Chapter 24 Hearing You Say That, I Quite Want to Marry William
At the Aurora Tower, the blind box game continued.
This time, there was a twist. After opening the blind box, everyone had half an hour to find a mentor and learn from them.
"Alright, time to draw lots," the director announced.
"Thalia goes first! She’s just back from an injury, so let’s cut her some slack," Nora said slyly, stepping back. She wasn’t about to make herself the guinea pig.
"Nora, you’re so sweet. I’m touched. I almost want you to be my stepmom," Thalia said with mock sincerity, her eyes glistening with fake tears.
What an actress.
Nora looked at Thalia, her mouth twitching. Thalia was the epitome of a pure celebrity, always putting on a show.
"What brand of plastic bag is Ms. Smith? She can really pack it in."
"Even if it’s a plastic bag, it’s one you can’t afford," Thalia retorted, away from the cameras, their rivalry simmering.
"Thalia, what did you get?" The director’s camera zoomed in as Thalia shook the box and pulled out a slip of paper.
"Horse riding."
Nora smirked to herself. Horses couldn’t understand human speech. If something went wrong, that would be perfect.
"You have half an hour to consult a mentor..."
"No need," Thalia interrupted the director. Why bother with a mentor?
"Be careful not to get hurt," Nora "kindly" reminded her.
Thalia nonchalantly dusted off her nails. "Nora, you might not know, but my family owns a horse ranch..."
Nora: ....
Netizens: ....
"FYI, people always forget Thalia has a dad who’s in the top fifty of the world’s richest list."
"It’s no surprise her family owns a ranch."
"Is this rigged? Did the director cheat to let her draw this?"
"Poor Nora..."
"Thalia probably doesn’t care enough to cheat!"
Nora drew archery, Thalia got horse riding, and the rest drew various odd activities.
During the half-hour break, some consulted mentors, while others went to the lounge.
Thalia chose the latter.
As soon as she entered the lounge, Layla blocked the camera, glaring at Thalia. "Can you be more low-key?"
"I’m just being honest!"
"Aren’t you worried netizens will accuse you of cheating?"
Thalia scoffed. "Netizens even say my dad isn’t my real dad. Should I care?"
Layla: ....
Thalia’s heart was really big...
Half an hour later, tens of thousands of viewers flooded the livestream. As Thalia went to the stables to pick a horse, the chat exploded.
They demanded Thalia redraw her lot.
To satisfy the audience, the director called out to Thalia. "Thalia, we need you to redraw."
"Why?" To mess with her?
The director showed her the livestream screen, looking at her with pleading eyes, practically ready to kneel.
"Thalia?" The director silently begged, hoping she’d pity the ratings.
"If I redraw and people still say I’m cheating, what then? How about this: throw all our lots back into a box, mix them up, and redraw."
"To increase credibility!"
The director suddenly thought this was a good idea. Thalia agreeing was already a win.
Thalia was an enigma in the entertainment industry. She wasn’t a diva; she was dedicated to her work. But she wasn’t easy-going either; she wouldn’t do anything that wasn’t her job.
This compromise was the best outcome.
Someone quickly brought a box to mix up the lots. Everyone tossed their paper slips onto the table, then drew again.
“Since people said I cheated by drawing first, I’ll go last this time,” Thalia said, crossing her arms and waiting.
The other guests started drawing.
Thalia picked the last slip and opened it. Seeing “archery,” she almost laughed out loud.
Nora, the unlucky one.
“Can’t wait to see her mess up.”
“Wonder how Thalia will handle this.”
“Does she have an archery range at home too?”
“Right…”
At the archery range, Thalia asked the director about the rules, then, without saying a word, picked up the bow and arrow. She shot three arrows in quick succession, all hitting the bullseye.
Her speed and precision were like that of a seasoned pro.
The director was stunned. After a moment, he grabbed Layla. “I thought she didn’t know anything?”
Layla replied, “What? Thalia can’t be multi-talented? Do you have a bias against her?”
Everyone: ….
…..
The show ended.
Thalia, wearing a mask and hat, entered the elevator. Before she could steady herself, her phone rang.
Seeing the name, she didn’t want to answer.
Layla glanced at the caller ID, unconsciously stepping aside.
Thalia handed her the phone. “Can you help me out?”
Layla was afraid of Grace; Grace had a way with words.
“She’s not my mom.”
“Pretend she is…”
“Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t want that kind of blessing.”
Thalia leaned against the elevator wall, bumped her head lightly, and cleared her throat before answering. “Mom…”
“Took you long enough to answer. I thought I dialed wrong!”
“Wouldn’t dare…”
“Did William agree?”
“Not yet.”
Grace: ….
Silence from Grace was deadly.
“I’ll send you a link. Make sure to pay for it.”
“What…” Thalia didn’t get to ask before Grace hung up.
She clicked the link… a set of homeless person’s clothes.
Layla peeked at the link and gave a thumbs up. “Your mom is something else. You’ll never have to worry about being bullied when you get married.”
“If anyone tries, your mom will beat them up.”
Thalia sighed. “Hearing you say that makes me want to marry William.”
“Why?” Isla didn’t understand.
Thalia glared at Isla, annoyed. “So my mom can beat him up…”
William was a menace to society.
Isla: … “I think Mr. Brown is pretty good!”
Thalia patted Isla’s round head. “Sweetie, you’re young and already blind. What will we do? When I become rich, I’ll pay for your eye treatment.”
In the law firm’s conference room, William was briefing his team on a case.
A sneeze interrupted him.
“Who’s cursing Mr. Brown?”
William wasn’t bothered. “Plenty of people curse me.”
The conference room door was open. Brian stood at the entrance with a tray. “Mr. Brown, Ms. Smith’s afternoon tea.”