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 close to him
we’re
out of his reverie and slowly lifted his gaze.
mansion, its seclusion striking an impressive contrast to
some estate, easily rivals the grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s
living it up abroad. This place must’ve cost
“Nonsense.”
thinned, his competitive streak flaring up,
realized his gaffe and scratched his head
totally smitten with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything
out, buttoning up
seemed to have a calming effect, easing some of the
not greeting you at a greater distance,” a cool and soothing female voice approached him.
slender and elegant, approaching them with grace.
eyes curved up in a smile as she extended her hand politely to Thaddeus, “I’m pleased to
his sharp gaze fixed on her. This woman seemed familiar, yet after sifting through his memory, he couldn’t recall ever meeting her.
meet
hand, as if any longer and he might
Chad Abernathy has been waiting
“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 wait
looked deflated, his eyes filled
car, Gordon, Thaddeus said quietly
smile in her eyes
away by that woman, Gordon stared
Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she
What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly took an interest in a woman’s
back with a light smile, her eyes like tempting hooks, “Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy be interested in a woman’s vanity?”
now that I have a significant
up, unable to hide his joy, “Could you tell me the brand? I’d like to get it for her as a gift when I return.”
features, “I’m afraid 141 have to disappoint you, Mr. Abernathy. It’s not a perfume, but a rare incense made from local botanicals, nearly impossible
expression flickered,
her that because he suddenly remembered where he had smelled that fragrance
every encounter, he had faintly detected this
incense she could obtain probably due to his brother’s favor.
Avery get it? Did they know each
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