Chapter 86 I Just Touched Another Man Without Washing My Hands
Thalia couldn't help but feel a wave of disdain. The deep-seated prejudices of these old-money families were just impossible to shake.
"Here, have some coffee. Take your time," Elon said, sliding a cup her way.
Thalia was a bit surprised. Was he always this thoughtful?
Evelyn was right. Guys like Elon had this knack for doing everything just right, and that was the most captivating thing about them.
Thalia held the cup, watching him. While she was clearly interested, Elon seemed somewhat indifferent. Still, he figured Thalia wanted to know and started explaining, "Raymond had a girlfriend before Elowen. They were together for five years. She came from an average family, nowhere near the status of a wealthy or prestigious one. The Mitchell family disapproved and set him up with Elowen. After they got engaged, there were constant rumors about Raymond seeing other women."
"Aren’t these families based abroad? How do you know so much about them?" Thalia was puzzled. Elon, being in the military and often stationed at the base, shouldn’t have such detailed knowledge.
"Did you forget where Marie came back from?"
Thalia: …Alright, got it!
She propped her head up and continued watching.
"Who is this woman? Raymond, you brought her from abroad. Do you know you’re engaged?" Elowen was utterly humiliated.
She wanted to scream at Raymond, but remembering their engagement, she knew his disgrace was also hers.
Pointing a finger at the woman beside him, she said, "Don’t you have any shame? Do you know he’s engaged?"
"Lady, you’ve got it all wrong. I was just having dinner with a friend when your man came over to hit on me. I didn’t say anything, but you come here yelling at me? If you can’t control your man, don’t take it out on others. Who do you think you are?"
With that, the woman picked up a glass of wine and splashed it in Elowen’s face.
"Nice one," Thalia said, calling the restaurant manager. "I want all the information on this woman within a minute."
Manager: …Is she for real?
Elon: …...
Thalia’s foul mood vanished with that splash of wine. She savored her cheap coffee as if it were a fine vintage.
An idea struck Thalia, and she leaned toward Elon. "Do you think they’ll fight? You know, pulling hair, tearing clothes, until they’re down to their underwear."
Elon was momentarily caught off guard by Thalia’s sudden shift in thought. "I’m not sure."
"If they do, it’ll be even more entertaining," Thalia said, sitting up straight and watching them with a playful gaze.
Upstairs, someone was also watching the drama unfold. Their gaze wandered and landed on Thalia and Elon.
They nudged the person next to them. "Isn’t that Thalia and Elon?"
"It sure is. Is Thalia with Elon now? What about William?"
As they spoke, they took out their phone and snapped a picture.
In his office, William was listening to Daniel’s idle chatter while scrolling through his phone. When he saw the photo in the group chat, he sat up and zoomed in on the picture, then looked over at Daniel.
"How's it going with Thalia?" Daniel asked out of the blue, earning a displeased glance from William.
Daniel handed him the phone. "Just so you know, Thalia and Elon seem pretty close."
William's eyes darkened as he looked at the photo, a chilling aura emanating from him.
His progress with Thalia couldn’t keep up with the speed at which she found new men.
"Where are you going? Aren't you supposed to work late?"
Before Daniel could finish, William grabbed his coat and stormed out. Angelina entered with some files, bumping into him at the door and hitting her forehead on his shoulder.
"What's his deal?"
"He's off to catch someone cheating!"
"Thalia found another man?" Angelina rubbed her forehead.
"Elon."
Everyone knew Angelina had handled Marie’s divorce case. If she hadn’t won that case, the Wilson family wouldn’t have hosted the party where Thalia and Elon got together.
Now look…
Daniel shook his head as he left, muttering to himself.
Angelina snapped, "You look way too pleased with yourself."
...
Thalia wanted to see how the situation would unfold, but Elowen managed to save face and left with Raymond.
"No need for a ride?" Elon asked, ever the gentleman, at the restaurant entrance.
Thalia shook her head. "No need, someone’s picking me up."
Elon didn’t insist, knowing she wasn’t one to be tied down. He watched her head toward a van parked by the roadside.
"Thalia—"
Just as Thalia reached the van, Isla looked at her hesitantly.
"What's up?"
Isla glanced back at the car and then at Thalia.
Thalia opened the door, only to find William sitting inside, legs crossed.
"What are you doing in my car?"
William tapped his knee with his long fingers. "Can’t I be here?"
"This is my car," Thalia said, her irritation clear.
"I’ve slept with you. Does it matter whose car it is?"
Thalia got in, and William kicked the back of the driver’s seat. Isla quickly raised the partition.
"Interested in Elon? Want me to put in a good word for you with Marie?"
"Jealous, Mr. Brown?" Thalia leaned in, her long lashes fluttering under the streetlights like a butterfly.
To the already irate William, every flutter of her lashes was an invitation.
William turned and saw the look on Thalia's face, his heart tightening.
A tingling sensation spread through him.
When William’s emotions exploded, Thalia’s experience told her one thing—run!
But William didn’t give her the chance. Grabbing her chin, he kissed her fiercely.
He pulled her onto his lap, breaking the barrier between them.
As he got closer, he noticed a faint scent of men’s cologne on her.
While kissing her, William bit her neck.
Thalia yelped in pain. "Are you a dog? Biting me like that!"
She raised her hand to hit him.
William caught her hand and moved it downward. "Feeling restless? Let’s do something about that…”
Thalia’s mind went blank.
"I just touched another man and didn’t wash my hands. If you don’t mind, Mr. Brown, then by all means, continue...”