Chapter 69 In Front of the Current Boyfriend, Strip the Ex-Boyfriend's Clothes
"What the hell?"
"Thalia's really going all out!"
"She's not holding back one bit."
"Hey, is that William over there?"
Walter could tell Thalia was out to ruin his day, making him look like a fool in front of everyone. His face darkened as he listened to the crowd's whispers, but then he heard Thalia mention William.
Walter's eyes shifted past Thalia to a man sitting nearby, a cigarette dangling from his fingers.
Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, the man lounged in his chair with an air of ruthless authority—William, the devil of Emerald City.
On the outside, he looked sharp and put together, but inside, he was as dark as coal buried underground for centuries.
Walter knew better than to mess with William, fearing he'd end up dead. But if he let Thalia walk all over him now, how could he keep his dignity?
Walter sneered and dragged William into the mess. "Stripping your ex in front of your new boyfriend, Ms. Smith? You're getting bolder by the day."
"Mr. Brown, take note. I'm your cautionary tale."
William, unexpectedly mentioned, raised an eyebrow and flicked his cigarette ash. "Mr. Wood, rest assured, I don't live off women."
The implication was clear: Walter, a man who lived off women, had a lot to say.
William seemed to respond to Walter's words but didn't deny the earlier statement about being Thalia's current boyfriend.
"Living off women takes skill, and that's not something I possess," William said, taking a drag from his cigarette, the smoke curling into the air.
William's piercing gaze landed on Aria, who trembled under his scrutiny.
She couldn't meet his eyes.
Thalia remained imperious, her lazy gaze fixed on Walter, waiting for him to strip.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Walter's eyes narrowed as he grabbed Aria, ready to bolt.
But Thalia saw through his plan. "If you dare leave today, I'll make sure you two are on the front page tomorrow. Walter, the Smith family has been lenient with the Wood family's misdeeds—cheating, causing a death, sending your ex-fiancée's father to the hospital. Imagine the impact on your family's stock if all that came out."
"I haven't done anything wrong. I just want back what I gave you. Wearing clothes I bought while meeting your lover? What's that about? Is the Wood family so broke you can't afford clothes? Or are you trying to reminisce about our failed relationship?"
"Exactly, Mr. Wood. Thalia hasn't exposed your family's dirty laundry yet, which is already very generous. You've done such despicable things and still have the nerve to show up here. Aren't you just asking for it?"
Someone in the crowd chimed in, leaving Walter with no chance to escape.
Aria knew Thalia's reputation and status in Emerald City. Though arrogant and temperamental, Thalia was generous and well-liked among the city's elite. Only jealous heiresses badmouthed her.
Walter was cornered—stripping would be humiliating, but not stripping could lead to the Wood family's ruin if Thalia exposed their secrets.
Aria stepped forward, her pregnant belly prominent, and knelt before Thalia.
"Ms. Smith, it's all my fault. If I hadn't seduced Mr. Wood, none of this would have happened. I'm begging you, please forgive us!"
The crowd was stunned into silence.
William, ready to flick his cigarette ash, missed and dropped it.
What was this, a time warp back to the Qing Dynasty?
Everyone was shocked.
This woman was clever, trying to force Thalia's hand. If Thalia forgave them, she'd feel humiliated. If she didn't, a pregnant woman kneeling before her would make Thalia the villain if the scene went viral.
Sure enough, Thalia's face darkened.
She glared at Aria, her eyes murderous. "Trying to force me, huh?"
"I was going to let you go, but now, I really don't want to."
Her purse was with William. She glanced at him, sitting nearby, and snapped, "Phone."
William didn't mind her tone, obediently standing up and retrieving her phone from her bag. "Your Highness."
"What! She really tamed the devil of the legal world?"
"That's William!"
"The globally renowned lawyer..."
"And rich!"
Walter watched Thalia pull out her phone, sensing trouble. He quickly stepped forward and grabbed her wrist. "Thalia—"
Before he could finish, a scream echoed.
William had gripped his wrist, applying pressure with his thumb, making Walter cry out in pain.
"Mr. Wood, mind your manners in my presence. I haven't even settled the score for you dragging my name into this."
"William, you're in cahoots with Thalia."
William, tall and impeccably dressed, looked like he belonged in Hollywood compared to the nearly naked Walter.
"Adults should take responsibility for their mistakes. If you lack that awareness, Mr. Wood, I suggest your father consider having another child to ensure the Wood family inheritance stays secure."
William's gaze swept over Aria on the ground.
She shivered, unable to meet his sharp eyes.
...
Thalia called the police, and they arrived shortly after.
Seeing the chaotic scene and recognizing William, the officers broke into a cold sweat. This was going to be a tough situation to handle.