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.
Chad didn’t feel all that close to him anymore. Respect was the predominant sentiment.
Abernathy, we’re
of his reverie and slowly lifted his gaze.
mansion, its seclusion striking an
easily rivals the grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s
“Looks like Mr. Chad Abernathy’s been living it up abroad. This
“Nonsense.”
competitive streak flaring up, “It’s
gaffe and
smitten with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of her hair. In his eyes,
out, buttoning up his suit jacket, a delicate fragrance wafted towards him,
effect, easing some of the
Thaddeus Abernathy, my apologies for not greeting you at a greater distance,”
slender and
eyes curved up in a smile as she extended her hand politely to
woman seemed familiar,
meet you.”
her hand,
waiting for you.
“Sure.”
in a cold tone. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to anyone but family and invited guests. Your secretary will have to
his eyes filled with concern
Gordon, Thaddeus
the smile in her eyes iced over to
being led away by that woman, Gordon stared at her retreating figure, feeling an
walked one after the other along the winding corridor. Thaddeus‘ cool gaze remained on Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved, her clothes fluttered, and the orchid–like scent
your perfume smells quite nice. What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever
back with a light smile, her eyes like tempting hooks, “Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy be interested in a
now that I have a significant other, it’s
you tell me the brand? I’d like to get
to disappoint you, Mr. Abernathy. It’s not a perfume, but a rare incense made from local botanicals,
see, Thaddeus‘ expression flickered, and he dropped the
remembered where he had smelled that
every encounter, he had faintly detected this orchid scent clinging to Avery, the
said it wasn’t perfume but a rare incense she
know each other? Or was it
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