Chapter 175 I Want to Vomit
Thalia had never really understood William's work. That last visit to the bar felt like she'd only seen the tip of the iceberg.
This man kept things hidden deep, using his lawyer identity as a cover to fool everyone.
It created a first impression that made people think he was just a maniac walking the edge of the law.
In Emerald City's business district, well-known restaurants and law firms had regular private rooms for entertaining clients.
As soon as Thalia entered the Japanese restaurant's private room, she felt something was off. About a dozen people sat around the circular table - three senior partners from the law firm, two subordinates handling food and pouring drinks, and the rest were people brought by the big shots.
Among them were quite a few business people acting as intermediaries.
Today's dinner was organized by Rainey, who wanted William to invest in land development in Emerald City's districts. After all, you couldn't find another investor in all of Emerald City with cash flow comparable to his.
Rainey was startled when he first saw Thalia, remembering how he'd pulled out of Thalia's investment and poached her people.
"Ms. Smith."
Thalia had experienced these situations since childhood with Hayden. She smiled lightly in response: "Mr. Ward."
As the middleman, Rainey introduced them to each other one by one.
Drinking gatherings had rules about seating arrangements. When William brought Thalia and Evelyn in, everyone understood what it meant. Adding seats on the spot was like rearranging battle formations. Evelyn wisely sat next to Angelina, away from William.
As the drinking session began, Brian and Rainey's secretary brought over two decanters. The alcohol was poured into them, and without the packaging, no one knew what was inside.
While pouring drinks, Rainey wanted to please William. Since Thalia was someone William brought, and considering recent rumors in Emerald City, he thought it over and struck up a conversation with Thalia.
"Ms. Smith, any plans after finishing Aaron's drama?"
Thalia smiled lightly: "Does Mr. Ward have any good projects?"
"I do, but I'm afraid Ms. Smith wouldn't be interested."
Thalia laughed: "Do I have such high standards?"
Rainey smiled apologetically: "You're Emerald City's princess, we really don't dare underestimate you!"
While Rainey chatted with Thalia, Angelina turned to ask Evelyn: "What's going on with them?"
"Thalia chose to have dinner with me, not him."
Angelina looked at Evelyn in surprise. Just then Brian poured wine in front of her, so she didn't say anything, but gave Evelyn a thumbs up under the table.
Evelyn was impressive. If any of them dared to do something like that, William would turn around and ship them off overseas.
Brian poured drinks all the way to William. When the bottle reached Thalia's glass, he glanced at William, unsure whether to pour or not, since this wasn't ordinary alcohol!
Rainey, always good at reading situations and having sharp investment instincts in the entertainment industry, immediately waved his hand: "Ms. Smith is still filming, right? Skip the alcohol, have some juice instead?"
William glanced at her sideways: "Everyone's drinking, Ms. Smith wants special treatment?"
Thalia could tell - William was getting back at her for not choosing him.
Thalia glanced at Brian, who wisely poured the drink.
Everyone raised their glasses to start. Thalia took a sip and realized the glass contained hard liquor. One gulp burned down her throat, into her stomach like fire.
........
Evelyn didn't drink much, but sitting at the table, when people came to toast her, she couldn't refuse. After all, she ran her own studio, and with William bringing them to the table today, it opened up networking opportunities.
Otherwise, trying to connect with these people privately would definitely be difficult.
"How are you feeling? Any better?" Angelina stood behind her, patting her back.
Angelina advised her: "Why did you two have to offend him? Do you think you belong at this kind of drinking table? Everyone's holding back because William personally brought you. If they really let loose, you'd be risking your life here."
After throwing up, Evelyn sobered up a bit: "That wasn't letting loose?"
"You think? Look how much Mr. Brown drank, then look at how much you drank. Are you even on the same level?"
Evelyn felt something was wrong with Angelina's words: "When did I offend him?"
"Fighting him for his wife isn't offending him?"
"What do you mean fighting him for his wife? How long have I known Thalia, and how long has he known her? What did I do? Just had a meal."
Evelyn felt wronged.
Angelina didn't argue: "He's upset! He doesn't dare punish Thalia, so he's taking it out on you. Be careful."
"I heard your company wants that factory on the city outskirts?"
Evelyn was shocked. She hadn't even told Thalia about this, only discussed it with her father: "How did you know?"
"Never mind how I know. When you go back in, ask about it. I'll help you, so you won't have drunk today for nothing."
"I can still drink, as much as needed," Evelyn thought. This was a major backer!
Evelyn returned to the table pale-faced, glancing at Thalia who wasn't doing well either, and at William who'd gotten into the spirit and removed his suit jacket. He held a cigarette in one hand, the other resting casually on the table, shirt sleeves rolled up high, talking with people about urban development.
William controlled the most cash flow in all of Emerald City. Right now, with personnel changes, plenty of departments wanted to achieve results to climb higher.
But no matter what they did, it required money.
William became their target for flattery.
When the conversation turned to the west side of the city, Angelina casually interjected: "I heard this year's industrial sector is moving to the west side?"
"That's right."
"That's great, bringing in excellent entrepreneurs - it stimulates the economy and solves poverty issues."
Angelina said this while glancing at Evelyn: "Is Ms. Thomas interested?"
Evelyn modestly declined: "I am, but I'm afraid I'm not qualified."
The other party was shrewd and immediately understood. He had his secretary take down Evelyn's contact information.
..........
In the bathroom, Thalia crouched by the toilet, throwing up endlessly.
Evelyn was in the next stall, with Angelina going back and forth taking care of them.
"You got the short end of the stick!"
"Every cloud has a silver lining. Let me get the short end more often." Evelyn was still stubborn.
With William here, she'd solved something she'd been thinking about for three months. Worth it!
Thalia stumbled out of the bathroom in a daze, leaning against the wall. Before she could steady herself, William scooped her up and carried her to the car, heading to Maple Grove Villas.
On the road, the car stopped and started. As they approached the elevated highway entrance, a car suddenly cut in. Finn jerked the steering wheel right, Thalia's waist gave way, and her head dove into William's crotch.
The impact made William gasp, every hair on his body standing on end. He grabbed the back of her neck through gritted teeth: "Thalia."
"I need to throw up."
"Don't you dare."