Chapter 76 Looking at the Kiss Marks on Chase's Neck
"How do you know that?" If William was really the mastermind, it should be a secret.
"Funny story. My family supplies raw materials, and my dad saw William running the show at a meeting. Nicholas's dad was practically kissing his feet, treating him like royalty."
Thalia was stunned.
Evelyn's family was in the industrial business and had dealings with Nicholas's family.
So it seemed to be true.
Thalia's eyes narrowed as she pulled out her phone to call Isla.
Isla answered cheerfully, "Hey Thalia!"
"Is your speaker on?"
"Yeah, it is!"
"Turn it off. I need to talk to you about something."
Isla complied, disconnecting the car's Bluetooth and picking up the phone.
"Find a way to keep Nicholas from talking today. Don't let him tip off William. You don't need to come with me abroad; I'll handle it myself."
Isla was taken aback but agreed, not knowing what Thalia was up to.
After hanging up, she changed lanes to take the right turn instead of going straight.
She was supposed to pick up Nicholas from the golf course on the outskirts of the city. The highway split left to the city and right to out of town.
"Why are we going out of town? Isn't Thalia in the city?" Nicholas noticed the change in direction.
Isla nodded.
At the highway entrance, she pulled over. "I need to get something from the back."
Nicholas nodded.
He watched Isla open the door and get in next to him, just about to say something.
But then he saw her grin.
And then he blacked out.
"Traitor? Think you're clever? You're staying with me today!"
...
"Boss, Ms. Smith is heading to Lumaria."
Finn had been tailing Thalia, on William's orders to monitor her every move. Ever since Elon took an interest in Thalia, William felt like she was a walking target for predators.
Finn stood at the airport, reporting Thalia's movements to William. He watched a handsome man and a beautiful woman talking at the entrance, nervously sweating for William.
Who would've thought Thalia would run into Elon at the airport?
It looked like Elon planned to go to Lumaria with Thalia.
"Mr. Wilson... is here too."
"Who?" William was still processing Thalia's trip to Lumaria when he heard Elon's name, making his chest ache with anger.
Of course!
Three days without seeing her, and she always managed to surprise him in the worst ways.
"Elon."
The pencil in William's hand snapped.
Pushing her into someone else's arms?
Thalia went to Lumaria to meet the lawyer Nicholas mentioned.
The lawyer, Richard, greeted her politely but declined to take on international cases.
Thalia tried to negotiate. "Richard, we can discuss the commission."
"I'm really sorry," Richard said with a smile, shaking his head. "International cases are too much for me right now, and you seem to be in a hurry. I really can't fit it into my schedule."
"If you're in a rush, I can recommend a good lawyer."
Thalia's mind flashed to William's face, but she kept her smile and asked, "Who?"
Richard pulled a business card from his drawer and handed it to her.
Seeing the name on the card, Thalia cursed William again in her mind.
She stuffed the card into her bag and smiled. "I'd still prefer to work with you. If you change your mind, please contact me. As for Mr. Brown, we just don't seem to be a match..."
Richard was taken aback. It was the first time he'd heard someone say they weren't a match for a lawyer.
Thalia was interesting.
Thalia was fuming when she returned to Emerald City at 2 AM. She woke Evelyn up to drink with her.
Evelyn almost came out in her pajamas. Seeing Thalia had already opened a bottle and was nearly finished, she was shocked. "Weren't you in Lumaria? You came back overnight?"
"How did it go?"
"Look at me and guess."
Thalia's retort told Evelyn everything she needed to know.
Seeing Thalia reach for the bottle again, Evelyn stopped her. "Don't drink anymore. If you get drunk, I won't be able to carry you."
Thalia sighed, running her fingers through her hair. Then she noticed Chase sitting not far away, smiling at her, seemingly amused by her frustration.
Thalia was provoked.
She walked over with her glass, eyeing the rich kids around him.
Her gaze landed on the woman next to Chase. "Chase, doesn't she look a lot like Elizabeth? Did you get a stand-in?"
"What, Elizabeth won't let you touch her at home?"
The woman's face changed, and she moved away.
Thalia's reputation preceded her.
The Smith family was complicated, and Thalia was like a princess. Many in Emerald City avoided her.
Chase didn't mind Thalia's provocations and countered, "What, couldn't get William and now you're depressed?"
"If I said yes, would that make you feel better?" Thalia replied ambiguously.
She noticed the hickey on Chase's neck and smirked. "Remember to get regular check-ups."
"Mr. Smith, your sister is so rude," the woman next to Chase complained in a sweet voice after Thalia left.
Chase laughed. "Who are you? Why should she be polite to you?"
"Expecting the princess of Emerald City to be polite to a prostitute? What makes you think you deserve that?"
Chase's cold retort left the woman speechless.
Chase grabbed his coat and left. A man nearby reminded the woman, "Are you stupid? Thalia may be difficult, but she's still part of the Smith family. Who are you? Just make him happy and keep quiet. Do you think you're his wife?"
"I..." The girl choked, wanting to argue but realizing he was right.
"But I heard they don't get along."
"What does that have to do with you? They can fight today and be allies tomorrow for their benefit. Know your place."
The woman shut up, not daring to speak again.
Thalia stumbled back to the villa, with Evelyn helping her to bed.
Jada was undressing her, and Evelyn was taking off her shoes. As she crouched down, she noticed something under the bed...