Chapter 174 Popular to Bring Your Best Friend and Husband to Lunch Together?
"Did you hear? Last night Nora wore revealing clothes to deliver watermelon to Gregory, and Gregory called her out on the spot. So dramatic!"
"I heard Aaron got dragged into it too. They caught a photographer who'd been arranged beforehand. So calculated!"
"I heard the photographer was afraid of getting in trouble and ratted out Nora right away."
"Aaron was so angry his face looked terrible. He said if it weren't for the fact that they've been filming for so long, he'd want to replace Nora."
"What was she even thinking? Doing all this stuff? What's the point? Gregory's been in the industry for years - forget scandals, he's never even had any borderline rumors. Isn't she just digging her own grave?"
Early that morning, Thalia had just entered the makeup room and was about to sit down when she heard crew members outside chatting about last night's events while packing up equipment.
She walked to the door and pressed herself against the window of the film studio, afraid she might miss what they were saying.
She wished her hearing was super sharp so she could catch all the gossip in the film studio.
"Aaron's so upset, who knows if we're even filming today."
"Thalia?" The makeup artist came out with clothes and saw Thalia leaning sideways with her ear against the door, listening to their conversation.
"Quiet!" Thalia put her index finger to her lips, signaling her not to make noise, and waved her over.
The conversation outside continued: "I wonder how Gregory's doing, if his feelings got hurt. That scene with him and Thalia last night really got me all hot and bothered."
"Nora is so annoying."
The makeup artist's eyes lit up when she heard this: "What do you mean?"
"Go find out what happened. I heard Nora had a late-night meeting with Gregory last night. I need to know this gossip."
The makeup artist shoved the clothes in her hands to Thalia and went out.
In less than ten minutes, the makeup artist came back: "Last night Nora wore a see-through silk nightgown showing everything, carrying a watermelon to find Gregory, with entertainment reporters following to take photos. She was trying to create a scandal, but Gregory saw through it and ruthlessly dragged Aaron into it. People from both entertainment companies are now gathered in Aaron's room discussing how to handle this!"
"I heard Gregory isn't planning to let Nora off the hook."
Thalia looked shocked. "I really want to be there."
"Thalia, you probably don't need makeup today. I heard Aaron doesn't have time to work today."
"I want to work," Thalia said, resting her chin in her hands and looking at the person in front of her with a worried expression.
The makeup artist rolled her eyes: "Thalia, you just want the gossip, I know."
Before they finished talking, a production assistant from Aaron's team came over: "Thalia, Aaron says we're taking the day off. He wants you to go back and rest."
........
"What's wrong?" At the apartment, William was about to leave when he ran into Thalia.
"Day off today."
William looked at her dejected appearance and raised an eyebrow: "Out of work?"
"Say something nice."
William's expression grew serious. He pulled back the foot that was about to leave and went back inside, completely ignoring how urgent Angelina's phone call was, and not caring whether the helicopter on top of the distant building had already started up.
His age had never matched his mindset.
Right now, nothing was more important to him than caring about Thalia.
Thalia sat on the sofa, legs crossed, and told him everything that happened that morning.
After all these years, William was well-versed in human nature and could see the emotions in Thalia's eyes at a glance. William steadied himself: "So you were upset just now because you couldn't get the gossip?"
Thalia spread her hands: "What else?"
He was being presumptuous, wasting time staying to comfort her.
Why bother!
"What are you doing? Don't go!" Seeing William about to leave, Thalia reached out and grabbed his sleeve: "Are you going back to the city? Give me a ride?"
"Why should I? My wife is upset first thing in the morning because she couldn't gossip about another man, and now she wants me to spend time comforting her?"
"Don't be so petty."
"Let me change clothes."
William ultimately couldn't bear it. Standing in the living room, listening to the rustling sounds from the dressing room, he felt like he was completely under Thalia's control.
He listened to Thalia too much.
On her rare day off, Thalia followed William to take the helicopter from the company rooftop.
"Lunch together?"
William looked at the steps ahead and reached out his hand to her: "Will you have time for me?"
"Yes, I still need to make time for my husband."
Thalia agreed readily, but after making plans with Evelyn, she completely forgot about it.
Near lunchtime, Thalia only remembered she'd made lunch plans with William when he called. Looking at the vibrating phone, Thalia's heart sank.
"Mr. Brown checking in?" Evelyn glanced at the number flashing on screen and asked curiously.
Thalia hesitated for a moment, then looked at Evelyn and carefully spoke up: "I made lunch plans with William."
Evelyn understood and raised an eyebrow: "Choose - me or him."
"Only kids make choices. Adults want it all. Let's all eat together."
.......
Across from the law firm was Emerald City's famous shopping mall, never lacking good restaurants, with countless choices.
When William arrived and saw Evelyn sitting across from him, he felt a surge of frustration.
After making love with Thalia last night, today he had no chance to spend time with her alone. William's expression was not good.
"Is it trendy now to bring your best friend to lunch with your husband?"
"Ms. Smith is really something!"
His career was busy, even more so after marriage. When Thalia was at the film studio, he flew to the film studio. When Thalia was home, he came home on time. His evening social obligations had all been moved to lunch. Today he was supposed to have a business lunch too, but because this was the first time Thalia had invited him to lunch, he chose Thalia over work, only to arrive and find he wasn't Thalia's only guest.
As Layla had said, William only showed warmth when dealing with Thalia. The rest of the time, he acted according to his mood.
Like today - he stared at Thalia, and those two short sentences carried such pressure that Thalia felt embarrassed.
Just as she was about to explain, she saw Angelina leading a large group of people in suits walking past the store and entering a Japanese restaurant across the way.
Their walking posture made people shopping in the mall give them wide berth, not daring to get in their way.
"Mr. Brown, Ms. Jolie says the leadership has arrived and she can't handle the situation alone. You need to go in person."
Brian saw William standing across from Thalia from afar, and could tell from his back alone that William was in a bad mood.
He mentally prepared himself before daring to enter.
Hearing this, Thalia felt a huge sense of relief. The tense atmosphere dissipated as she stood up: "Why don't you go take care of business first? I'll have dinner with you tonight?"
"Is that okay?"
Thalia pretended to act cute, trying to ease the awkwardness.
Just as she was about to say more, William grabbed her arm and headed out of the store.