Chapter 81 Mr. Brown, Thalia is Missing
Linda's eyes were practically on fire, and any thought of using the restroom vanished from their minds. They spun around and left in a hurry. Everyone in the industry knew Andrew's fans were out of control because Linda, his manager, let them be.
Outsiders might not get it, but everyone in the biz knew the score.
Linda had pulled all kinds of shady stunts using Andrew's name.
Did she even see Andrew as a person? To her, he was just a cash cow, and now Thalia had taken that cow away.
As Linda watched the two leave, a thought hit her: Thalia was here too?
And Gregory had taken the role Andrew was supposed to have?
Andrew always worked on big-budget films. When did he start eyeing TV dramas?
"Linda? What's on your mind?" Nora, who was eating with Linda, noticed she'd been gone a while and came to check on her.
"Nothing, just overheard some people talking trash."
Nora let it go and said, "I think I saw Thalia through the door of a private room when I came over."
"Is her crew eating nearby too?" Linda asked.
Nora thought for a second. "Probably. I heard director Aaron Hill invited Gregory."
She had figured that without Hayden, Thalia's industry connections would dry up.
But not only did they not dry up, they seemed to be getting better.
Gregory was a big deal in the industry.
Directors were practically begging to work with him.
Gregory, who had always done movies, was now dipping his toes into TV dramas, and his first project was with Thalia.
If this show became a hit, Thalia's status in the industry would skyrocket. She'd be untouchable.
The more Nora thought about it, the more her expression darkened.
"Who would've thought Thalia had such luck."
"Are we just gonna let this slide? Andrew's been hiding from the media lately because of Thalia. Why should she get away with it and keep her spot in the industry?"
"You should…"
Nora's eyes lit up at Linda's words. "You're right. You know how to deal with people like her."
Thalia finished her meal in the private room and was about to leave with her group when a waiter carrying a glass of juice bumped into her.
Thalia was startled and instinctively wanted to shout, but she held back, remembering the crew was present.
"I'm so sorry, it was an accident."
Thalia looked at the waiter with irritation, then at her now-stained dress. "I won't even mention how expensive this dress is, but as a waiter, shouldn't you be more careful?"
"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."
Just as Thalia was about to say something, Aaron, knowing her temper, stepped in. He didn't want any incidents that could lead to bad press and force them to replace their lead actress.
"Go clean up in the restroom. We'll take care of this."
Thalia understood Aaron's intention and pressed her lips together, choosing not to say anything more.
"Go ahead without me. Don't wait around," Thalia instructed her group.
She then called Isla, who should have been on her way.
"Someone's picking you up?" Aaron asked.
"Yeah, my assistant is coming."
When Aaron and the others finished their business and stepped outside, they spotted Isla's car in the parking lot and went over to inform her.
Isla thanked them and waited outside for Thalia.
After waiting for a while and not seeing Thalia, Isla started to feel uneasy.
Recalling a previous incident, Isla headed straight to the restroom.
"Thalia?"
"Thalia?"
She called out several times but got no response.
Inside one of the stalls, Nora and Linda were struggling to figure out how to drag the unconscious Thalia out when they heard Isla's voice.
"Didn't you say her group had left?" Linda whispered to Nora.
Nora frowned. "I saw them leave. That's why I came in."
"Thalia?" Isla was still calling out, pushing open stall doors to check.
When she reached the locked stall, a thought crossed her mind.
Just as she was about to kick the door in, someone inside shouted, "Who's there? Can't a person use the bathroom in peace?"
Isla lowered her raised foot.
She searched the restroom but couldn't find Thalia.
As she was about to run out to find the hotel manager, she saw William, surrounded by a group of business elites.
Isla ran over like she had seen a savior. "Mr. Brown!"
"Thalia is missing."
"She went to the restroom during dinner with the director, but I couldn't find her there."
Finn, standing behind the group, saw Isla clinging to William's arm, out of breath, and quickly approached. "I'll go with you to check."
Isla looked at William, then at Finn.
William nodded. "Let Finn go with you."
William's face was stern, revealing no emotion. Isla, led away by Finn, was puzzled. "Does Mr. Brown like Thalia or not?"
"If he did, how could he stay so calm when she's in trouble?"
Finn, worried Isla might say something to Thalia, explained, "Mr. Brown's meeting tonight is important. Once Ms. Jolie arrives, he'll come."
Isla nodded, somewhat understanding.
William was meeting a long-awaited business partner, making tonight's dinner crucial. He hadn't expected Thalia to get into trouble.
Thalia was still too weak, constantly getting into trouble.
…
"Let's go."
"Just like that?"
Nora was unwilling. They had Thalia unconscious. If they didn't act now, it would be harder once Thalia became cautious.
"Do you think her assistant hasn't already called for help? If we're found, do you still want to stay in the industry?"
Linda's long-term thinking made sense, and Nora quickly sobered up.
"Let's climb out the window. There are no cameras in the back. The front entrance is too risky."
Just as they left, someone pushed open the restroom door.