Chapter 376 The Annoying Eileen
"You're late, Ms. Smith."
They had agreed to meet for lunch at eleven-thirty, but it was already twelve-thirty when Thalia finally showed up, swaggering in with her limited edition handbag.
Eleanor had drunk two cups of coffee in the private room and had already made several trips to the bathroom.
"Got held up in a fight."
"Who did you fight?"
"Your sister's fiancé."
Eleanor asked, "You hit Raymond?"
Thalia nodded.
"Well, since you were late because you were beating him up, I forgive you."
Thalia added, "You should've told me earlier. I was worried about keeping you waiting, so I wrapped it up pretty quick."
"No need next time."
Teaching Raymond a lesson was more important than eating.
"Aren't you worried I might beat him to death and turn your sister into a widow?"
Eleanor poured Thalia a cup of coffee, smiling meaningfully. "If that day comes, I'll applaud you."
She wanted to deal with both Raymond and Elowen - neither of them was any good.
But she only had so much energy, and dealing with people was exhausting.
And with someone like Elowen's brain, no amount of teaching would help.
People who never learn their lesson just waste your time and energy.
Throughout the meal, Thalia thought Eleanor wanted to discuss something, but in the end they just chatted about trivial things. Eleanor didn't bring it up, and Thalia wasn't stupid either. Thalia knew perfectly well that Eleanor was after her money, so there was no need to be dumb enough to bring it up herself.
...
"Mr. Brown, different way of tying your tie today?"
First thing in the morning, Angelina noticed William's tie - the knot was completely different from his usual style. This was clearly tied by a woman.
"My wife tied it."
"Must be nice to have a wife!" Angelina said sarcastically.
"Mr. Brown, there's an old lady downstairs who says she wants to see you."
"Have security throw her out. If she won't leave, call reporters to come watch."
Brian got his orders and turned to handle it.
"A Jimenez?"
"I heard Eileen wasn't Steven's first wife - a homewrecker who clawed her way up, ruthless enough to even go after her own kids?"
"Yeah."
"How does she have the nerve to show up?"
Brian went downstairs following William's instructions, and picked up on the meaning in William's words - this wasn't anyone important. To avoid wasting his work time, he could skip straight to step two.
"Mrs. Jimenez, there are reporters surrounding our car."
"Where did these reporters come from?" Eileen's heart jumped.
The person beside her shook their head. "Maybe we should just leave?"
If this got back to Regal City, it would look bad for everyone.
Besides, the Jimenez family was already in rough shape lately. If this got too ugly, they'd be a laughingstock.
With the Jimenez family's current situation, they couldn't take any more hits.
Eileen's face darkened. "Go find Thalia."
There's no smoke without fire. She didn't believe that out of all the girls in Emerald City, if Thalia had nothing going on with him, they would've been photographed together.
Thalia had been filming outside all day. The shooting location moved from the main street to the riverside. On an autumn day, once the sun disappeared, it got really cold.
"Hot water, drink some quick."
"It's not even winter yet."
"Early fall into winter is the hardest time to get through. At least today's the only scene by the river."
"Thalia, there's a pretty high-class looking old lady outside the set asking for you."
"Who? Do you know her?"
"No, but she says she knows you." The crew member shook his head. Normally this kind of thing wasn't in his job description, but thinking about Thalia's status as a wealthy heiress, plus the old lady really did look like she was from high society - her whole presence gave off this intimidating vibe.
Made people afraid to get close.
"What's her name?"
"She didn't say."
Thalia glanced at Isla. Isla understood, pulled a drink from the car and handed it to the crew member. "We got it, thanks for your trouble."
"No problem, Thalia's my idol."
Thalia exchanged a few polite words. Once he left, Isla got out of the car too.
Soon she came back, handing over her phone. "Take a look, recognize her?"
Wasn't this that annoying Eileen?
"William's step-grandmother."
Isla's brain couldn't quite process it. "Let me work this out."
"So William's mom's stepmother?"
"Very smart." Thalia tapped her forehead.
Isla was speechless.
What kind of crazy relationships were these? No wonder Thalia and William could be together. Between the two of them, their relationship drama was more than normal people experience in several lifetimes.
"If you ever can't make it in entertainment anymore, switch to screenwriting. Write your life experiences into a novel - it'd definitely blow up."
"I think so too." Thalia finished filming today's scenes until the shift change.
After the shift change, there was hardly anyone on the streets.
The fans gathered outside the set had all been politely asked to leave by the staff.
Only Eileen was still waiting.
When John was driving back to Mistwood Hill, he noticed Eileen's car following them and worried she'd find out Thalia lived at Mistwood Hill.
"Ms. Smith."
"Didn't William arrange bodyguards? Do I really need to get out and handle this little thing myself? Are you trying to work me to death so you can inherit my fortune or what?" Thalia's harsh tone made John shudder, and he quickly made a call.
Soon after, at an intersection, there was a bang as two cars collided.
Stopping the pursuit.
"Mrs. Jimenez, Mrs. Jimenez..." The driver came to his senses and stumbled out of the driver's seat. When he opened the back door, his legs gave out and he fell to his knees.
"I'm fine, get up first."
"My leg's hurt."
...
"Mr. Michael Jimenez, Mrs. Jimenez is here."
"What's she here for?"
"Says she got in a car accident on her way to see Ms. Smith, and the ambulance brought her here."
Hearing this, Michael was first surprised, then stunned, then suddenly burst out laughing.
He knew it - bringing Thalia into this would make things much more interesting.
He'd been scheming in Regal City for so long without much result, but Thalia showed up and dropped a bomb.
If she couldn't even handle Thalia, how did she expect to see William?
This was really something.
"How's my grandmother?"
"Mrs. Jimenez is fine. Apparently the driver got hurt."
"Things have escalated this far - it'd be a shame not to add fuel to the fire. Go..." Michael said, pointing to the flowers and apple Thalia had sent that morning on the nightstand.
"First thing tomorrow morning, take these to the nurses' station and have them delivered to my grandmother. Remember, the card is key."