Chapter 27 If It Doesn't Work, Don't Touch Me...
Thalia snapped back to reality in the restroom.
She found herself sitting on William's lap, a fleeting moment of pleasure leaving her feeling uncertain and confused.
Had she just climaxed?
Why was William still fully dressed in his suit?
Her own clothes were intact, with no sign of post-coital disarray.
Thalia heard the sound of paper tearing and instantly understood: "You used your hand?"
William nonchalantly wiped his fingers with toilet paper from the stall dispenser.
"Yeah," he replied indifferently.
Thalia's anger flared up; she felt utterly humiliated.
So many men wanted to sleep with her, and William had just used his fingers. She felt insulted.
In the stall, Thalia raised her hand and slapped William across the face. "If you can't do it, don't touch me."
William didn't seem bothered. He tilted his head and licked his cheek with his tongue, looking at Thalia with a mischievous glint. "Didn't you figure that out already, Ms. Smith?"
"So today, you just wanted to humiliate me?"
William threw the paper into the trash and hissed, "Yeah, because Ms. Smith doesn't keep her word."
"What did I say?"
"You said you'd only be with me," William reminded her, pinching her chin, enunciating each word.
Thalia scoffed and pushed his hand away. "People say things, Mr. Brown. Are you really that naive? Everyone's always looking for something better. Did you really have to stoop this low?"
Thalia stood up from William's lap, straightened her skirt, and glanced at him sitting on the toilet.
Despite the cramped space and the shabby environment, William always exuded the calm and collected aura of a business mogul.
The new elite of Emerald City didn't come by chance.
Compared to the princess of a wealthy family, the steady-minded legal powerhouse was clearly more cunning.
Thalia tried to salvage her pride, her eyes lingering on William's fingers. "Mr. Brown, your fingers are so beautiful. One day, I'll cut them off and keep them as a trophy."
Thalia pushed open the stall door and washed her hands at the sink.
By the time she dried her hands, William had leisurely walked out.
As he moved, Thalia noticed the white stain on his pants.
Her face stiffened, feeling utterly embarrassed.
...
Evelyn and Daniel had waited so long that the event was nearly over, and still, no one had returned.
Evelyn cursed under her breath and headed to the restroom again.
It was empty.
"Honestly, I'd rather they weren't here," Evelyn said, nodding seriously.
Daniel asked curiously, "Why?"
"Because I'd rather William be quick than last long. Otherwise, a man who's handsome, makes money, and is good in bed—how dangerous is that? What if my friend falls for him?"
"Wouldn't William, that heartless lawyer, leave her with nothing?"
Daniel couldn't accept anyone speaking ill of William. "Is William really that bad?"
Evelyn scoffed, "William isn't poor, but does he have more money than Thalia?"
"Not really a big deal."
Evelyn drove to Thalia's mansion but was stopped at the gate. The place was strict.
She cursed and called Thalia, asking her to tell the guards to let her in.
"Did you hook up with William?" Evelyn asked as soon as she walked in, seeing Thalia coming downstairs in her pajamas.
"No," Thalia replied coolly, tilting her head as she dried her wet hair.
"If you didn't hook up, why were you moaning so seductively and then came back to shower?"
Thalia poured a glass of water, pulled out a chair in the dining room, and sat down, taking a sip.
"How intense was it? You even got thirsty?" Evelyn asked, incredulous.
Thalia rolled her eyes. "Is it illegal to tell you to shut up?"
"It's not illegal, but I'm really curious right now. I can't help it."
Thalia finished her water in one gulp. "We didn't hook up. It was more like a fight. I showered because I touched something dirty. And don't mention William to me. I don't want to hear his name right now."
"Why?" Evelyn pressed, eager to know the whole story.
Thalia briefly explained what happened in the restroom.
Evelyn was stunned!
After a moment, she said, "William didn't even take off his clothes? You can't be serious."
Thalia glared at her, and Evelyn quickly corrected herself. "That kind of commoner should be grateful you let him touch you."
"He didn't appreciate it. He'll get his karma one day."
Evelyn cursed on Thalia's behalf, seeing Thalia's unhappy expression. She cautiously added, "But honestly, William is the type to play around. No need to get emotionally involved. These new elites might get blinded by wealth and hook up with rich women."
"What if he's after your money?"
"I have money?"
"You don't, but your dad does."
Thalia said, "My dad is dying."
"Everyone's dad dies."
Thalia: "..."
"You're lucky he's dying. You can inherit the estate. Otherwise... you'd be waiting for your thirteenth sibling!"
...
William returned home.
The housekeeper was cleaning.
She usually came every three days during the day, but today she was here at night. William was slightly displeased and frowned.
"William..." Amara's cheerful voice came from the kitchen, her hands wet as she worked on something.
She seemed ready to say something but froze when she saw William's collar. She stood there, hands outstretched, unsure what to do.
"What's wrong?" William asked, curious about Amara's sudden stillness.
"William, your..." Amara pointed at his collar.
William's heart sank, realizing what she meant. He hurried to his bedroom to change clothes.
He saw that his collar was ruined, stained with Thalia's lipstick and foundation. Anyone who saw it would think something scandalous had happened between them.
"Dad..." William had just tossed his clothes into the laundry basket when Vaughn walked in.
"William!" Vaughn hesitated before speaking. "Dating isn't shameful. At your age, living together and dating is normal. But as a man, you must be responsible."
"Life's priorities are important..."