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.
more than a decade apart, with only holiday greetings exchanged, Chad didn’t feel all that close to him anymore. Respect was the
we’re
out of his reverie and slowly
mansion, its seclusion striking an impressive contrast to
estate, easily rivals the grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s Silverlake
Chad Abernathy’s been living it up abroad. This place must’ve cost hundreds
“Nonsense.”
thinned, his competitive streak flaring up,
realized his gaffe and scratched his head
of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy
door for Thaddeus. As he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket,
a calming effect, easing some of the
apologies for not greeting you at a
slender and elegant, approaching them with grace. “I’m Alexia, Mr. Chad Abernathy’s personal doctor.”
as she extended her hand politely to Thaddeus, “I’m pleased
gaze fixed on her. This woman seemed familiar, yet after sifting through his
to meet
of respect for his brother, he quickly touched her hand, as if any longer and he
Abernathy has been waiting
“Sure.”
abruptly stated in a cold tone. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate is off–limits
deflated, his eyes filled with concern
Gordon, Thaddeus said
turned away, the smile in her eyes iced over to
away by that woman, Gordon stared at her
remained on Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved, her clothes fluttered, and the orchid–like scent lingered around him.
nice. What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly took an interest in a woman’s
her eyes like tempting hooks, “Would a busy man like Mr. Abernathy be interested in a woman’s vanity?”
used to be, but now that I have a significant other,
to hide his joy, “Could you tell me the brand? I’d like to get it for her as a gift
turned 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 rare incense made from local botanicals, nearly impossible to
see, Thaddeus‘ expression flickered, and he
he suddenly remembered where he had smelled that fragrance
every encounter, he had faintly detected this orchid scent clinging
perfume but a rare incense she could obtain probably due to his brother’s
get it? Did they know
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