Chapter 99 Who's Coming So Late?
"A woman who got dumped, where does she get off acting all high and mighty in front of me? Just wait until her dad kicks the bucket, then I'll see if Thalia can still keep her head up in Emerald City. Bet the guys here will be lining up to take turns with her.”
"Bitch.”
Elowen spat out the curse, seething with rage.
Eleanor stood at the doorway, listening to the shouting with a detached expression.
She turned and walked away.
"Ms. Mitchell,"a servant called out as she came downstairs.
Eleanor responded calmly, showing no emotion.
Elowen, humiliated by Thalia, felt even worse dealing with Eleanor's aloofness at home. She quickly changed her clothes and headed to the bar.
The bar was buzzing with energy.
Elowen had just returned to Emerald City and was unaware of the social dynamics here. She didn't know this bar was a favorite hangout for some of the city's elite.
She had just sat down when she heard someone nearby speak, "Mr. Wood, aren't you heading home? It's late. Be careful, your pregnant wife might come looking for you.”
Thalia's ex-boyfriend's last name was Wood. Rumor had it he got involved with his secretary and got her pregnant, betraying Thalia. Could it be this guy right here?
Elowen held her drink and glanced at the man beside her from the corner of her eye.
Walter's face darkened at the comment and he shot the speaker a cold look.
The person awkwardly rubbed his nose and walked away.
As he moved further, he continued, "What's so special about him? He still ended up with a secretary.”
The traditional elite of Emerald City looked down on men who got involved with their secretaries.
"Don't say that. At least he's still part of the Wood family.”
"So what? Everyone knows Thalia left him for William. Who's William? He controls half of Emerald City's business world, someone we can't even dream of reaching. And look at him, he's got a wife and kid but can't enjoy a warm family life, and he's here drinking every day, embarrassing himself.”
"A secretary, no matter how beautiful, can't compare to the princess of Emerald City.”
"Trading gold for dust.”
Walter listened to the disdainful voices as they faded away. Ever since he and Thalia split, his social circle seemed cursed.
Everyone looked down on him.
Walter put down his glass and stood up, swaying slightly. Elowen, afraid the drunk man might bump into her, moved aside.
She had planned to chat about Thalia, but seeing him so drunk, she decided against it.
"Was that guy from the Wood family?"Elowen asked the bartender. The bartender nodded, "Yep, that's the infamous Mr. Wood from Emerald City.”
"What happened?”
"His ex-girlfriend stripped him naked in public, making him walk out without a stitch.”
"Seriously?"Elowen was shocked.
"Absolutely.”
Elowen glanced at the retreating figure of Walter.
Her eyes darkened.
Walter staggered to his car, startling the driver who was playing a game.
"Mr. Wood, heading home?”
"Go to the Smith Villa.”
"What?"The driver was stunned. Was it the Smith Villa he was thinking of?
"Didn't you hear me? Go to the Smith Villa.”
The driver, seeing Walter's anger, didn't dare delay and drove straight to the Smith Villa.
Thalia got back to the Smith Villa, changed her clothes, and called Layla to check on the crew.
Layla sighed, "Luckily, we've worked with the director a bunch. He knows your skill and talent. He said he'll shoot the male lead's scenes first and save yours for later. Try to sort out your family stuff in the next few days.”
"Thalia, we can't delay any longer. If we do, this show won't air this year.”
Layla was clearly stressed.
The TV shows and movies Thalia was currently in were all opportunities given by Hayden. Now that Hayden was dying, Thalia hadn't received any new offers for three months.
The weird thing was, despite the positive response to her current shows, no new gigs were coming her way.
If this kept up, the company would tank.
"I know, don't worry,"Thalia said irritably, tossing her phone aside.
She turned and saw Grace standing at the door, which startled her. "You scared me, Grace.”
"Problems at work?”
"Yeah, the whole entertainment industry knows my dad is dying. Who would give me any resources? I haven't had new work for three months.”
Thalia sighed as she spoke.
A star without roles was terrifying.
Anxiety!
"Normally, with your talent and dedication, you shouldn't be lacking in opportunities. Is someone sabotaging you?”
Thalia: ……
"Who do you think it is?”
"William?"Grace suspected William wasn't as gentlemanly as he appeared.
He was cunning and deceitful. He wanted Thalia, and if he couldn't have her, he wouldn't give up easily.
"Great, another reason to get rid of him.”
Thalia finished her shower, put on her pajamas, and headed to Hayden's study to look for anything useful.
Just as she reached the study door, the doorbell rang downstairs.
"Who could it be at this hour?”
"Ms. Smith, it's Mr. Wood. He seems drunk and is at the door.”
Thalia adjusted her shawl, "Who?”
"Walter.”
Thalia's face darkened at the mention of Walter.
She stared at the door, her eyes practically blazing.
"Ignore him.”
The door was being pounded.
And Walter was shouting loudly outside.
"Thalia, come out. I need to talk to you.”
"Thalia.”
"Who's knocking?"Grace asked, freshly showered.
Thalia glanced at her, "My ex-boyfriend.”
Grace felt nauseous. Hearing Walter's name made her sick. "Aren't there guards at the door? Have them throw him out.”
"Wait, we don't need to get involved.”
…
That night, Wesley came home to find Aria sitting alone in the living room, with no sign of Walter.
"Out drinking again? Didn't I tell you to keep him from going out drinking?”
Aria lowered her head, feeling reprimanded.
She looked like a bullied socialite wife.
Seeing this, Wesley's anger flared.
"You—"He was about to scold her when Aria's phone rang. He watched her pick up.
"Ms. Smith? What did you say?”
Aria's words made Wesley pause on the stairs.
Wesley looked at her as she hung up, "Thalia? Why did she call you?”
"Ms. Smith said Walter is at her door, banging on it. She wants us to come get him or she'll call the cops.”
Wesley's face turned dark with anger, "This is ridiculous.”