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 all that close
Abernathy, we’re here!”
out of his reverie and slowly
striking an impressive
easily rivals the grandeur of Mrs. Abernathy’s Silverlake
living it up abroad.
“Nonsense.”
streak flaring up, “It’s nothing compared to
gaffe and scratched his head awkwardly.
even a strand of her hair. In his eyes, everything about Mrs. Abernathy was
the car door for Thaddeus. As he stepped out, buttoning up his suit jacket, a delicate fragrance wafted towards him, reminiscent of the subtle
seemed to have a calming effect, easing some of the tension
my apologies for not greeting you at a greater
her figure slender and elegant,
up in a smile as she extended her hand politely to Thaddeus, “I’m pleased to meet you,
his composure, his sharp gaze fixed on her. This woman seemed familiar, yet after sifting through
meet you.”
quickly touched her hand,
been waiting for you. Please, follow
“Sure.”
cold tone. “I’m sorry, but Mr. Chad Abernathy’s estate
looked deflated, his eyes filled
Gordon, Thaddeus said
the smile in her eyes iced over to
away by that woman, Gordon stared at her
Alexia, his suspicions growing. As she moved, her clothes fluttered, and the orchid–like
perfume smells quite nice. What brand is it?” Thaddeus, ever the blunt businessman, surprisingly took
her eyes like tempting hooks, “Would a busy man like
that I have a significant
curled up, unable to hide his joy, “Could you tell me
afraid 141 have to disappoint you, Mr. Abernathy. It’s not a perfume, but a rare incense made
flickered, and
asked her that because he suddenly remembered
this orchid scent clinging to Avery, the same
rare incense she could obtain probably due
did Avery get it? Did they know each other? Or was it merely a coincidence?
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
The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!