Chapter 13 How Far Have You and Mr. Brown Progressed?
Chase sure knows how to work his charm!
No wonder Hayden favors Chase over his other sons. The kid's got Hayden's skills down pat.
Even at his age, he's always got women around him.
One after another, without skipping a beat.
The saying "youth is wasted on the young" fits Chase perfectly.
Thalia couldn't be happy without stirring things up.
She walked over to the alleyway.
She spotted a few drunk guys and slipped them some cash.
In no time, a group of rowdy young men were at the alley entrance, whistling and heckling the couple in the middle of their business.
"What's up, big guy?"
"Hey dude, can't get it up? Need a woman to do all the work for you?"
"Yeah, isn't this concrete a bit rough?"
"Doesn't look like much down there, are you sure it even works?"
The drunk guys kept whistling and jeering.
Chase, caught in the middle of his act, suddenly found himself unable to continue...
At the bar, Thalia sat at the counter and ordered a cocktail. Layla showed up fashionably late.
"Traffic was a nightmare."
Thalia glanced at her. "Just traffic?"
Layla shot back, "What else?"
Thalia laughed and grabbed her collar. "Wipe your mouth before you lie."
The nude pink lipstick stain on Layla's collar was a dead giveaway. Fresh from some guy, and she's blaming traffic?
Who would buy that?
Layla awkwardly touched her nose and changed the subject. "How's it going with Mr. Brown?"
Thalia rested her chin on her hand, thinking seriously. "I want to buy a house in his neighborhood."
Being nearby makes it easier to connect.
Just thinking about it made her excited.
Layla was shocked by Thalia's bold idea and pulled out her tablet. "Mr. Brown's apartment is in the top commercial area, $12,000 per square foot. For 3,000 square feet, that's $36 million. Plus renovation and moving costs, you'll need $40 million."
"With your current liquid assets, you can afford it, but you'll be broke afterward."
Thalia: ...
"How does a lawyer have that much money?"
"All the wealthy people in Emerald City line up to give him money. His nickname isn't just for show."
William's ruthless reputation in the legal world is well-earned.
He's never lost a case, hence the undefeated legend!
Seeing her quiet, Layla pressed on. "Just a reminder, you've made a lot in recent years, but you've spent a lot too. The money in your account is mostly your dad's allowance. Now... your dad's dying."
Thalia: "Enough, shut up."
Layla breathed a sigh of relief, hoping Thalia wouldn't do anything outrageous.
Thalia sighed, resting her chin on her hand, feeling pretty down.
"Your phone's buzzing. Check it."
Layla pointed out the constant notifications on Thalia's phone.
"No need, it's my mom..." Grace was particularly interested in whether she'd snagged William.
After all, a multi-billion-dollar inheritance! Who wouldn't be tempted?
Thalia opened her phone to dozens of messages from Grace.
But one message was from Brian: "Ms. Smith, I've compiled Mr. Brown's preferences into a document for you. Thanks for referring me to that defamation case. Love you—everyone's rooting for you."
There are still good people out there.
How did someone as ruthless as William end up with such a great employee?
The document even listed William's preferred underwear colors and brands.
How thrilling.
"Thinking about a man?"
Layla noticed Thalia's dreamy smile.
"Pretty much!"
Thalia sent a kiss emoji and put her phone away.
...
At the Brown villa.
William parked his car and walked to the porch, seeing Vaughn Brown tending to the flowers in the yard.
"You're back?"
"Yeah."
"Got a girlfriend?" Vaughn, a national researcher with a gentle and refined demeanor, enjoyed gardening when he wasn't in the lab.
"Just a silly girl."
Vaughn paused, looking at William with a sigh. "If you find someone suitable and likable, don't worry too much about their family. Our family doesn't care about that."
Suitable?
No, Thalia wasn't suitable for marriage. With his parents' unhappy marriage as a cautionary tale, he wouldn't repeat their mistakes.
Like?
Hard to say. Thalia's soft body was unforgettable, but it wasn't love yet.
"My marriage with your mom isn't a good example, but I hope you don't fear marriage because of it."
"I'll figure it out."
William entered the house to find Harper Anderson reading news about Thalia on her tablet.
"William, you're back?"
"Why are you reading that?"
"Aren't you dating? I'm checking out Ms. Smith's interests so I won't be caught off guard when you bring her home."
William: ...
"William, doesn't having such an outstanding girlfriend make you feel inferior?" Amara Anderson had been following entertainment news online for days, knowing all about their hotel and car kisses.
Just waiting for William to bring her home.
"William, she's the richest man's daughter in Emerald City and a celebrity. Don't you feel pressured?"
"I heard she's pursuing you!"
William: ...
"Amara," William sighed, "where do you get this gossip?"
"Facebook."
"I need to take a call," William said, not even having a chance to sit down.
Brian called.
"Boss, Ms. Smith got hit by a motorcycle..."
William: ... what a headache.
Every Wednesday was the Brown family's gathering time. When Vaughn moved in with Harper years ago, William kept his distance to give them space, rarely coming home. Later, when Amara joined, they agreed to meet weekly on Wednesdays.
Thalia ruined this week's gathering.
At the police station, Thalia sat in a chair, eyes closed, resting. The motorcyclist was in another interrogation room.
Ethan, seeing Thalia's sorry state, handed her a cup of water, teasing, "Guess what he said?"
"My brother? Or my cousin?"
Ethan gave her a thumbs up. "Ms. Smith, you're smart. He said he was your brother."
Thalia: ... not surprised.
"Have some water to calm down."
Thalia glanced at the disposable cup, turning away in disdain.
Ethan said, "I know you don't like disposable stuff. I bought a $1 glass cup recently, so I'll let you use it."
"Because I think Ms. Smith will be a frequent guest at our station for a long time."