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.
than a decade apart, with only holiday greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t feel all that close to him anymore. Respect
Abernathy, we’re
snapped out of his reverie and slowly lifted his gaze.
astonishing mansion, its seclusion striking an impressive contrast to the
rivals the grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s
Abernathy’s been living it up abroad. This place must’ve cost hundreds of
“Nonsense.”
flaring up, “It’s
realized his gaffe and scratched
totally smitten with Mrs. Abernathy, treasuring even a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy was the
opening the car door for Thaddeus. As he stepped out, buttoning up his
to have a calming effect, easing some of the tension he
not greeting you at a greater distance,” a
in a white gown, her figure slender and elegant, approaching them with grace. “I’m
her hand
composure, his sharp gaze fixed on her. This woman seemed familiar, yet after
meet you.”
her hand, as if any
Abernathy has been waiting for you. Please, follow me.”
“Sure.”
stated in a cold tone. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits to
his eyes filled with
car, Gordon, Thaddeus said
smile in her eyes
by that woman, Gordon stared at her retreating figure, feeling an
on Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved, her clothes fluttered, and the
smells quite nice. What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly took an interest in a
hooks, “Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy be interested in a woman’s
to be, but now that I have a significant
to hide his joy, “Could you tell me the brand? I’d like
her features, “I’m afraid 141 have to disappoint you, Mr. Abernathy. It’s not a perfume, but a rare incense made from local
see, Thaddeus‘ expression flickered, and he dropped the
he suddenly remembered where he had smelled
every encounter, he had faintly detected this orchid scent clinging to Avery, the
it wasn’t perfume but a rare incense she
Avery get it? Did they know each other? Or was it
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