Chapter 44 Tell William if he doesn't want to be my husband, he can be my dad
In the ER
Thalia paced anxiously outside the curtain.
"Thalia, the doctor said it's not serious. Try not to worry," Isla reassured her.
Thalia glanced at Isla, her eyes filled with guilt, cheeks flushed. She seemed like she wanted to say something but hesitated, her worry evident.
The curtain was pulled open.
Thalia rushed over. "Doctor, how is he?"
"His shoulder blade is broken. We'll need to set it and arrange for surgery. Are any family members here to sign the consent form?"
...
Thalia was putting on a show, trying to immerse herself in feelings of guilt.
Suddenly, a cup of coffee was handed to her.
"Remember me? I'm William's sister, Amara."
"I treated you last time you got hurt."
Thalia nodded. She knew everything about William's family, even the name of their dog.
"You look tired," Amara said, raising the coffee cup.
Thalia thought, Of course, I'm tired. I was with William until 4 AM, then had to be on set in the morning, and now this. I'm exhausted.
"No, thanks."
"No reporters," Amara said with a mischievous smile, seeing right through Thalia.
Thalia's face showed a brief moment of embarrassment.
"William didn't come with you?"
"It's Monday."
"What do you mean?" Amara asked, puzzled.
"On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, your brother is with me. On Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, he's with someone else. Sundays, he spends with your parents."
Amara: ...interesting.
"That's quite the arrangement."
Thalia casually flipped her hair. "It's not so bad."
Not so bad?
No wonder people said that after Thalia met Hayden, no other man compared. As long as the men she was with didn't bring her any trouble, they could do whatever they wanted.
Thalia left the hospital in the early hours and collapsed into the back of her car.
"I'm exhausted. What's the update from the police?" she asked.
"They haven't caught anyone," Layla replied, equally tired, having to constantly monitor Facebook for any uncontrollable news.
"Where to tonight?" Isla asked.
Layla answered for Thalia without turning around. "Back to Sunset Grove Villas. Let me stay the night. If I go home now, it'll be morning by the time I get there."
Layla then remembered something and looked at Thalia. "You're not planning to see a man at this hour, are you?"
"Do I look like I have the energy?" Thalia kicked off her high heels as her phone rang.
"Still up?"
"Did you get William?"
"Halfway."
"What's halfway? Either you got him, or you didn't. How long has it been, and you still haven't secured a man? Losing your charm?"
"Or are you planning to beg?"
"Grace, if you think you can do better, go tell William to be my husband or my dad."
Layla: ...
Isla: ...that's wicked.
"What's wrong?" Grace sensed Thalia's impatience.
"Nothing. Bye."
Thalia hung up, fuming. She was already exhausted and now had to deal with Grace's nagging.
Thalia picked up her phone again. "Account ending in 0999 received $500,000."
Thalia: ...
Grace's most commendable trait was her generosity with money.
Layla saw Thalia staring at her phone and peered over. "Mother-daughter bond, I'm jealous."
...
Sunset Blvd Villas
Chase had just gotten out of the car when someone approached him. "Mr. Smith, we haven't been able to reach the higher-ups at the Celestia Group."
"What do you mean?"
The Celestia Group was a major player in Emerald City, spanning various international industries. Rumor had it they were opening a branch in Emerald City, and many local businessmen had their eyes on the project.
Chase was no exception.
His secretary, Iris, hesitated under his questioning.
"You..."
"Mrs. Smith."
Chase was about to give instructions when Iris saw Elizabeth standing at the door in her robe. She greeted them politely.
Elizabeth nodded in response.
Chase entered the house, and Elizabeth's gaze wavered.
"Dad, there's lipstick on your collar."
"It's not Mom's lipstick," Elizabeth retorted.
Chase's expression darkened as he carried Raina Smith upstairs.
As he turned into the bedroom, he saw Elizabeth doing her skincare routine. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"What nonsense? If telling the truth is nonsense, then I admit it."
"You—"
Elizabeth sneered. "If you don't want your son to turn out like you, you should set a better example. Do you want to repeat what your father did?"
"Watch your tone."
Elizabeth's words insulted three generations of their family, showing no manners.
"Then stay away from me."
The next morning, William returned from a business trip and went straight to the office, his shirt wrinkled from two days of wear, tarnishing his polished image.
"Boss, how's Ms. Smith?"
"Right! How is she?"
William washed his hands in the office bathroom, frowning at Brian. "What do you mean?"
"You don't know? Ms. Smith was in an incident."
"I bet it was Andrew's fans. They're notorious for their behavior. Any woman they dislike gets harassed, and this time they took it further, throwing a flowerpot from above. It's dangerous."
William watched the video on his computer, understanding the situation through Brian's animated explanation.
When he called Thalia, there was no answer.
He called again, still no answer.
"Boss, if she doesn't pick up, go see her. You don't have court this morning," Brian suggested.
"Ms. Smith went through a lot yesterday. She must be upset. If you don't check on her, another man might. Someone like Ms. Smith, who grew up sheltered, isn't used to such turmoil."
"She needs comfort now, boss..."
"Thalia didn't send your afternoon tea today, did she?"
Brian: ...busted.