Chapter 306 The Person Who Wants Mr. Brown's Life
"From the look on your face, you know her?" Gregory didn't answer the question directly, instead throwing it back at Michael.
The latter was taken aback, then chuckled. "Met her twice. I really like this girl's personality."
"Just wondering if she has a boyfriend? Think I have a chance?" Michael stared at Gregory with a half-smile, his expression unfathomable.
Every word was a trap.
Gregory was someone who devoted himself to the entertainment industry. His personality was somewhat similar to Thalia's - he didn't care at all about wealthy family power struggles. But not caring didn't mean he knew nothing. The Jimenez family was a complete mess lately. Steven was in poor health but refused to give up power no matter what. Michael's father played favorites, carefully grooming his eldest son while trampling all over his younger son.
This created Michael's carefree, seemingly indifferent appearance, when in reality he was crystal clear inside, knowing exactly what position he was in.
He also knew how to make plans for himself behind the scenes. The guy just wasn't favored; he wasn't stupid.
His trip to Emerald City was probably aimed at the Jimenez family's eldest daughter's first son.
Gregory just couldn't figure out what this had to do with Thalia yet.
"No idea about that."
"You two are colleagues at least!" Michael clicked his tongue.
Gregory took a sip of his drink and said casually, "In the entertainment industry, who shows their real face? Just colleagues, not my wife."
When Michael heard this, he paused, composed his emotions, and nodded. "True."
"Come on, since we ran into a colleague, let's go have a drink."
Gregory was half-dragged toward Thalia and the others.
When Thalia suddenly saw Michael, she didn't have a good impression of him.
But just as she was about to look away, she caught sight of Gregory.
She was a bit stuck for a moment, sitting on the sofa staring directly at Gregory.
Things got awkward for a moment, but this awkwardness only lasted three to five seconds before someone in the group started making noise. "Isn't this Thalia's rumored boyfriend from the entertainment industry? Come, sit."
Gregory was ushered by everyone to sit down, right next to Thalia.
"I thought you didn't like coming to these places," Thalia said.
Gregory turned his head and mimicked Thalia's tone, speaking quietly. "Keeping a friend company."
"He's your friend?"
Gregory didn't answer this question. Instead, he asked back, "Are the men drinking with you here your friends?"
Thalia got it and nodded.
The people drinking with her here certainly weren't her friends - just people from the same circle. They could meet up for drinks, chat occasionally, and as long as things didn't go too far, everyone would greet each other with smiles.
"He's no good guy. Which family is he from? Give me a heads up?"
"What are you two talking about? Thalia, whispering like that, acting like we don't exist?"
Gregory was about to answer when someone in the group interrupted their conversation. Thalia dropped the chat and started talking with the others.
The group had a great time, and with Michael being good at livening things up, he quickly got familiar with everyone.
Later, Gregory pretended to be drunk and dragged Michael to the restroom.
Thalia glanced at Evelyn, who immediately understood and spoke up. "Do you know that guy next to Gregory?"
"Don't know him. Don't pin just anyone on me."
After the Walter incident, Thalia was now extra cautious about people who suddenly approached her, guarding against anyone using her reputation to run wild in Emerald City and profit for themselves.
"From the way he was calling you, saying 'Thalia' this and that, I thought you two were close! He just added me on WhatsApp."
Thalia picked up a sunflower seed from the fruit plate. Her fingertips, painted with nude pink nail polish, cracked open the seed, then tossed the shell at the other person's head. "Just remember it has nothing to do with me."
The person laughed awkwardly and leaned back in their seat. With Thalia's reminder, everyone understood clearly.
"Mr. Wilson, isn't that Ms. Smith?"
"Where?" Daniel was riding the observation elevator upstairs. The person next to him said this, startling him.
William had just left this morning, and Thalia was out partying that very night?
Daniel casually took a photo and sent it to the group chat without any caption.
Angelina replied first: [Poor Mr. Brown!]
Nicholas sent a "silence" emoji, signaling them not to talk nonsense and be careful not to get themselves in trouble.
Daniel had originally planned to go to the top floor, but now he wasn't in a hurry. He found a spot with a full view and leisurely watched Thalia, looking completely at ease.
Before long, Gregory and Michael came back.
He recognized Gregory, but Michael...
"Who's that guy next to Gregory? Ever seen him?"
"Never seen him. Doesn't look like someone from Emerald City circles."
"Look into it."
Lachlan took out his phone, snapped a relatively clear photo, and sent it to a group chat, asking if anyone knew the guy.
Soon, someone started explaining.
[Isn't this the second heir of the Jimenez family from Regal City? He used to hang around circles in Regal City. How did he end up in Emerald City? The Jimenez family is pretty good in Regal City, but everyone knows Michael isn't favored. His father only grooms the eldest heir, doesn't care about him at all, and leaves him to fend for himself. He's a playboy too, but he's deep.]
"Mr. Wilson," Lachlan handed his phone to Daniel. As Daniel looked at it, his brow furrowed tighter.
Wasn't that William's cousin?
Recently, several groups from Regal City had tried to meet with him, but couldn't. How did Michael end up joining the fun?
This was getting interesting.
"Have someone tail him."
Lachlan was slightly surprised. "An opponent?"
"Yeah. Someone who wants Mr. Brown's life."
"Got it."
"How did Thalia end up getting involved with Michael?" Daniel muttered, somewhat confused. Didn't William tell her about all the complications?
Then he thought about it - of course. With William's explosive pride, he wouldn't want to tear open his wounds and show them to Thalia. Men with self-respect all like to maintain a tall, heroic image in front of the people they like. William, in the end, was just an ordinary guy.
"I'll go find out."
Downstairs, Gregory came back, looking a bit restless, lying on the sofa, swaying drunkenly.
Evelyn saw things weren't looking good. "Should we call it a night? Get together another day?"
After Thalia's reminder, everyone knew what was up and nodded one after another. "Sure, that works."
Michael watched everyone chime in one after another, seeing through it but not saying anything.