Chapter 253 Under the Lace-Trimmed Nightgown Is...
Thalia pulled down her pant leg and watched William walk to the break room with his phone to take a call. His broad shoulders flickered in and out of view behind the glass door.
His white shirt against the transparent glass made him look refined and elegant, like fine jade.
She didn't know what was said on the other end, but Thalia saw William pause while pouring water, his fingertips hovering in the air for several seconds before continuing.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing," William replied softly, handing her the cup. "Drink some water."
Thalia raised an eyebrow. She wasn't the type to push William for answers. If he didn't want to say, she wouldn't ask.
She knew her place.
Besides, someone as shrewd as William might seem simple on the surface, but his business empire alone was complex enough to make anyone's head spin.
Meanwhile, in the reception room on the top floor of the Celestia Group, Brian looked through the office glass at the old man sitting inside. White-haired, wearing a common polo shirt—the clothes were ordinary, but his bearing was not.
Clearly a wealthy man, well-groomed. Though his age showed, his straight back remained strong.
"Who is this guy? We told him Mr. Brown isn't here, but he's been sitting and waiting all day. That's some serious determination."
"No idea," Brian replied to his colleague from the secretary's office, looking away.
"Is Mr. Brown coming?"
Whether he'd come was already decided. If William wanted to see him, he would've come already. He didn't want to see him, which was why he'd let the man wait until closing time without an answer.
William was clearly trying to make him wait.
"Time to clock out."
Brian glanced at his gossipy colleague behind him, who sheepishly shrank back.
"Mr. Brown doesn't like people discussing his private life. Once you leave this office, watch what you say and what you don't say. Keep your mouths shut and don't break the rules."
Everyone quickly packed up and left the office.
Only after everyone had left did Brian get up and knock on the reception room door. "Sir, we're closing for the day."
"What about your Mr. Brown?"
"Mr. Brown hasn't been in the country lately. You're probably wasting your time."
"Could we exchange contact information? If Mr. Brown comes back, could you let me know?"
Brian pressed his lips together without responding. That gesture made his meaning clear.
He was William's secretary, not this old gentleman's secretary.
Brian had no responsibility or obligation to tell him his boss's schedule.
Besides, as someone's subordinate, he had that much self-awareness.
The old man stood up from the sofa and sighed softly. "I'll come back tomorrow."
Brian was stunned.
That persistent?
Brian escorted him downstairs and watched him get into an expensive business car.
Just after seeing him off, Angelina came out from the parking garage. "Looking for Mr. Brown?"
"Yes."
"What's his background? That car alone is worth over ten million dollars."
Brian shook his head. "Didn't say. From his appearance, he's clearly wealthy. His posture and manner give off this distant feeling of being unreachable, even somewhat arrogant."
Hearing Brian's description, Angelina's gaze followed the departing car.
She didn't look away until the black car disappeared at the parking lot exit.
"Ms. Jolie, is Mr. Brown hiding some big shot identity we don't know about?"
Angelina entered the elevator, Brian following, the two chatting casually.
"Why don't you go ask? If Mr. Brown is some hidden big shot, maybe we won't even need to work anymore."
"Good point, but Ms. Jolie should ask about this kind of thing! I'm too chicken."
"Do I look like someone with a lot of guts?"
Brian looked at her and nodded earnestly.
"So young and already blind. Still not married! What are you going to do in the future?"
Brian: ..........
.........
"Still alive? Working overtime tonight? Will Mr. Brown be merciful enough to let you go?"
Thalia had just finished her leisurely shower when she got a call from Layla. "What overtime?"
"Overtime researching human origins!"
Layla: ..........
"Can you not be so dirty-minded?"
"Facebook topics about you are going viral. Your fans are really worried about you. Do a livestream!"
"I took my makeup off."
"You're beautiful without makeup too."
"Bare-faced—aren't you afraid I'll lose followers?"
"The ones you'd lose are fake fans anyway."
"If you don't livestream, fans will block us at the company and we won't be able to leave. Make some money! Thalia, do a livestream and send the link to Mr. Brown. Last time he went on that variety show to throw money at you, he can do it again. Don't you want to make money?"
"I do!"
After saying that, Thalia changed into nice but casual pajamas and went to the study.
Before starting the livestream, Thalia specifically sent William a message: "Going live, don't disturb"
William was in a meeting. When he saw the message, his heart jumped. What was Thalia up to now?
He took out his phone and opened the livestream, just in time to see Thalia adjusting the camera angle. Under her lace-trimmed robe, her fair skin was faintly visible.
She hadn't turned on the main light—the desk lamp and ambient lighting gave everything a hazy, beautiful quality.
Watching this scene, William's temples throbbed. He didn't need to think to know that Thalia was wearing nothing under that nightgown. Someone as lazy as her, who'd rather go naked at home, wouldn't bother getting dressed properly for a livestream.
A flood of fans quickly poured into the livestream.
She adjusted the angle while reading and responding to comments.
"Yes, I'm back from the hospital. Just some scrapes—didn't want to take up medical resources for too long. If any fans are still at the hospital entrance, please leave! Don't block the emergency access."
Hearing Thalia's gentle words, fans immediately started screaming in the comments: "Thalia is beautiful and kind-hearted"
William: .........
"Mr. Brown, the proposal has been sent to your email."
William had been so focused on watching the livestream that he'd completely forgotten he was in a meeting. Only after the executive called him several times did he snap back.
He said okay and hastily ended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Thalia was chatting enthusiastically with her fans.
"Marriage? No, no, making money is way more important than marriage."
"My dream is to get rich."
"Pair up with Gregory again? That depends on whether there's a good script. If there is, as long as Gregory doesn't mind that I'm not that famous, I'm willing."
William had planned to quietly watch her livestream from the study, but when Thalia said "making money is way more important than marriage," he grabbed his phone, opened her study door, and stood in the doorway staring coldly at her, without going in.
His gaze was oppressive.
Thalia was in the middle of bragging to her fans!
She froze when she suddenly saw William like that.