Chapter 96 Marry and Dismember
"Did William piss you off?" Evelyn asked, watching Thalia juggle a tennis ball.
Thalia hurled the ball, smashing it with a fierce swing. "Don't even mention him. He makes me sick."
"William's the type to do it on purpose. The more upset you get, the happier he is. Don't let him get to you."
"I'm furious."
Thalia's anger was palpable, and the two coaches on the court could feel it.
Halfway through the game, the coaches were exhausted and panting.
Thalia glared at them. "Can you guys handle this or not? If you can't, I'll get someone else. I'm paying tens of thousands of dollars in membership fees, and this is the service I get?"
"Go talk to Daniel. Tell him to find someone else, or I'll tear this place apart."
"Ms. Smith, Mr. Wilson is here. Can you wait a moment?"
The court manager knew Thalia was in a bad mood today and didn't dare approach her. If Elon hadn't shown up, he wouldn't have said a word.
---
Upstairs, Daniel glanced at his phone and nudged William. "Elon's here. You sure you don't want to go down and check?"
William paused, flicking his cigarette ashes. "Why is he everywhere?"
With that, William took long strides downstairs.
Daniel and Nicholas followed behind. "Some people just can't admit they're wrong."
"If stubbornness were ranked, Mr. Brown would be a champion."
Downstairs, Elon had just changed and was heading to the tennis court.
As he turned, someone bumped his shoulder.
"Elon, fancy seeing you here. Heading to the court?" Nicholas's shirt was half off, lazily hanging over his shoulder. He looked surprised to see Elon.
"I heard from your dad that you're back home to recover from an injury. Are you all healed up?" Nicholas sized him up. "You good to play?"
For someone like Elon, minor injuries wouldn't stop him, but serious ones would send him home. If the military gave him three months off, it had to be serious. Yet here he was, at a tennis club, chasing after a woman?
He had to admit, Thalia was stunning, the most beautiful woman in Emerald City. But risking his life to pursue her?
Elon didn't seem like the type to be lovesick.
Elon nodded slightly. "Almost."
"What are we playing? Need another player? Count me in."
Nicholas sidled up to him, determined not to let Elon get close to Thalia. If Elon won Thalia over, what would happen to William?
That would be a disaster.
"We're good, Nicholas. Can you step aside?"
Nicholas nodded and moved aside, then started changing into his shorts. Just as he pulled them on, he heard the door slide shut.
"What's up? Door stuck?" Nicholas walked over and pretended to pull the door.
"No, it's locked."
"Is Aurora Tower going out of business?" Nicholas cursed and kicked the door.
Elon watched him. Something felt off about today. Nicholas wouldn't just show up out of nowhere.
...
"Hey, come here," Daniel called over the tennis club manager.
He placed a firm hand on the manager's neck, rubbing it like a final ritual before execution.
"Mr. Wilson."
Daniel patted the manager's shoulder. "No need to be nervous. Just a few questions."
"Go ahead."
"How much did Elon pay you?"
The manager flinched.
"W-what?"
The manager was confused, not understanding how Daniel knew about the money he took from Elon. Aurora Tower was strict. If Daniel found out, he'd be fired for sure.
"Not sure? Let's go somewhere more private."
"Mr. Wilson, I'll talk."
Aurora Tower had a place for punishing employees who messed up. It wouldn't kill you, but it was legal and would break you down mentally.
The manager had heard about it. He didn't want to risk it over a small bribe.
The manager spilled everything. "Elon gave me a hefty tip to notify him when Ms. Smith arrived. That's it."
Daniel laughed. Another one after Thalia.
Elon and William were both top in their fields, and both were vying for Thalia. Interesting.
Daniel released the manager. "I'll let it slide this time. But next time..."
"There won't be a next time. I promise."
One close call was enough. No way he'd risk it again.
Daniel glanced at the locker room door. "You get it?"
"Got it. I'll make sure no one opens that door."
"Smart move."
---
On the court, Thalia was getting impatient waiting for Elon. She glared at the two trembling coaches.
"Where is he?"
"Is he messing with me?"
"We'll go check," Thalia's tennis talent was unmatched in Emerald City. When she showed interest as a child, her father Hayden had hired an Olympic champion to coach her. It was the talk of the elite circles for years.
Now, she just wanted a good game to blow off steam, but couldn't get it.
The sound of dress shoes on the court made her turn. William stood at the entrance, watching her.
"Can't shake you, can I?"
Thalia threw a tennis ball at William. He caught it effortlessly.
William's quick, precise move surprised Thalia, but then she remembered he was good in a fight too.
William toyed with the ball. "Waiting for Elon?"
"He won't be coming."
"What's that got to do with you, Mr. Brown?"
"Nothing, really. Just looking out for my ex. A friendly warning."
"Got nothing better to do?"
William ignored her sarcasm. "Think about it, Ms. Smith. Two years of marriage, mutual benefits, a ten-billion-dollar breakup fee, and help with the inheritance lawsuit. You can't lose."
"What?!" Evelyn was shocked before Thalia could respond.
"William, are you planning to marry Thalia and then kill her?"
"Is that necessary?" William shot Evelyn a warning look, making her shut up.
"If it's not necessary, why do you keep bringing it up? Mr. Brown, you're the devil of Emerald City's legal world. You wouldn't do a losing deal."