Chapter 323 Thalia Is Destined to Be Different
In the museum, Thalia followed the host through the tour, listening to the detailed explanations and acting friendly and eager to learn the whole time.
That attitude - after all her years of studying, even her teachers probably never saw her like this.
"Next, let's look at this painting. This one is quite unique, the work of a famous painter. Does anyone recognize it?"
The host looked around at everyone. Some shook their heads, others made random guesses.
But Thalia recognized the painting immediately - wasn't this from that series her mom had flown abroad with her to bid on for Hayden's fiftieth birthday?
No wonder they could never complete the set - this one was in a museum.
"Frederick Gutierrez's?"
The host shook his head. "When people first see this painting, they think of Frederick, but actually, this painting existed earlier than Frederick's portraits."
"And if you don't look carefully, you can't tell the difference between their techniques."
"Terrence Wheeler's," Thalia spoke up from the back, following the host's lead.
The host looked surprised when Thalia got it right. "You know it?"
"Yeah, I've seen it before."
"This painting has four pieces in the series. Currently, the only one in the country is in our museum, and we only recently acquired it through a donation from an Emerald City businessman. Today is the first time it's being shown publicly through this program. Ms. Smith, you said you've seen it... where did you see it?"
Thalia pressed her lips together, thinking, 'Oh no, is this stealing the spotlight? Is Layla going to kill me?'
"Ms. Smith?" The host seemed really concerned about this question. Not being a professional host, he didn't have great crowd control skills, and his repeated questions were making everyone look uncomfortable.
This person was a museum administrator. Thalia figured if she said at an auction, he'd probably keep asking questions.
So she compromised."At a friend's house."
"Are you sure it was authentic?" As soon as the host said this, some people around who were enjoying the drama had their eyes sparkling.
They seemed to want to see Thalia embarrassed.
"What's she showing off for?"
"Maybe she's telling the truth? After all, she's the richest man's daughter. Rich people love collecting these things. What if she really has seen it?"
"Didn't they say it's unique? How's that possible? The only one in the country is in our museum."
"You're underestimating what rich people can do."
"Thalia's family is beyond what us ordinary people can imagine."
As everyone was whispering, Thalia said, "My friend bought these three paintings from overseas auctions for eighty million dollars, 110 million dollars, and 140 million dollars respectively. As for whether they're real, I'm not sure."
Thalia's meaning was clear - the price alone meant they couldn't be fake.
The host's face went pale for a moment when he heard this.
As the group moved to the next exhibit, Gregory came up to Thalia and whispered, "At your place?"
"Didn't dare say it. Afraid they'd morally blackmail me into donating them."
Gregory couldn't help but laugh. "Very possible."
Thalia let out an exaggerated sigh.
..........
"Mr. Brown, phone call from the annex building."
Fallon was on night duty. When the master of the house wasn't sleeping, she had to be on call at all times.
When the call came from the annex building, Fallon handed over the phone.
"Mr. Brown, they talked. They said someone contacted them, offering five million dollars to do this job, but they never met the person. They only know it was a man, and from his voice, around thirty years old."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
"Keep them locked up."
James heard the phone hang up and pulled out his phone to hand to William. "This is the Jimenez family's recent activities. As for your birth mother, her status is too high - can't investigate her."
"Michael is in Emerald City, Steven's son is on a business trip, and his eldest grandson is in Regal City."
"They all look suspicious, but also not suspicious."
"As for those two people locked up, they wouldn't have seen who the other party was. Anyone daring to do something like this definitely has a plan and wouldn't easily show their true face to these people."
"Once investigated, it would only be bad for them, no good."
"You decide how to proceed with this."
William thought for a moment, eyes lowered, his straight back not bending even slightly in the late night.
The man's fingertips were neatly trimmed and rounded, his slender fingers resting on the coffee cup, better than a professional hand model's.
James could see his struggle and contemplation. If this had been the old William, he definitely wouldn't have hesitated - ending it here would have been certain.
But today was very different from before.
James thought for a moment and continued persuading. "The other party clearly made careful plans, otherwise they wouldn't have had people run to Regal City after the incident."
"Regal City?" James's words seemed to wake William up.
His lowered eyes suddenly lifted.
James was startled, seeming to catch the key point.
He followed William to the annex building.
The woman had just drowsily started to fall asleep when a bucket of water was thrown on her.
She woke up terrified.
"You said you never met the person?"
"Never... never met them."
"Then after you succeeded, they told you to go to Regal City - to find who?"
"Didn't... didn't say."
"Think carefully. Don't make me get rough. I don't go easy on women."
"Really... really didn't say who to find. Just gave us an address to go to that place, but we were caught by you guys right after getting out of the car. We didn't even have a chance to go there."
"The address."
The woman gave a string of addresses.
James checked - the location did exist.
"I'll head out now."
"Take Finn with you."
Finn had only been asleep for a few hours when he was called out of bed. Fortunately, with the private jet going back and forth, he could catch up on sleep on the plane.
"If this had been before, he definitely wouldn't have gotten so involved. Why this time..."
"Don't get it?" Finn responded with his eyes closed, resting.
"Tell me."
Finn spoke mysteriously, "You'll understand later."
Thalia was destined to be different from others. If it had only been Angelina who got hurt this time, William's approach would definitely have been the same as before. But this time Thalia was involved - it was different.
Zephyrine drugged Thalia, and the Lowe Group was taken down.
And this time, that person would only end up worse.
...........
"Thalia, we're here."
At 4:30 in the morning, the car pulled into Mistwood Hill.
Thalia yawned, feeling heavy-headed and light-footed as she got out of the van.
Fallon, who was on night duty, heard the noise and came out. "Mrs. Brown."
"You keep resting." Thalia went upstairs, quietly pushed open the bedroom door, and saw William sleeping.
Feeling mischievous, she pulled down her high ponytail, deliberately messed up her hair to cover her face, walked to the bedside, and patted him.