Chapter 107 Emma Emerges
"Something wrong?" Thalia stood up and looked at Angelina standing at the door.
"Want to talk somewhere else?"
The two found a café. As soon as they sat down, Thalia gave Angelina a half-smile: "Ms. Jolie didn't come here specifically to find me, did she?"
"Not really, but since I ran into you, I figured I'd have a chat with Ms. Smith."
"Chat about what? About how William wants to screw me over?"
Angelina knew Thalia was the straightforward type and wasn't surprised at all by her habit of getting straight to the point.
Angelina picked up her cup and took a sip of water: "Ms. Smith doesn't know yet, does she?"
Thalia raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue.
But Angelina was in no hurry. She picked up her cup again and took another sip of coffee before speaking: "The Wood family and the Lewis family have joined forces. They're planning to go after the Smith family's business."
That bastard Walter.
She shouldn't have just stripped his clothes off—she should have thrown him into the sea to feed the sharks.
"How do you know?"
"We're in the business circle too. Mr. Brown has the most cash flow in all of Emerald City. It's easier for him to find things out than it is for Ms. Smith."
"Ms. Smith, you're in a tough spot!"
"Ms. Jolie seems pretty pleased about it?"
Angelina pulled at the corner of her mouth: "Is it that obvious?"
"What do you think?" Thalia's whole body tensed up.
Her gaze at Angelina was somewhat unfriendly.
"Then yes, I am!"
"Mr. Smith has been the top dog in Emerald City for so many years. He's made plenty of enemies in business. Plus, Ms. Smith's reputation among Emerald City's elite families hasn't been great these years—domineering, tyrannical. You've offended half of Emerald City. Now... the Smith family's situation is much harder than you think."
"Ms. Smith is so focused on the inheritance right now, but haven't you thought about this—what if the Lewis family and the Wood family pull some tricks to bankrupt the Smith family? Not only would you not get the inheritance, you'd be in debt."
Listening to Angelina's high-sounding words, Thalia laughed: "William sent you?"
"Does he have that kind of pull with me?"
"He's your boss."
"But don't forget, I'm also his partner. We have a cooperative relationship, not a boss-subordinate relationship."
If it weren't for the fact that William still hadn't won over Thalia, she wouldn't bother getting involved.
Thalia stared at Angelina, trying to read something in her eyes.
Before she could figure anything out, her phone rang.
She glanced at the caller ID and hung up directly.
After a moment, a text came in.
Grace sent just two words: "Come back now"
Thalia scanned the payment QR code on the table, paid the bill, grabbed her bag, and left.
When she got back to the Smith Villa, she saw Grace standing outside the emergency room door. Timothy was inside performing emergency treatment on Hayden.
"What happened?"
"The situation's not good."
Thalia stared through the glass into the room for a long while.
Remembering what Angelina had said today, her expression darkened as she glanced at Grace: "Something happened at the company, didn't it?"
Grace thought Thalia was asking a stupid question: "Your dad's dead—it was bound to happen sooner or later. Why do you care about that?"
"Aren't you worried someone will go after the company?"
"Do you want the company or the family fortune? Thalia, you can't have everything. You think I don't know what the company means? But right now, managing the company isn't what we should be doing."
Thalia pressed her lips together. She'd always known.
Even if the company fell into her hands, with her current abilities, she couldn't manage it well. The only thing she could do was hire a professional manager.
When Timothy came out, he could sense the tense atmosphere between Thalia and Grace.
"How is he?"
"Get ready for the funeral!"
Grace was stunned by these words.
Thalia reached out to steady her, her eyes dark, emotions churning in her mind. The current situation was exhausting them both mentally and physically.
Better to end it quickly.
"Give up! Stop the treatment."
"What?" Timothy's heart jumped.
"Stop treating him." Thalia looked at him, confirming again. Timothy was speechless.
He opened his mouth but couldn't say anything for a long time.
Stop treating him? Although Hayden was already beyond saving anyway, to stop now...
Timothy's palms instantly broke out in a cold sweat. He looked at Thalia, trembling, unable to speak.
Timothy's assistant, seeing this, steadied Timothy and pinched him where Thalia couldn't see.
Only then did Timothy snap out of it.
"Alright, we'll respect the family's wishes."
...
"Dad, Thalia hit me. I really can't take it anymore."
In the living room of the Lewis Villa, Scarlett came home and immediately complained to Jasper.
"Didn't you say you were going to acquire the Smith family? When are you actually going to start?"
Jasper glared at her: "You're this impatient?"
"You didn't see how arrogant Thalia was."
Scarlett had always been overshadowed by Thalia in Emerald City, ever since they were kids.
When they were in school, the men she liked would all end up willingly trying to please Thalia.
After growing up, Thalia was still a step ahead of her.
"Keep a low profile lately, so we don't tip our hand and make Thalia guard against us."
"Even if she hits you, you have to take it."
"I..." Scarlett was furious.
She has to take it even if Thalia hits her?
Isn't that killing her?
"Emma's getting out. Go to the Wood Villa tonight to see her."
Scarlett: ...
If Jasper hadn't mentioned it, she would have forgotten about that person. Everyone in their circle thought she was an idiot! Getting on Thalia's bad side over some male celebrity, and then getting taught a lesson.
A month had passed already?
If Wesley hadn't come back from abroad to smooth things over, who knows how long Emma would have been stuck in there!
...
The Wood Villa.
The first thing Emma did when she got home was take a shower. When she came downstairs after her shower, she saw Wesley sitting on the sofa with a dark expression.
She walked over trembling and called out "Dad."
"You still know I'm your dad?"
"I was wrong," Emma lowered her head and apologized, not daring to argue with Wesley.
"Do you know what people are saying about the Wood family now? They're saying I, Wesley, can't raise my kids properly. You and your brother are really something."
Upstairs, Aria was about to come down when she heard Wesley's words. She shrank back, not daring to go down.
Afraid of catching the bad mood.
"Sir, Ms. Lewis is here. She says Mr. Fan sent her."
Wesley's expression softened a bit.
After all, he and Jasper were in a cooperative relationship now.
"Let her in."
Scarlett came in wearing a white wide-leg pantsuit, carrying gifts: "Wesley, my dad heard Emma came home and specifically asked me to bring some supplements."
"That's thoughtful. Come in!"
Scarlett went in and pulled out a shopping bag from the pile of supplements, handing it to Emma: "Emma, this is the latest designer bag. I thought the color would suit you."
Emma looked at Scarlett.
She was wary of her sudden kindness, but with Wesley present, she still accepted it.