Chapter 58 This Bestie Is Not Wanted Anymore, Let's Sell Her with Free Shipping!
"Sure thing."
Thalia shrugged. Tennis was just a game, after all, and with the net between them, she wouldn't see much anyway.
She grabbed her racket and walked onto the court, just in time to see a man in black shorts and a black sports shirt enter from the other side.
From a distance, he had a refined aura, like a corporate big shot. His muscular build suggested he worked out regularly.
Unlike William, who had a good physique but a more delicate appearance, this guy had the solid build of someone who might have spent years in the military.
There was also a sense of calm and stability that came from a well-bred background.
He tossed a tennis ball to Thalia. "Ladies first."
Thalia caught the ball effortlessly, a slight smirk on her lips. She had been admiring the man, but now... her impression was shattered.
Did he look down on women?
The man noticed Thalia hadn't moved, still holding the ball, and seemed momentarily taken aback.
"Looks like you underestimate me."
"I didn't mean it that way. If I gave you that impression, I'm sorry," he said, though the apology sounded a bit reluctant.
Thalia smirked but didn't respond.
She tossed the ball into the air and swung her racket...
The man struggled a bit to return the first ball.
Only after realizing Thalia's skill did he get serious.
Their first rally went back and forth fifteen times without a winner.
In the stands, Evelyn watched, finding her game less interesting.
She observed Thalia's slender figure moving across the court, while the man faced her with a serious demeanor, his entire being exuding focus.
After one round, the man was at a disadvantage.
Watching the ball brush past him, his eyebrows furrowed slightly.
After a couple of seconds, he bent down to pick up the ball.
As Thalia adjusted her wrist, he served another ball.
...
"Who is that guy? A new coach? Doesn't seem like it, he's pretty handsome and has that elite vibe."
Thalia, drenched in sweat, couldn't be bothered to change clothes. She went into the locker room, washed her face, and grabbed a paper towel to dry off.
"No idea, the manager said he's a customer. All the coaches are in a meeting today."
"A customer? Quite a catch!"
"Interested?" Thalia tossed the paper towel.
"I actually think he's pretty arrogant."
Evelyn snorted. "More arrogant than you?"
Speaking of arrogance, everyone in Emerald City knew Thalia's personality.
Today, she was actually calling someone else arrogant.
Thalia: ... "Let's go home."
As Thalia stepped out of the locker room, she saw the man leaning casually against the wall, seemingly waiting for her.
"Ms. Smith, let me introduce you to Mr. Wilson."
The manager acted as the intermediary.
Thalia's mind flashed with some information, but she still nodded politely. "Mr. Wilson."
"I was arrogant earlier, please don't take offense, Ms. Smith."
"No worries, I understand," Thalia responded with a forced smile.
"This is my contact information. If you have time, I'd like to invite you for a game."
Thalia took the business card without looking at it, smirking. "I might have to pass. There are plenty of coaches here better than me."
The manager, hearing Thalia's modesty, broke into a cold sweat. "Ms. Smith, you're being too modest. You always play doubles here, and most people can't keep up with you."
Thalia shot the manager a look.
With her excuse debunked, Thalia felt a bit awkward.
She nodded and said, "I have something to attend to, I should go."
As Thalia walked past, her high ponytail brushed against Elon Wilson's chest, sending a tingling sensation through him.
The manager watched Thalia leave and said, "Mr. Wilson, you might not know, Ms. Smith is Hayden's daughter, known as the princess of Emerald City. She's beautiful, in the entertainment industry, and with Hayden's favor, she's a bit... well, confident."
"Many people say she's overbearing."
Elon was shocked, looking at the manager in surprise. "She's Thalia?"
"Yes, Mr. Wilson, have you heard of her?"
More than that, even in the military, he had heard of Thalia.
Who in Emerald City could compare to her?
The soldiers couldn't take their eyes off the screen when her shows were on.
With both talent and looks... and a great figure, fair skin, and long legs...
...
In the elevator, Evelyn took Thalia's business card, which only had a name and a phone number.
"Nothing else, no title, just Elon... the name sounds as manly as he looks."
Thalia took the card back, rubbing it between her fingers, murmuring Elon's name. She felt like she had heard it somewhere before.
"Marie has a brother, what does he do?"
"A soldier," Evelyn said, then her eyes widened in surprise.
"You mean... could it be?"
"Why not? The membership fee for this tennis club is fifty thousand dollars, and a game could cost millions a year. Who else could afford this place? Plus, his clothes are all custom-made, and his watch is a special military issue, priceless."
Thalia had a keen eye for luxury, recognizing brands at a glance.
That man was extraordinary. She handed her bag to Evelyn and... peeled off the business card with her nails.
She rubbed off a layer of gold dust. "The card is gold-embossed."
"Wow! He's hiding so much? He doesn't recognize you? Does that mean your reputation in Emerald City isn't bad enough?"
Thalia: ... I should sell this friend, free shipping!
...
At the Wilson Villa.
Elon returned home, just in time to see Marie coming out of the yoga room.
"Played tennis? How was it? Did you meet a match?"
"Not bad," Elon handed his sports bag to the housekeeper.
"The suit arrived, check it out. If it doesn't fit, we'll have it altered overnight."
"Do you have the guest list?"
Marie was surprised, Elon rarely concerned himself with these matters. Social interactions in their elite circle usually had nothing to do with him.
Why today...
"I'll send it to you."
In the bathroom, Elon stood in front of the mirror, looking at the names on the list...
He scanned through, his finger stopping at Thalia's name.