Chapter 50 Thalia Hadn't Reacted Before Being Pressed Against the Door...
"Hey boss, what's up?"
"The club lost power? What kind of joint are you running here?"
"Come on, we were just getting into the groove, and now there's a blackout?"
"Is it too much to ask for a good time?"
"Boss..."
"Boss..."
A group of college kids were on the brink of an epic night out, only to be cut short by a sudden blackout. Thalia glanced at the guy in front of her and muttered a curse under her breath.
She was just about to seal the deal...
Thalia swore again.
Evelyn found her way to Thalia’s side, using the faint light to guide her. "Are you cursed or something? Why is it that every time I go clubbing with you, the power goes out?"
Thalia was fuming. "How is this my fault?"
"Just bad luck."
"I..."
"Police! Everyone stay where you are!"
Thalia’s eyes widened. "What?!"
Evelyn’s instincts kicked in, and she grabbed Thalia’s arm, pulling her towards the back door. If her dad found out she was out drinking at a college bar instead of being home, he’d flip.
Evelyn dragged Thalia out of the club, both of them panting as they leaned against the alley wall. "Do the cops have nothing better to do these days?"
"Seriously, they’re always busting clubs."
"William?"
Evelyn looked up and spotted William leaning against his car, a cigarette between his fingers. The dim streetlight cast long shadows, making it hard to see his face clearly. But even from a distance, his anger was palpable.
Thalia shivered at the mention of William’s name. She’d spent the morning trying to appease him, and now he’d caught her again?
Could her luck get any worse?
"Thalia," Evelyn tugged at Thalia’s sleeve.
"Do you think I can still make a run for it?" Thalia’s attempt at a smile looked more like a grimace.
Evelyn glanced at William under the streetlight. The alley’s back door led back to the club, and running forward meant running straight into William’s arms.
"Would you rather get caught by the police or by William?" Evelyn thought she was being reasonable.
Thalia: ...what kind of choice is that?
"Is there a third option?"
"Death..."
William’s black car blocked the alley’s entrance. If she wanted to leave, she’d have to face him.
And from the way he was calmly smoking, it was clear he wasn’t planning on letting her go.
"Maybe try sweet-talking him?"
Thalia had no choice. She took a deep breath, put on her best smile, and walked towards William, showing off a row of perfect teeth.
William couldn’t help but chuckle at Thalia’s shameless adaptability.
He flicked his cigarette ash away.
Only the princess of Emerald City could be this audacious.
"Mr. Brown, what brings you here?" Thalia’s voice was sickly sweet.
"Just killing time, having a smoke," William replied coolly.
Thalia inwardly rolled her eyes: You must have a lot of free time.
She kept her face neutral. "Well, you enjoy that. It’s getting late, we should head home."
"Getting late? Head home?"
William blew out a smoke ring, nearly laughing out loud.
He noticed Evelyn making a move and shot her a cold glare, as if to say, "Did I say you could move?"
Evelyn froze and quickly retracted her foot.
"Finn, let the cops know there are two more escapees here."
Thalia’s heart skipped a beat. "No, don’t!"
If the news got out, her innocent starlet image would be ruined. William was really going for the jugular.
Finn looked between William and Thalia, then decided to follow William’s orders.
He took a few steps before being pulled aside by a bodyguard. "Are you crazy? Don’t actually go."
"Shouldn’t I?" Finn had been out of town recently and wasn’t up to speed on the drama between William and Thalia.
The bodyguard gave Finn a knowing look. "Trust me, don’t go."
"William, you’re ruining me here!" Thalia panicked as she saw Finn actually moving.
"Helping the police is the duty of every good citizen. How is this ruining you, Ms. Smith?"
Thalia suddenly had a realization. "You called the cops?"
"Got a problem with that?"
Evelyn: ...I knew it. William is a snake. Dominant, petty, and always gets his way.
Evelyn stood in the alley, watching Thalia about to blow up. She quickly intervened.
Are you an idiot? Arguing with William now is just asking for trouble.
Thalia took a deep breath, suppressing her anger.
She shook her head solemnly. "No problem."
"Mr. Brown, heading home? Mind giving us a ride?"
"Ten grand."
Thalia ground her teeth, swallowing her frustration at William’s extortion. "Fine."
In the car...
Thalia absentmindedly cleaned her nails.
The only sound was their breathing.
"Why did you call the cops? I was just trying to relax. Did I bother you?"
Relax?
William’s intense gaze shifted to Thalia.
"Did you forget what you said this morning?"
"What did I say?"
William’s eyes darkened.
"Ms. Smith has a poor memory. If that’s the case, you should find a new lawyer for Emma’s case. I promised to help you, not so you could go flirting with other men."
He wasn’t in the mood for games.
He knew Thalia’s words were never to be trusted. He should have never believed her.
Thalia: ...
"I was wrong."
"Wrong about what?"
"I don’t remember what I did wrong, but if you say I was wrong, then I was wrong." Thalia’s tone was contrite.
Finn, driving, couldn’t help but chuckle.
This woman’s shamelessness was impressive!
Thalia noticed William’s silence and reached out to touch him.
The moment her fingers brushed his sleeve, he grabbed her wrist.
"Do you want to lose your hand?" William’s icy stare bore into her.
Thalia shivered, remembering the time William scrubbed her with a brush...
"I need it, I need it."
...
William dragged her by the arm all the way to the apartment. Before she could react, he had her pinned against the door...