Chapter 157 Gaze Fixed on Her Like a Deep Abyss in the Night
Luca had always thought Gregory didn't like coffee, but today, that assumption was shattered.
He'd had a cup of coffee in the morning, which should have been enough, but he had another one in the afternoon.
He directly transferred money with the note "coffee."
The key thing was that Thalia actually made it for him. A hundred dollars meant nothing to people of their status.
Going to any upscale place for afternoon tea, a cup of coffee would cost that much, maybe even more. Since Gregory rarely had such leisure time, Thalia was happy to oblige.
Isla came over with a cup and handed him the coffee, not forgetting to tell him: "Gregory, Thalia says this cup is exclusively yours from now on."
"Thanks."
In the evening, Layla had already given the director a heads up,
saying that Thalia had a banquet to attend that night and needed to leave early.
The director nodded when he heard this, but said something a bit puzzled: "How come everyone has a banquet to attend tonight? Is it the same one?"
After saying this, the director thought about it - there were all kinds of banquets in the entertainment industry. He waved his hand: "Whatever, let's wrap up early tonight. With the female lead, second female lead, and male lead all gone, what's left to shoot?"
"Nora's not here either?" Layla was confused.
She wasn't surprised that the Best Actor and Thalia were attending tonight's banquet, but Nora too?
Given Linda's company's current financial situation, someone of Nora's status probably couldn't even get an invitation.
"Yeah, said she's going to a dinner party," the director said while picking up his thermos, taking a sip of water and looking at Layla: "When we were actors back in the day, did we have so many banquets to attend? Didn't we all just focus on our work and shoot our scenes properly?"
"Times have changed. If artists don't network now, they won't even get resources."
After chatting with Layla for a bit, the director went off to get busy. When Layla returned to the dressing room, she saw Thalia taking down her hair.
"Not removing your makeup?"
"How big of a banquet is it? Is it worth doing my makeup all over again for it?"
"You're just being lazy."
That evening, most of Emerald City's wealthy people gathered on the lawn of the Majestic Wave Hotel. The lawn was set up with various dessert stations and drink stations.
On the right side of the lawn, an orchestra was playing beautiful violin music.
Before Thalia even went in, she heard someone complaining: "This is really something. It rained a few days ago, and today they're holding the banquet on the lawn. Won't we just sink into the ground with every step in our heels?"
"What do you know? They've set up two areas - one for women, one for men. Women inside, men outside. Separating the successful people from those just here for the fun is their real purpose."
"Then why did I come? Isn't everyone here to find a rich man? What's the point of doing it this way?"
Hearing this, Thalia went back to the van and changed into flat shoes.
Layla was confused by this: "What are you doing? Why are you changing shoes for no reason? Don't you know your outfit and shoes are from the same brand? They required you to wear them tonight."
Thalia paused while changing shoes: "Sponsored?"
"I was the one who got it for you."
Thalia: "Have I really sunk this low?"
"What did you think?"
Thalia thought to herself, forget it. Things aren't like before. She's no longer the person who was adored wherever she went. Making money is really not easy.
A female artist on the verge of bankruptcy - what right does she have to be picky?
Tonight, William was also among those invited, but the invitation he received might be quite different from Thalia's. Not many people could receive an invitation to the charity gala jointly hosted by the Emerald City Chamber of Commerce and the Emerald City government.
Among them, even fewer received the gold-embossed invitations.
Supposedly, only five people received them at this event.
Thalia held her invitation, wearing a white gauze mermaid dress, swaying gracefully as she walked in.
"Isn't that Thalia?"
"Last year she outshone everyone, look at her this year."
"Exactly. Last year she wore haute couture - only two pieces in the whole world. What is she wearing this year?"
"Is it even presentable?"
As soon as Thalia walked in, before she could even steady herself, she heard various mocking voices around her. Thalia didn't care at all. She looked around, wanting to see if there was anyone she knew at the venue. But before she could finish looking, someone approached her.
"You're alone? Mr. Brown didn't come with you?"
Angelina walked toward her holding a wine glass, wearing a red halter dress with big wavy hair.
"Haven't seen you in a while." She'd gone to William's office several times and never found him there.
Angelina took a sip of juice, her eyes glancing at the man checking invitations at the door: "You might not believe what I'm about to say."
"Tell me."
"Your husband sent me abroad because I said he wasn't good enough. I just got back this morning."
"Why would you say he wasn't good enough?"
"You don't even go home - if that doesn't mean he's not good enough, what does?"
Thalia: ……….
Angelina seemed to see Thalia as a kindred spirit. The thought that someone was giving William a hard time made her especially happy.
She'd been pushed around by William, but now the tables had turned. What goes around comes around.
"The logic doesn't quite work, but it kind of makes sense."
"Didn't Mr. Brown get you some resources? That dress doesn't bring out your charm at all."
Angelina shook her head: "It's not worthy of you."
"I can barely make it in this industry anymore. I'm grateful someone's sponsoring me at all - and you're saying it's not worthy?"
Angelina opened her mouth, wanting to say something but didn't. She thought: William is about to break into the top ten of the wealth rankings - barely making it? That's not possible.
William kept a low profile. He should have been on the rich list long ago, but these years, because Vaughn hadn't retired from the school yet, he'd been dispersing his wealth. Media reporters couldn't find any leads even when they tried.
"You're being modest, Mrs. Brown."
Before Angelina could finish, Thalia covered her mouth: "Are you trying to ruin me?"
"Mr. Brown."
Just as Thalia finished speaking, a soft call came from behind her. She released Angelina and turned around to see William standing behind her, his eyes dark and unfathomable, staring at her like a deep abyss in the night, almost ready to swallow her whole. Yet this person had a smile at the corners of his lips, making it impossible to read his emotions.
"Scared now?" Angelina tugged at her arm.
Thalia admitted it openly, nodding: "Scared."
"Looks like you know William's true nature now."
Thalia rolled her eyes. No matter how she heard it, Angelina's words sounded a bit gleeful. She turned around leisurely, just about to get a drink. Her outstretched hand was knocked back, and a glass of wine spilled all over the back of her hand.