Chapter 168 A Sharp Arrow Heading Towards Thalia's Face
Thalia slipped her feet in, and as soon as she stepped into them, she sighed comfortably, "See, flat shoes are truly a woman's blessing."
"I'll get you a new pair later, so you won't be weaponless when chasing girls."
Gregory broke into a faint smile, his eyes crinkling, "Okay."
Thalia led Gregory inside. Not far away, in a black Maybach, Finn glanced back at William in the rear seat and the shoes placed beside him, feeling somewhat concerned, "Mr. Brown, are we still going?"
William watched the people entering, his eyes dark and deep. He tapped the ash from his cigarette into the ashtray, his thin lips curving slightly as he spoke, "Yes."
Inside the funeral home, Thalia was speaking quietly with people from the crew.
Evelyn, who had been with her all day, suddenly came in, "William's bodyguard is here, asking you to come out."
Thalia whispered back, "What for?"
"How would I know?" Evelyn thought to herself, do you think I can see through what's between you two?
Puzzled, Thalia frowned and walked to the door to find Finn standing there, holding a shoebox. Seeing her come out, he opened the box to reveal a pair of flat shoes inside.
Finn reached out and placed the shoes at her feet, "Mrs. Brown."
"What's this about?"
"Mr. Brown didn't tell me what it's about."
Thalia: ........
She didn't look at the shoes at her feet, but instead turned her gaze to the open space at the funeral home entrance. Under the scorching sun, three Maybachs parked by the distant roadside were quite conspicuous.
Emerald City had customs regarding funerals - memorial services and processions had to be held in the morning.
Everyone came early to show their sincerity. Those who came late were just the crew members. Thalia understood - celebrities! They didn't want to get caught up in the capitalists' affairs. If it went well, fine, but if not, they might not survive in the industry.
William saw Thalia looking over and rolled down his window, meeting her eyes across the street.
Thalia now felt that even her good eyesight was a curse - she could actually see William's warning gaze sweeping from her face down to her legs.
She shook her leg, somewhat worried William might break it.
She stuck out her foot and put on the shoes.
"You're really wearing them?" Evelyn was shocked. Had Thalia been tamed?
"Can I refuse William's request?"
Evelyn: ......... True.
William saw Thalia put on the shoes, withdrew his gaze, and closed the window.
"Keep them, I'll handle it myself."
Seeing Finn about to take Gregory's shoes, Thalia stopped him.
Finn looked up at her, "Better throw them away! Mr. Brown is very particular..."
"Why don't you just say he's petty."
Finn: .....I wouldn't dare, I'm just an employee.
Thalia changed her shoes and went back in, seeing the crew members preparing to leave together. Gregory immediately noticed the shoes on her feet.
"Don't they fit?"
"A bit," she said.
Gregory nodded without saying anything, but he understood - it was impossible they didn't fit. Handmade shoes of pure sheepskin were all about comfort.
Thalia saw everyone off and took a few days off from Aaron.
........
"Gregory," as soon as Gregory got into the van, Luca came up with a shoebox, looking both amused and helpless. Opening it, inside lay the flat shoes he had given Thalia.
"What happened?"
"Just now a man delivered a pair of shoes to Thalia, and then she changed out of these."
"Who threw away the shoes?"
"The man."
Gregory frowned. He had only heard that Thalia was getting revenge on someone, not that she had a boyfriend.
"Boyfriend?"
"Probably not, looked more like a subordinate."
"Go check if Thalia has a boyfriend."
"Don't tell me you like her?"
Gregory's lips curved slightly, "You're being nosy."
Luca heard the displeasure in that sentence and quickly shut up.
Evelyn stood with Thalia under the eaves seeing off guests. Watching the cars drive away, she turned to Thalia and whistled, "What are your thoughts?"
Thalia sighed, "I feel bad."
Evelyn rolled her eyes, "I'm asking what you think about Gregory. Of course I know you feel bad about your dad dying."
Thalia asked back, "What thoughts?"
"He's interested in you."
"Just because he's interested in me, I have to have thoughts? Then I'd do nothing all day but write down my thoughts!"
........
Hayden's funeral lasted a week, with Thalia following Grace throughout, handling everything.
Watching as all their friends came by, they chose an auspicious day for the burial.
Greenwood Cemetery was called a blessed location by Emerald City people - facing water with mountains behind, the sun rising from the water and setting behind the mountains.
The advertising slogan was bold: "A Lifetime's Destination"
As Thalia walked up holding Hayden's urn, she happened to see this phrase on the billboard and nearly twisted her ankle.
"Did you invite William?" In the crowd, Grace walked beside Thalia with an umbrella, asking quietly.
"Even if I didn't invite him, he'd still come." After all, Thalia had married him, and he had that much courtesy.
"Originally we could have dispersed after the funeral, but now, let's find a place to eat! Emerald City is full of people wanting to please him. Now that they've come to us, we should use them when we can."
Thalia glanced at Grace, thinking, ginger really is spicier when old.
"Not okay?" Grace caught Thalia's look.
Thalia looked away, "It's fine."
"I thought they'd bury him the day after cremation, didn't expect them to properly wait a week," Angelina walked beside William with an umbrella, Finn following behind with another umbrella over William.
William withdrew his observing gaze from Thalia, "Guess why Grace became Hayden's last woman?"
After all, his ex-wife had divorced him because she couldn't stand him finding other women.
Angelina nodded, "True, Grace is formidable. You better be careful."
"Though I am quite surprised Gregory came."
Angelina's leisurely gaze fell on Gregory again, with some curiosity, "I heard they're now the male and female leads in the same drama. A while ago I heard Gregory personally stood up for Thalia. Mr. Brown, don't you feel any sense of crisis?"
William's expression didn't change, his gaze following hers to Gregory's back, "The law only protects marriage, not love."
The flower of love - he'd pluck each one that bloomed.
All of Thalia's previous boyfriends had fallen at his hands. What difference would one more Gregory make?
A group of people, in black clothes with black umbrellas. Thalia personally placed Hayden's urn inside.
Just as Thalia was about to bend down and stand up, she saw from the opposite side an arrow flying toward her head.
"Watch out."