Chapter 649
After a few rings, the call connected.
“Thaddeus, I’m honestly surprised and delighted you’d call me,” Chad’s voice was as warm and kind as ever, though tinged with a hint of frailty.
“Chad, how have you been holding up?”
Thaddeus, by nature, wanted to cut straight to the chase, but desperate times called for some pleasantries first.
“Oh, same old. Popping pills like candy just to keep ticking, so much so I’m practically balding.”
Chad cracked a joke, “Tell me, Thaddeus, next time we meet, do you reckon I’ll look like I’m sporting a monk’s tonsure?” “Chad, I’m actually in this country,” Thaddeus replied seriously, not in the mood for banter.
“Oh? Really? When did you get in?”
“Night before last.”
Thaddeus took a deep breath and spoke in a low tone, “Chad, I’ve got something serious to discuss. Can we meet?”
That evening, Thaddeus and Gordon drove to the address Chad had provided. All the way there, Thaddeus‘ jaw was set in a firm line.
Though they were brothers by blood and had got on well in their youth, and despite not sharing the same mother, his older brother had taken care of him a lot.
after more than a decade apart, with only holiday greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t feel all that
Abernathy, we’re here!”
out of his reverie and slowly lifted
astonishing mansion, its seclusion striking an
grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s
awe, “Looks like Mr. Chad Abernathy’s been living
“Nonsense.”
up, “It’s nothing compared to Evadne’s place.”
and scratched his
smitten with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy was the
for Thaddeus. As he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket, a delicate fragrance wafted towards him, reminiscent of
effect, easing some of the tension he
Abernathy, my apologies for not greeting you at a greater distance,” a cool
saw a woman in a white gown, her figure slender and elegant, approaching them with grace. “I’m
extended her hand politely to Thaddeus, “I’m pleased to meet you,
This woman seemed familiar,
to meet
quickly touched her hand, as
Chad Abernathy has been waiting
“Sure.”
sorry, but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to anyone but family and
filled
Gordon, Thaddeus said
smile in her eyes iced
woman, Gordon stared at her retreating
Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved, her clothes fluttered, and the orchid–like scent lingered around him.
your perfume smells quite nice. What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly took an
“Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy
to be, but now that I have a significant
me the brand? I’d like to get it for her as
Mr. Abernathy. It’s not a perfume, but a rare incense
see, Thaddeus‘ expression flickered, and he dropped the
he suddenly remembered where he had
this orchid
incense she could
Did they know each other? Or was it merely
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