Chapter 183 Deal with Walter First
As the security guard's voice called out from the entrance, Thalia turned around to see a transparent container truck parked at the entrance of the production crew.
Clearly visible inside were 9,999 large rose bouquets.
In the entertainment industry, it wasn't uncommon for wealthy men to pursue actresses, sending flowers and sports cars. But everyone usually kept it low-key.
They didn't dare be too flashy about it - after all, it wouldn't look good if word got out. But today, these flowers were placed in a transparent truck bed, transported all the way from downtown to the film studio. Countless people must have seen them along the way, and now someone was loudly calling out Thalia's name.
Thalia's morning joy from teasing William instantly vanished, her face turning cold and hard. "Who sent them?"
"Not sure, someone asked me to deliver them."
Thalia scoffed. "I don't accept things from unknown sources. Take them away."
"But..."
"But what? But someone paid you to make sure they're delivered to the person? Why don't you ask around if there's anyone else here named Thalia?"
The delivery person looked troubled. "Ms. Smith, you're making this difficult for me! You're a big star - why make things hard for us working folks?"
Thalia scoffed again. "That's rich. Who isn't a working person these days? Just because I'm a celebrity means I have no say in this? You deliver something and I have to accept it? Why don't you go ask the court if celebrities are protected by law?"
"Anyway, how you handle this is your business. Don't disturb my work."
After speaking, Thalia turned to leave. The delivery person, a driver in his forties, was probably hired by the flower shop and was waiting for Thalia to sign so he could collect his final payment.
If Thalia didn't sign, he wouldn't get his money.
Seeing Thalia about to leave, the driver panicked and quickly chased after her, grabbing her arm. "Ms. Smith..."
Thalia was startled, shook her arm violently, and stumbled back several steps. The crew members were shocked and rushed forward to help her.
But Gregory burst through the crowd and caught Thalia just as she was about to fall.
Before she could react, the driver kept apologizing. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry Ms. Smith. I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm just in a tough spot. The shop asked me to deliver these, and I've put down a $500 deposit with them. If you don't accept them, I can't get my money back."
"I'll transfer you the $500. Take these flowers and sell them or throw them away - deal with them however you want," Gregory offered a compromise.
The driver wasn't one to overthink things. He made his living with his truck, so he quickly thanked them and held up his phone's payment code to Gregory.
...
"Thalia, Gregory paid that money for you. Don't you owe him a favor now?"
In the makeup room, Isla looked at Thalia sitting in front of the makeup mirror.
Thalia was fiddling with her phone. Hearing Isla's comment, she sped up her transfer. "I'm afraid if I'm even a second late, I won't be able to stop all the gossip."
"I don't think Gregory will accept your money," the makeup artist said, glancing at Thalia's phone screen.
"No need to be polite."
Before the makeup artist could finish, Gregory's message came through.
"Accept it! Don't want people talking."
Thalia waited three to five minutes, but no message came.
She rolled her eyes at the mirror.
"Isla, arrange afternoon tea. Say it's Gregory treating everyone."
After lunch, Isla came in with people from the coffee shop, pulling large boxes full of coffee behind them.
She started distributing coffee to the crew. "Gregory's treat!"
"Gregory's treat?" Luca looked at Isla, puzzled. Why wasn't he asked to arrange this?
"Yes!"
"No, Gregory didn't tell me about this."
Luca was confused.
"You're being silly! Obviously Gregory paid that $500 this morning, Thalia tried to transfer it back to him, he didn't accept it, so she just used that $500 to treat everyone."
Luca: ...That clever?
"Gregory, your coffee treat."
Gregory was sitting in a chair reading the script. Hearing Luca's comment, he looked up at him.
"Everyone's saying Thalia treated them using your name."
Gregory: ...
"Don't you think Thalia is emotionally slow? You've been so obvious about it."
"Luca, shut up," Gregory said.
Luca coughed awkwardly, touched his nose, and walked away sheepishly.
For a whole week, Thalia kept receiving flowers, and each time they were huge bouquets.
Not just their crew, even the crew next door knew about it.
"Did you offend someone? Maybe they're trying to get back at you this way."
Thalia was sitting in a chair reading the script when Layla's sudden comment nearly made her roll her eyes. "Is he crazy?"
"Has money to burn?"
"Why don't you check in that group of yours."
In their socialite circle, good news stayed private but bad news spread everywhere. Maybe a quick look would give her answers.
"I..."
"What's wrong?" Before she could finish, Evelyn's call came in.
"Are you involved with Walter again?"
"What are you talking about? Do I look like that kind of person?"
Evelyn went silent at that question, thinking: Aren't you?
"Walter fell out of favor in the circle a while back. Nobody wanted to be associated with him. But these past few days, he's suddenly got influence again, looking all pleased with himself, like he doesn't care at all that you're suing him. Everyone's saying you two are involved again, and that Walter's been showing his affection for a week and you've accepted it."
"That's nonsense," Thalia was triggered, holding her phone and unable to suppress the urge to curse. She stood up from her chair.
The crew immediately looked over.
"What's Walter up to?" Thalia toned down her language a bit.
"Using your influence, what else? If you ask me, stop filming and come back! Deal with Walter first."
...
"Mr. Wood is here? What would you like to drink?"
"Same as yesterday."
"Mr. Wood is here again?" Behind him, a man scoffed.
Walter slowly turned around. When he saw who it was, his expression wasn't friendly.
Nicholas stood next to the man. Seeing Walter, he remembered how just a few days ago Walter had looked like a lost dog.
Today Walter was glowing.
"Love really does wonders for people. Look at Mr. Wood - he's got his spirit back since getting back together with Thalia."