Chapter 243 Mrs. Brown, Good Cars Don't Need Spare Tires
"What does Mrs. Brown say we should do?"
Thalia and William stood in the entrance hall, with servants moving around in the dining room clearing dishes.
Behind the screen, shadows of people moved about. The busy scene of the servants was completely different from the rising desire on this side.
Thalia reached out, her hand following William's waistline all the way up to his shoulder blades. Her well-manicured fingertips traced across his skin with just the right pressure. Teasing him, Thalia's thin lips parted slightly: "Should we chop it off?"
"Chopping off the leg would probably affect Mrs. Brown's happy life."
William emphasized "happy life" heavily, practically spelling out what aspect of happy life he was talking about.
"You're not the only one who can create my happy life. Mr. Brown, aren't you taking yourself a bit too seriously?"
"Not just me?" William grabbed her palm and rubbed it.
"That's right!"
"Mrs. Brown, a good car doesn't need a spare tire."
"Mr. Brown, is it a legal requirement that good cars don't need spare tires?"
William chuckled: "Not exactly."
William had long known about Thalia's sharp tongue, and he'd seen her bossy personality even earlier.
William bent down to look at Thalia at eye level, his tone somewhat coaxing: "So what does Mrs. Brown say we should do?"
Thalia broke free from his grip on her wrist and pressed her hand against William's neck: "You better serve me well tonight."
"Yes, ma'am."
Before Thalia could finish her next sentence, William bent down and scooped up Thalia's bottom, carrying her upstairs...
...
The next day, as soon as Nora arrived at the set, she noticed people looking at her strangely.
She walked to the makeup room puzzled. Before her bottom even touched the seat, Aaron arrived.
Aaron waved his hand to dismiss the makeup artist.
"Aaron."
"Nora! Did you see last night's trending topic?" Aaron spoke earnestly, looking at Nora with some helplessness.
"Aaron, don't worry. I'm not double-booking jobs. It's just some personal matters that got pushed onto the trending list. It won't affect the show's schedule."
Aaron had expected Nora to make excuses like the previous times, but seeing her being straightforward, he didn't press further. Instead, he offered some advice: "Celebrities are public figures. Every word and action is watched. The entertainment industry is a messy place where you can fall into the abyss if you're not careful. Without a strong family background to support you, you need to be more cautious yourself."
Nora knew Aaron was looking out for her. She nodded and thanked him.
"Has Thalia arrived?"
"No. I heard from people on set that her scenes are almost done. She's just waiting for Gregory's scenes before wrapping up."
Nora acknowledged this and said she understood.
Thalia hadn't come, but her popularity hadn't decreased. Everyone on set was discussing her catching a snake on the variety show. Not only did she steal Gregory's spotlight, but she also became popular herself. All that stuff about being an innocent female celebrity in the entertainment industry - it was all an act.
Layla was naturally good at marketing. This round of marketing for Thalia was solid, bringing in endorsements and events left and right, restoring her to the level of fame she had when Hayden was around.
Thalia was a total winner in life, perfectly suited for the entertainment industry.
"Layla is amazing. With this marketing wave, Thalia is making bank."
"Exactly. The fact that Thalia hasn't changed agents all these years proves Layla's ability. Her marketing skills are unquestionable."
"Linda still falls short in the end. She can't compare to Layla!"
Scattered voices drifted past Nora's makeup room door. The makeup artist worked on her makeup nervously while carefully watching her expression.
The makeup artist was terrified of getting caught in the crossfire.
Who didn't know that female celebrities were the best actors? One way in front of business tycoons, another way in front of subordinates.
"What are you spacing out for? Hurry up."
The makeup artist quickly got back to work.
Meanwhile, Gregory remained immersed in being laughed at.
His mind was full of scenes of Thalia catching the snake.
"A variety show wants to invite you and Thalia on the program."
"What show?"
"Escape room!"
Gregory looked at Luca with a somewhat chilly gaze: "You seem pretty excited!"
"Do I? You must be seeing things. It's just a normal variety show. What would I be excited about?"
"Besides, if Thalia doesn't want to go on this variety show, you won't get the chance either! She might even look down on you."
Gregory: ...
...
"A variety show! I don't want to go."
"I have no problem with you not wanting to go on other variety shows, but you have to go on this one with Gregory. First, to promote the new show. Second, you can't find another male celebrity in the entertainment industry with better reviews than Gregory. Not taking advantage of this popularity - are you crazy? Don't you want to return to your peak period?"
Thalia slumped in Layla's office, her mind blank.
Layla could see her laziness and seriously pulled up a chair to sit across from her: "Don't want to stay in the entertainment industry anymore?"
"I do!"
"If you want to, you need to work! Look at yourself now - what do you look like? Don't think about relying on William to support you. Thalia, putting love first isn't your style."
Thalia glanced at Layla and sighed: "Relax! How could I give up my career for love!"
"So? Are you participating in this variety show or not?"
"Gregory is too timid!"
"Gregory doesn't mind that you're not famous enough, and you're complaining he's timid?" Layla was amused.
Thalia pouted but didn't respond.
"Dinner together tonight?"
"No thanks. I have business - got you an ad deal. Tonight I need to find a good makeup artist to set a schedule."
"What did I do to deserve this! Meeting you is the luckiest thing in my three lifetimes. Whether I can become famous in this life depends entirely on you."
"Get lost!"
Near rush hour, Thalia left early to avoid traffic and headed back to Maple Grove Villas.
"Thalia, that looks like Gregory's car up ahead."
Ever since running into Gregory at Maple Grove Villas last time, Thalia had become more cautious.
"Keep your distance."
"We're not in the nanny van today, so we probably won't be spotted."
"Gregory is calculating and cautious, and his agent is even better at playing dumb. Better to keep our distance."
John didn't say anything and followed Thalia's instructions.
Thalia seemed unreliable on the surface, but after all these years with the Smith family, she'd learned her lessons. She knew exactly when to act and when to be cautious.
The cars separated at the intersection.
Luca's gaze returned from the rearview mirror: "The property management said the hilltop villa belongs to some big shot behind Mistwood Hill. I searched online but couldn't find out who the actual investor is."
"If you could find out by searching, they wouldn't be called a big shot."
Luca thought about it - that made sense.