Chapter 91 Five People's Dinner
Thalia's taste, vision, and financial power were unmatched in all of Emerald City.
If that necklace hadn't been a gift from Thalia, Lyra probably wouldn't have worn it.
But since she did, she was definitely trying to elevate her status with it.
Unexpectedly, it worked.
As soon as she showed up with the necklace, the business partner who had been giving them a hard time for months suddenly relented.
Now, hearing Winter say they had to return the necklace, Lyra felt a pang of guilt.
"Why does Thalia want the necklace back all of a sudden? Did you piss her off?"
Winter laughed bitterly, "Lyra, that's rich. You stole my necklace, gave it away, and now you're blaming me? Thalia gave it to me out of respect for Walter. Now that Walter cheated on her and betrayed her, she wants it back. Makes sense, right? Wouldn't you do the same? Five million dollars! Not five hundred, not five thousand."
Lyra wanted to say that five million dollars was nothing to Thalia, but she stopped herself.
Saying that would only make her seem morally bankrupt.
Lyra masked her embarrassment, "So, what do we do now?"
"You’re asking me? Who should I ask?"
Quentin realized the gravity of the situation, "Pay her back? Say the necklace was lost."
Winter sighed, "Quentin, do you really think Thalia cares about the five million dollars? She clearly wants to make things difficult for us!"
"This also makes things difficult for Walter. Why target us?" Lyra said, visibly annoyed.
They had hoped for a marriage alliance between the Wood and Smith families to benefit from it. But Walter, that fool, chose a secretary over Thalia, the princess.
In the end, they got nothing and became the laughingstock of Emerald City, dragging them down with him.
And this was with Hayden still in a coma. If Hayden woke up, who knows what would happen to them!
Winter was furious, staring at Lyra, unable to speak.
The room was tense.
Outside, there was a knock on the door. A servant answered and saw Isla standing there.
The servant hesitated before announcing, "Miss, Ms. Smith's driver is here to collect the item."
Winter's heart sank.
Sure enough, Thalia was always true to her word.
She never gave them any excuses.
........
"What did you say? Lost?"
"Pay back?" Thalia was on set waiting for Marie's commercial shoot.
Hearing Isla's words, she almost laughed out of anger.
"Do you think I believe that?" Thalia sneered.
Isla shook her head, "I don't believe it either, but Quentin said they could compensate at market value, very sincerely."
"Sincere? I don't need money. Tell them to bring the item. Auction items are unique, priceless. If they want to pay, it has to be at the price of a unique piece."
At the price of a unique piece, it would definitely be more than five million dollars, maybe tens of millions.
Isla thought, the Hayes family really messed with the wrong person.
"Who got under your skin?" Marie, dressed in a sharp navy blue suit, walked over and caught Thalia mid-rant.
Seeing Marie, Thalia calmed down a bit and explained the situation: "Isn't it something?"
"Interesting," Marie nodded, amused by Thalia's outburst, but found Thalia herself even more fascinating.
Usually, breakups in wealthy families were handled discreetly, as they might have future dealings. But Thalia insisted on taking back her gifts, a first in Emerald City.
"Truly, birds of a feather flock together. The Wood family's relatives aren't any better."
Marie smiled, "What do you plan to do with the necklace once you get it back?"
Thalia brushed a lock of hair from her face, "Throw it away."
Marie: ........
Meaning, throw it away rather than let them keep it? They don't deserve it?
The shoot went smoothly, with Marie's high standards and clear goals.
"Dinner together?"
"Sure."
Thalia changed and went to a restaurant with Marie. As soon as they entered, they ran into William and Angelina.
Angelina froze upon seeing Thalia and Marie, suddenly understanding why William wanted her to check Marie's schedule.
So this was the plan... impressive!
"Ms. Wilson, what a coincidence."
"Ms. Jolie, Mr. Brown, what a coincidence. Are you dining here?"
Angelina smiled graciously, "Yes! Quite a coincidence. We know Ms. Smith too. Shall we join?"
Marie felt a bit tense, clearly reluctant but unable to refuse due to William's presence.
After all, William couldn't be offended.
What was supposed to be a dinner for two turned into a dinner for four.
In the private room, the four chatted. Just like last time, Marie's phone rang. This time, she took the call outside the room.
Angelina leaned back, massaging her stiff cheeks from smiling, "A fifth person is coming."
Thalia raised an eyebrow, catching Angelina's drift.
"Thalia, can't you see Marie is trying to set you up with Elon?"
Thalia had just taken a sip of water and choked on it. "Don't be shy, that's not like you."
Angelina gave Thalia a meaningful look.
Thalia rolled her eyes internally.
Before she could respond, Marie returned with a second person.
It was Elon, of course.
The dinner was awkward.
William clearly intended to disrupt things.
Elon didn't get a chance to talk to Thalia.
The dinner left Thalia exhausted.
"I need to use the restroom, enjoy your meal."
As soon as Thalia left, Angelina fiddled with her phone under the table, calling William.
William pulled out his phone, glanced at it, and excused himself to take the call outside.
In the restroom, Thalia had just come out and hadn't dried her hands when someone grabbed her waist and pushed her back in.
"What are you doing?"
"Can't you see Marie is trying to set you up with Elon?" William looked upset.
Thalia pushed him away, "Are you bored?"