Chapter 2 Men Hate When Women Say They Are Incompetent
William's office was in the most iconic building in Emerald City, occupying the prime spot. From its floor-to-ceiling windows, he could take in the most vibrant night view of the entire city.
Rumor had it that a TV show once wanted to rent his office for filming, but William asked for a billion dollars a day, scaring the producers away.
William sat on the sofa, holding a coffee cup, and looked at Thalia.
Thalia, when dressed, was the picture of innocence in the entertainment industry. When undressed, she was a certified temptress.
Her looks could be both pure and seductive. When she first debuted, she was even rated by the city's wealthy elite.
"I have a case I want you to take on, Mr. Brown," Thalia said.
William stirred his coffee with a spoon. "Are you sure someone like me can really help you, Ms. Smith?"
Thalia smiled outwardly but cursed him inwardly. "Mr. Brown, you might not know, but you are indeed impressive in some aspects."
"Like when?" William's tone was cold.
"In bed," Thalia tried to salvage the situation.
A faint light flashed in William's deep eyes. "Just a reminder, Ms. Smith, my consulting fee is ten thousand dollars an hour."
Thalia was speechless. "Mr. Brown, it's a pity you don't rob banks."
"Compared to robbing banks, I prefer you rich folks just handing me money."
Thalia was so angry that she felt a heart attack coming.
"My case, will you take it or not?" Thalia added.
"No," William replied without hesitation.
"Why not?"
"A porn star would probably be more skilled than me, Ms. Smith. Consider that? If not, a college athlete is also a good option."
Thalia was at a loss for words.
She shouldn't have tried to drown her sorrows in alcohol; it only made things worse.
Of all the men in the world, she had to sleep with William?
Thalia, the most beautiful woman in Emerald City, the pure beauty of the entertainment industry, was she really going to fall into William's hands?
Thalia forced a smile. "Mr. Brown, is it necessary to hold a grudge like this?"
William leaned lazily on the sofa, holding his coffee cup with his fingertips. "Ms. Smith, you used me to fill the void left by your fiancé and then treated me like a gigolo."
"Holding a grudge?"
"Not making you trouble is already being polite."
Considering a billion dollars, Thalia rubbed her temples, trying to stay calm.
"Mr. Brown, holding a grudge is bad for your health. When there's fire in your heart, you'll go bald. For the sake of your hair, let this go!"
William laughed. Thalia was as unreliable as ever. "I never thought you, Ms. Smith, despite not being beautiful, have such a kind heart."
Thalia reached her limit. No one had ever said she wasn't beautiful, and William was the first.
She could compliment him; it was his fortune. How could he not appreciate it?
Thalia stood up from the sofa, grabbed the coffee on the table, and splashed it on him, unable to contain her anger. "You're such a jerk!"
William couldn't dodge in time and watched as Thalia splashed a cup of coffee on him.
His white shirt instantly turned brown.
When Thalia realized what she'd done, she turned to run.
William caught up in a few steps, slamming the door shut, trapping Thalia between his arm and the door. His deep voice carried a hint of restraint. "You really just did that?"
Thalia's hand trembled. William's reputation in Emerald City was notorious. Rumors might be exaggerated, but it was said that William would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. A legend in the legal world with a touch of darkness, he had ruined many lives.
The outlaw William.
He never got his hands dirty but had a hundred ways to make people wish for death.
"I... my hand slipped."
"Really? Your hand slipped when splashing me, but not when touching me?" William pulled her waist against him, the position suggestive. "Want me to help you remember last night's events?"
"There's no need." Thalia felt she couldn't endure this humiliation. Sucking up to William was worse than eating dirt.
People always groveled to her, not the other way around.
If he wouldn't take the case, she could find another good lawyer in Emerald City.
If not in Emerald City, then globally.
"Mr. Brown, if you're not taking the case, let's just settle this. Name your price, and I'll consider it an apology for my rashness today."
William's eyes deepened. This was typical Thalia, throwing money at problems.
Thalia's reputation as a rich woman in Emerald City wasn't for nothing.
"Ms. Smith, are you sure?"
"With money, why worry about finding a good lawyer?"
"Is that so?" William's expression was inscrutable.
"Yes, I'd rather eat dirt than hire you."
William smirked, his wicked smile reaching his eyes. He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the coffee stain on his neck, his nonchalant demeanor infuriating.
"Want me to show you out?"
Thalia pouted. Not paying was even better.
She had just opened the door to leave when William's assistant was about to knock. Seeing Thalia, the assistant was startled. "Mr. Brown, there's a Chase Smith here to see you."
Chase? Her scheming second brother?
If William took on Chase's case for the inheritance lawsuit, wouldn't she be doomed to lose?
Would she and Grace have to beg to survive?
Walter, with his wife and kids, might even throw some money at her when passing by.
William stood by the office wardrobe, taking off his shirt to change.
"Don't see him. Tell him to leave," Thalia barked at the assistant.
The assistant was stunned, looking at William, about to ask something, but caught sight of him buttoning his shirt while turning around.
"What?" Thalia snapped.
"Mr. Brown hasn't said anything..." The assistant stammered.
"The boss's girlfriend's words don't count?"
The assistant was stunned.
Thalia shut the door.
Turning around, she saw William standing by the wardrobe, buttoning his cuffs, a mocking smile on his face. "Not leaving?"