Chapter 52 Thalia, do you still have feelings for William?
Chase noticed Thalia's sour expression and chuckled. "Thalia, once Ruby's by my side and claims you locked her up illegally, do you really think you'll still be in charge?"
"So what if you get the inheritance? You gonna spend it behind bars?"
Who betrayed her?
Who sold her out?
Thalia's eyes narrowed. William?
He'd just been humiliated in front of her; it wouldn't be surprising if he did something like this.
Thalia steadied herself and signaled Jada to pour her a glass of water. Standing by the couch, she took off her jacket.
As her clothes came off, the kiss marks on her body became visible, scattered chaotically across her pale skin.
"Guess how you know about this?"
Thalia lazily leaned back on the couch, taking the glass from Jada's hand, and gave Jada a casual glance, noticing her surprise.
Jada quickly looked away.
Thalia ordered, "Tell the guards at the gate to keep it secure. Don't let Mr. Smith have a chance to rescue his people."
"Thalia..." Chase was getting anxious. Was this all part of their plan?
The marks on Thalia's body didn't seem old, and her languid, seductive demeanor suggested she had just come from a man's embrace.
"Chase, calling you stupid is an understatement. Did you really think William is a good guy?"
"You..." Chase realized he had been set up and reached out to grab Thalia by the throat.
Thalia didn't dodge, instead, she smirked at him. "Just a warning, my house is under surveillance."
Chase quickly withdrew his hand.
Thalia watched him lazily, her eyes showing indifference.
"Just wait," Chase said before turning to leave.
Isla blocked his way at the door. "Thalia didn't say you could go."
"I respect Thalia, but who do you think you are?" Chase reached out to hit Isla.
But Isla caught his hand firmly.
Trained?
"You..."
"Isla, let Mr. Smith go."
Following Thalia's orders, Isla shoved Chase hard, causing him to stumble out the door.
As soon as Chase left, Thalia quickly pulled out her phone to call Grace.
...
Willowbrook Manor.
The doorbell rang, and a maid, hearing the sound, put down her work to answer it. At that moment, Grace's phone rang on the table.
The maid decided to take the phone to the kitchen first, handing it to Grace.
"Mrs. Smith, it's Ms. Smith."
Grace answered, "What's wrong?"
"Chase's people have found your place. Don't let them see Grandma, or they'll upset her again."
Grace was startled and stopped the maid from opening the door.
Chase's information network was quite efficient.
Grace put on a coat and opened the door, her eyes turning cold when she saw who was there.
"Did Chase send you?"
"Who sent us isn't important. What's important is we need to see someone."
"Do you know what trespassing is?"
"Trying to scare us?" The leading man sneered.
Grace smiled without saying a word. "Look behind you."
The man turned around and was shocked to see they were surrounded.
...
Early the next morning, Thalia went to find Nicholas.
Nicholas, still half-asleep, was dragged out of bed by Thalia.
He changed clothes, not even washing his face before getting into Thalia's SUV.
"Why are you up so early? What's the matter?"
"You mentioned a lawyer last time. Come with me."
"Where?"
"Guess."
"Abroad?" Nicholas was confused.
"Now."
"How? I didn't even bring my passport," Thalia's decisiveness was astonishing.
"That's why I drove to your house," she implied. "Hurry up and get it."
Nicholas, shocked, quickly got out of the car and went inside, calling William.
"Mr. Brown, what's going on with you and Thalia? She's pursuing you, and you won't help her?"
On the other end, William lazily replied, "What's it to you?"
"Thalia's at my door, wanting me to go abroad with her to find a lawyer."
William paused, fingers halting on the keyboard. "Who?"
"You know him, Richard Brown."
William's heart skipped a beat, veins bulging on his hand gripping the mouse.
"Say something!" Nicholas was getting anxious. "Don't be so stubborn. Anyone can see you like Thalia. Admit it. If she finds the right lawyer, she won't look at you again, let alone pursue you."
"Liking someone isn't shameful. Every man wants to conquer the woman who once rejected him. If Thalia likes you, it's your good fortune."
"Plus, with her dad gone, billions are at stake!"
"Think about it. Getting billions easily, isn't that exciting?"
"I..."
Nicholas suddenly stopped, seeing Thalia standing at the door with her arms crossed.
Thalia blinked. "Why'd you stop talking?"
Nicholas laughed. "Finished."
"With William?"
"Just chatting," Nicholas's mind was screaming.
"Ready to go?"
"Let's go!" If they didn't, Thalia might kill him.
...
In the car, Nicholas was restless, frequently glancing at Thalia but staying silent.
Thalia glanced at him. "What's wrong with your eyes? Or are you mute?"
"I'm just thinking about you and William. Thalia, do you still have feelings for him?"
Thalia rolled her eyes, ignoring his question.
"Can I ask why you went through so much trouble to get him, only to dump him?"
"He was poor."
In truth, when she pursued William in school, it was because of his good student aura—great grades, handsome, mysterious and silent, embodying the allure of a perfect, broken prince.
And Thalia had always loved beautiful things.
William, with his melancholic, mysterious prince vibe, seemed born for her.
The more thrilling the chase, the more boring it became once she succeeded. The novelty wore off quickly.
So, they "officially" dated for less than a day before she dumped him.
"Then why pursue him now?" Nicholas couldn't understand.
"Because I'm stupid..."