Chapter 165 Hayden Wakes Up
"Did you see the trending topic?" Thalia asked.
Layla adjusted the cushions on the single sofa beside her and sat down. "I asked around. The director said Gregory was so impressed by your performance yesterday that he asked them for the footage, then posted it online. That's how it ended up trending."
"Gregory manages his own Facebook. He barely posts a few times a year, but as soon as he shared your video yesterday, it shot straight to the top of the trending list. Now tons of people online are editing clips from your old TV shows."
"So what do you think—was Gregory being intentional or not?"
Layla sensed something was off. "Has something been going on between you two lately?"
Thalia told her about what happened at the banquet hall last night.
Layla fell silent, thinking it over. The most common thing people said about Gregory was how aloof he was.
"Maybe he's trying to return a favor?"
"Really? What favor would he need to return?"
"Feel him out during filming today."
......
The Wood Villa.
When Emma saw the news, she was so furious she smashed the cup in her hand.
"Let me out! I need to go deal with Thalia."
"Do you hear me? Are you people deaf? Open the door and let me out!" Emma pounded on the door and yelled, scaring the guards outside into silence. They all cowered like quails.
Wesley had taken her away before last night's banquet even ended.
She'd wanted to network and expand her circle, but Emma's stupid brain had to go and provoke Thalia.
And Thalia never let a grudge go—she fought back right there without caring about anyone's reputation. This fight put the Wood family in the spotlight: the son was an idiot, the daughter was boy-crazy. The Wood family business was bound to be ruined by these two.
Wesley was livid and took Emma away on the spot.
As soon as they got home, he locked her up.
Aria stood at the bottom of the stairs, her pregnant belly showing, listening to Emma frantically pounding on the door. Walter walked past her from behind and sneered, "Don't stick your nose where it doesn't belong."
Aria suppressed her worried expression and walked to the bar to pour Walter a glass of water. Walter took the glass and drank, chuckling. "You've really learned to behave lately."
"You know how to serve people now."
Aria obediently lowered her head without speaking.
That afternoon, Thalia went to the set. She was sitting in the makeup room getting her makeup done when Evelyn called.
"I heard Emma's dad locked her up. How exciting."
"An idiot like that should've been locked up ages ago. Letting her out just embarrasses the family."
Thalia heard noisy sounds on the other end and asked curiously, "Where are you?"
"Aurora Tower. Nicholas organized a get-together, invited everyone for drinks. Not sure who all's here."
Thalia raised an eyebrow. "Since when are you two so close?"
Evelyn scoffed. "What close? Everyone's just in it for themselves, right?"
The wealthy kids in Emerald City were split into two groups: one that just partied and fooled around living off their family money, and another like Evelyn and Thalia who built their own careers. The two groups couldn't stand each other, and their occasional fights had become part of the scene's culture.
"I want to go out and have fun too," Thalia moaned, feeling like it had been forever since she'd relaxed and enjoyed herself.
Evelyn laughed. "Just focus on your filming! I heard that Gregory, who barely posts on Facebook once a year, personally posted about you yesterday. This morning your Facebook followers were just over two million, but after the movie star's one post, you're almost at five million."
"You know how many people try to get on Gregory's good side? He doesn't need me. He's definitely just trying to mooch my coffee machine."
Evelyn laughed at that. "Is your coffee machine something special?"
The makeup artist couldn't help but laugh listening to their conversation.
.......
Thalia filmed night scenes at the studio for three straight days and got two days off.
On the drive back to Mistwood Hill with John, Thalia unexpectedly got a call from Grace.
As she stepped through the door of the Smith Villa, she saw Grace coming out to greet her with a big smile.
"Did you find money or something?"
"Go inside and see for yourself."
Grace urged her in. As soon as Thalia entered and saw the person sitting in the wheelchair, she nearly collapsed. "Dad..."
Was this for real? Her thoughts had come true.
Hayden was okay again?
He wasn't dying? She'd trapped herself, and now he was alive?
"Are you surprised to see me still alive, Thalia?" Hayden had been unconscious for so long that his voice was a bit hoarse when he spoke.
Thalia's heart was pounding like a heart attack patient's, almost bursting out of her chest. She pinched her palm and swallowed hard.
"Dad, what are you saying? You have no idea how people in Emerald City have been bullying me since you fell into a coma."
"I haven't gotten a single commercial in three months. The company's about to go under."
Thalia complained sweetly, moving close to Hayden's legs and rubbing against his arm like a cat.
Seeing Thalia like this, Hayden smiled slightly. "As long as Dad's alive, they can't bully you."
"That's wonderful."
Thalia was about to sweet-talk him when she heard Hayden ask, "While I was unconscious all this time, did Eleanor contact you?"
Grace came over with a glass of water and medicine. Hearing Hayden's question, she suddenly wanted to throw the medicine in the trash.
Thalia's desire to sweet-talk him faded. "I've seen her a few times. She never mentioned you."
"Tell her to come see me!"
Thalia didn't understand what Hayden meant, but she could guess what he wanted to do.
She glanced at Timothy nearby.
Timothy shook his head.
Thalia calmed her emotions and nodded. "I'll call her."
Six-thirty.
When Eleanor got Thalia's call, she was surprised. "Who wants to see me?"
"Your dad. Your real dad."
Thalia beckoned to John in the yard. He walked over, and Thalia reached into his pocket, silently mouthing the word: cigarette.
John knew Thalia smoked.
John pulled out a cigarette and handed it to her, then cupped his hands around his lighter to light it for her.
"I'm busy."
"Come or don't come, I don't care. You'd better stay busy forever."
Thalia hung up the phone and stood in the yard smoking a few puffs before tossing the half-finished cigarette into the trash.
She was about to turn and go back inside when she heard Grace's panicked shouts from the house. "Hayden, what's wrong? Don't scare me! Dr. King!"