Chapter 38 Andrew
"Annoyed?" Evelyn asked, clinking her glass against Thalia's.
"Nope."
"Then what's on your mind? You look so serious."
"I was just thinking about how cool William looked when he kicked earlier."
"Totally dreamy."
Evelyn rolled her eyes. "You're head over heels."
"Do you think he likes me?"
"Let's hit the deck," Evelyn said, dragging Thalia along.
Thalia was confused. "Why? It's freezing out there."
"To clear the nonsense out of your head!"
Thalia sighed.
William's kick tonight made it clear to everyone in Emerald City that he was protecting Thalia.
The Smith family without Hayden wasn't scary.
But William's presence in Emerald City was truly intimidating.
Just a few days ago, he had Matthew legally thrown into jail and roughed up in the detention center. Most people in Emerald City were terrified.
But then again, he was the top dog in the legal world.
There were few people in the history of Emerald City's business world who had risen to the top from scratch in just a few years.
"I heard them talking just now. Walter is living it up overseas."
Thalia's hand trembled as she scrolled through her phone. "How carefree?"
"More than you. He's got his wife and kids with him, while you're stuck dealing with inheritance and men. Tough life!"
Thalia took a deep breath. "A general doesn't chase after rabbits. I'll let him enjoy for now, but I will get my revenge."
If it weren't for Walter, she wouldn't be in this mess.
...
William left the cruise ship late into the night.
When he got home and opened the door, his eyes fell on the guest room. He could vaguely remember what had happened the night before.
He pushed the door open and stood there for a while, staring at the bright red stain on the bedsheet.
It felt unreal.
"Troublemaker," he muttered.
William closed the guest room door and went to his study. When he opened the desk drawer, it was filled with love letters.
The past seemed to flash before his eyes, and he saw the carefree Thalia walking up to him with a love letter in her hand.
Thalia was quick to act. She had Nicholas's contact information and reached out to him that very night.
Just as she was about to delve deeper into the conversation, her phone rang.
"Ruby's back?" Chase's voice came through.
"When did she get back?" she played dumb.
"Thalia, don't push it. You moved Dad, and now you want to move Grandma too? Do you want me to call the police and report you for illegal detention?"
Chase was anxious. He had worked hard to bring Ruby back, and now she was gone before he even got to see her. Who else but Thalia could pull this off?
"Go ahead! Let everyone know the Smith family's situation. Let those who envy us tear the company apart, and we won't get a cent."
"Your logistics park loses tens of millions of dollars every year. That's real money! Without it, you'd be bankrupt in no time. If I were you, I'd behave."
"Illegal detention? That's my grandma. Isn't it natural for me to be filial?"
If it weren't for Hayden trying to keep him busy with a business, he wouldn't even have a stake in the logistics park.
"Idiot," Thalia muttered, tossing her phone aside.
She wrapped herself in a blanket and fell asleep.
Before dawn the next day, Thalia was dragged out of bed.
"Wash your face and wake up. You can sleep in the car."
"What's going on?"
"Your new show starts filming today. You need to get to the set. Have you gone crazy recently? Do you even know you're joining a production?"
Thalia groaned.
In the car, Thalia was exhausted and barely paid attention to a word Layla said.
It wasn't until they reached the studio gates that she grabbed Layla's arm and spoke seriously. "You're the lead actress. Andrew Anderson is the lead actor. But remember, keep your distance from him. The last person who got too close isn't even in the industry anymore."
"That bad?" Thalia perked up at the hint of gossip.
"Andrew's fans are fiercely protective. Stay away from him."
Thalia's face was alluring wherever she went, even if she did nothing.
Andrew might seem gentle and scandal-free in the entertainment world, but his fans were a force to be reckoned with.
Thalia's role in this drama was a fallen princess, a vibrant yet tragic character, a strong female lead.
Andrew played a nurturing, powerful figure.
They had many scenes together, but Layla's warning made Thalia keep her distance from Andrew.
The first two days on set were spent filming supporting roles. Thalia and Andrew were learning fight choreography from the stunt coordinator.
"Thalia," the director handed her a wooden sword.
Thalia examined it. "Do I have to follow your moves exactly?"
"If you know what you're doing, you don't have to."
Thalia nodded. "Shall we try?"
"You and Andrew..."
"No way," Thalia refused, sounding a bit disdainful.
The stunt coordinator was taken aback.
Andrew wondered if he had offended her.
Realizing her mistake, Thalia quickly added, "I mean, I might hurt Andrew."
"No worries," Andrew reassured her.
Thalia rolled her eyes internally. Of course, you're not worried. It's your fans who are the problem.
"Let's stick with the director."
When they faced off with the wooden swords, Thalia's moves were sharp and decisive, forcing the director to retreat repeatedly. She moved like someone with experience.
The director was stunned. "Have you trained?"
"Not long. I kept getting chased, so I found a teacher for a crash course."
Andrew was surprised. He had heard about the Smith family's troubles.
Thalia might be Emerald City's princess, but on set, she wasn't as bad as people said.
The director awkwardly rubbed his nose. "Don't worry. In this industry, talent matters. Good acting lasts."
Thalia thought the reassurance was weak but appreciated the effort.
"Thank you, director."
"Thalia..." Andrew tried to strike up a conversation.
Thalia looked at him in horror and bolted, as if she had seen a ghost.
Andrew's impression of Thalia was shaped by socialite gossip. Her name always came up at events, never in a good light.
Spoiled, arrogant, cold, and selfish were her usual labels.
Meeting her now, he saw a different side.
"Am I that scary?"
Andrew glanced at the director.
The director shook his head. "You're not scary. Your fans are. Any woman wanting a long career in this industry would stay far away from you."
Andrew sighed.
The first scene on set was Thalia, in regal attire, witnessing her parents' execution in the grand hall.
No lines, just pure emotion through her eyes.
The director explained the scene to Thalia. "Stumble as you run in, then look at the bodies on the floor. Let the despair, heartbreak, and helplessness show."
Thalia listened intently and nodded.
"Can she handle it?" someone questioned.
Another person scoffed. "New here? Thalia's acting is top-notch among new actors. She was the top student in her class."
"Don't kid me. Everyone knows she got into college because her dad donated a building."
The explainer rolled their eyes, tired of arguing.
"Just watch and see!"