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.
a decade apart, with only holiday greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t feel
Abernathy, we’re
reverie and
striking
estate, easily rivals the grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s
awe, “Looks like Mr. Chad Abernathy’s been living it up abroad. This place must’ve cost hundreds of
“Nonsense.”
flaring up,
gaffe and scratched his head
of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy was the best.
respectfully opening the car door for Thaddeus. As he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket, a
calming effect, easing some of the tension he
you at a
white gown, her figure slender and elegant, approaching them with
smile as she extended her hand politely to Thaddeus, “I’m pleased to
gaze fixed on her. This woman seemed familiar, yet after sifting through his memory, he
meet you.”
his brother, he quickly touched her hand, as if any longer and
waiting for you. Please, follow
“Sure.”
Alexia abruptly stated in a cold tone. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to anyone
looked deflated, his eyes filled with
car, Gordon, Thaddeus said quietly
Alexia turned away, the smile in her
being led away by that woman, Gordon stared at her retreating figure,
along the winding corridor. Thaddeus‘ cool gaze remained on Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved, her
Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly
like tempting hooks, “Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy be interested in a woman’s
that I
me the brand?
her face away, a shadow crossing her features, “I’m afraid 141 have to disappoint you, Mr. Abernathy. It’s not a perfume, but a
flickered, and he dropped the
asked her that because he suddenly remembered
faintly detected this orchid scent clinging to Avery, the same as Alexia’s.
incense she could
did Avery get it? Did they know each other? Or was it merely
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