Chapter 78 Am I, William, Your Servant?
"You think it's William, don't you?"
"I just have a gut feeling it has something to do with him," Evelyn said, her bias against William clear as day.
"Think about it, he's the only outsider who's been in your room recently." Evelyn couldn't believe it wasn't him.
"Could it be that William bribed the installer?" Thalia asked as she saw the car stop in front of the police station. She pulled out a mask and hat from the center console and put them on. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Let's see what the police find out first."
As Thalia walked into the station, she saw William sitting in front of Ethan.
Ethan noticed Thalia first and gave William a nudge under the table. "Thalia's here. Let's move this to my office."
Ethan didn't mind discussing things outside, but Thalia was a celebrity, and several officers in the station were her fans. It wouldn't be good for them to overhear anything sensitive.
Ethan closed the door and explained the situation, showing them a video on his computer. "This is footage from our operation last night."
"He confessed. He's an installer for the furniture company. The installation date was February 17th this year. But over the past six months, he didn't gather much useful information. He said you were mostly out filming, and when you got home, you went straight to bed. No explosive news, except..."
Ethan pointed at William.
"Except that one time you two had sex."
"That was the only time. He was thinking about how to blackmail you when Evelyn found the bug."
Ethan talked for a while, but Thalia didn't say anything. He hesitated and then asked, "Thalia, what do you think?"
"Let's go through legal channels."
"Then let William—"
Thalia cut him off. "My company's legal team can handle this. No need to trouble Mr. Brown."
Ethan glanced worriedly at William. Was his position in jeopardy?
"Is there anything I need to sign? If not, I'll be going."
Ethan handed Thalia a few documents to sign, as she was the involved party. He couldn't help but notice that Thalia hadn't looked at William once since she came in, seemingly ignoring him entirely.
William noticed too. Had he offended her?
Thalia finished signing and prepared to leave. As she opened the office door, a hand reached out from behind and held it shut.
William's faint scent of tobacco enveloped her, and a flash of memory crossed her mind. She remembered that same scent when they had sex.
"Did I do something to offend you?" William asked.
Thalia turned to him. "What do you mean?"
"You've been giving me the cold shoulder all morning. What did I do?"
Thalia pushed him away, irritated. "Is there a law that says I have to smile when I see Mr. Brown? That I have to greet you and speak kindly?"
"If you're not taking my case, stay away from me. Stop buzzing around me like a fly."
Thalia tried to leave again, but William held the door shut once more.
His face darkened with anger. "Thalia, if you need something, you should ask nicely."
"I've chased after you long enough, and it's getting old. Mr. Brown, I've touched you, seen everything, and used you. Honestly, if you weren't somewhat useful to me, I wouldn't even want to look at you."
Thalia pushed him aside and walked out.
William felt a surge of anger. He clenched his fists tightly. He knew Thalia was like this—if she got what she wanted, she wouldn't cherish it.
He blamed himself for his lack of self-control, for giving in to her.
Ethan stood there, wishing he could disappear. Thalia's words were sharp, cutting into William like a knife. It was clear she saw him as nothing more than a tool for her needs.
William stormed out, slamming the door behind him. Ethan worried the door might not withstand another hit.
...
"Get out."
"But my car..." Evelyn was waiting outside the station for Thalia. Thalia had just gotten into the passenger seat when the driver's door was yanked open.
William's face was dark, his whole demeanor radiating anger. His eyes were cold enough to pierce through her.
"Don't make me say it a third time. Get out."
Evelyn didn't dare provoke William. He was genuinely scary.
Thalia saw Evelyn get out and reached for the passenger door, but William locked it.
"William, what do you want?"
"What do you think? I want you."
William was furious. In Emerald City, people lined up to kneel at his feet. How could he allow Thalia to treat him like this?
Thalia was terrified. She could tell he wasn't joking.
"Do you think you can summon me at will? Use me and then discard me? Am I your slave?"
Evelyn had driven a pink Porsche today. William, still fuming, floored the gas pedal, not caring if Thalia had her seatbelt on.
The pink Porsche sped out of the city and onto the coastal highway.
"William, have you lost your mind?"
"If you want to die, don't take me with you!"
"Pull over!"
"I curse you with infertility!"
"Stop the car!"
...
William slammed on the brakes. Thalia quickly pushed open the door and threw up, one foot still in the car.
"Ms. Smith."
Thalia looked up at the urgent voice and realized William had stopped in front of the Smith villa. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and walked over to him, slapping him hard across the face. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
William didn't seem angry. He touched his bleeding lip with a wicked grin. "Thalia, what if Chase found out you had your father hidden in the villa next door?"
Thalia's eyes widened in shock. She glared at William, her gaze full of murderous intent.
"What do you want?"
If William became her enemy, she would surely lose.
As he stepped closer, her heart raced. William's face was full of rage, pushing Thalia back step by step...