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.
decade apart, with only holiday greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t feel
we’re here!”
out of his reverie and
astonishing mansion, its seclusion striking
rivals the grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s Silverlake
like Mr. Chad Abernathy’s been living it
“Nonsense.”
competitive streak flaring up, “It’s nothing
his gaffe and
with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy
out first, respectfully opening the car door for Thaddeus. As he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket, a delicate fragrance wafted towards him, reminiscent of the subtle
effect, easing some of
you at a greater distance,” a cool and soothing female
her figure slender and elegant, approaching them with
her hand politely
woman seemed familiar, yet after sifting through his memory, he
to meet
he quickly touched her hand, as if any longer and he
been waiting for you. Please,
“Sure.”
but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to anyone but family and invited guests. Your
eyes filled with concern for Thaddeus.
the car, Gordon, Thaddeus said quietly
Alexia turned away, the smile in her eyes iced over to a chilling
being led away by that woman, Gordon stared at her retreating figure, feeling an inexplicable
one after the other along the winding corridor. Thaddeus‘ cool gaze remained on Alexia, his suspicions growing.
nice. What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly took an interest
like tempting hooks, “Would a
that I have a significant
curled up, unable to hide his joy, “Could you tell me
141 have to disappoint you, Mr. Abernathy. It’s not a perfume, but a rare
flickered, and he dropped the subject.
he suddenly remembered where he
in every encounter, he had faintly detected this orchid scent clinging to Avery, the same as Alexia’s.
she could
it? Did they know each other? Or
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