Chapter 438 Ms. Peterson and Mr. Brown Are a Perfect Match
Thalia was no stranger to occasions like this.
The president of the charity association gathered these businesswomen together for one thing only - to get some money out of their pockets. Asking for money was a delicate art. Asking directly often rubbed people the wrong way, but having a good excuse made it much easier.
"How are you planning to teach William a lesson tonight?"
"You're so sure he'll come?"
"What man doesn't like temptation from outside? No matter how good-looking the woman at home is, she can't compete with what's out there."
Listening to Grace's confident words, Thalia felt something was off. She leaned closer and looked at her. "Do you know something?"
"Just a feeling."
"Mrs. Smith is here? Ms. Smith too? I saw on the news a few days ago that Ms. Smith was injured. Was it serious?"
Thalia's follow-up question was cut off as she watched Phaedra Peterson walk over with a smile, greeting them warmly.
Thalia nodded politely. "I feel better now. I came uninvited - I hope you don't mind."
Phaedra beamed, her dress showing off her full figure. She took Grace's arm with one hand and patted Thalia's hand with the other. "Ms. Smith, I'm so glad you could come! Please, come in."
Meanwhile, at a private club, William held his coffee with a casual air. "Mr. Peterson, your case is pretty difficult to handle."
"I know. But even the toughest cases have a chance with Mr. Brown," Zephyr Peterson said, looking at William.
"Having a chance doesn't mean winning. I won't ruin my reputation here."
Embarrassment flashed across Zephyr's face. William had taken on cases much harder than this. If he wasn't taking it, it obviously wasn't because he was afraid of losing. But a smart person wouldn't push for an answer.
Zephyr smiled. "Alright then, let's drop it for today."
"The Emerald City Women Entrepreneurs Association is having a dinner downstairs. Mr. Brown, will you want to take a look?"
"No need, I have other things to do," William casually declined.
To leave, he had to pass through the courtyard. Just as he stepped onto the lawn in front of the club, with its vintage-style pavilions and waterside structures, an internal stream ran from the east end of the courtyard to the west, with a wooden bridge crossing it.
William had just stepped onto the bridge, with Zephyr carefully seeing him off.
After a few steps, Finn glanced at William, who followed his gaze and saw Thalia wearing a black corduroy dress with a pink hem that somehow harmonized perfectly with the black. She held a glass of red wine, leaning casually against the wooden railing of a pavilion, looking at him with a faint smile.
Even from a distance, William could feel the intense hostility in Thalia's eyes.
The man didn't move, just shifted slightly.
What kind of person was Zephyr? Someone who'd made it to president of the charity association had sharp eyes. He immediately caught the charged look between William and Thalia. Although he'd invited William tonight to set him up with Selene, now, compared to that matchmaking, the first priority was to keep William here.
"I didn't expect Ms. Smith to be here. Mr. Brown, do you want to say hello?"
William's expression didn't change as he withdrew his gaze. "No need."
Zephyr had other motives today - William could tell. Knowing he'd arranged to meet at a place like this and gathered a bunch of Emerald City businesswomen, it was obvious his intentions weren't pure.
Staying would only make things worse.
Leaving now, he could still explain to Thalia that he came for work.
Stay, and there'd be no explaining it away.
"Go check who Thalia came with tonight."
"She came with Mrs. Smith. Mrs. Smith's car is over there."
William followed Finn's gaze and indeed saw Grace's car across the way.
"Mr. Brown, are we leaving?"
For a moment, Finn couldn't tell what William wanted to do - leave now or wait for Thalia?
Instead of answering, the man pulled out his phone and made a call.
The other end picked up. William asked, "Leaving or not?"
"Wait a bit," Thalia still spoke in that lazy drawl, emotionless.
"Something wrong?"
"Yeah, I just saw a tomcat run past me."
Thalia's thoughts jumped around - William had known this about her for a while. Though he didn't understand, he still asked, "And?"
"Now all I can think about is how to catch him and kill him."
"Should I just kill him directly or poison him? Which way do you prefer?"
William replied, "I don't like either."
Thalia added, "Pick one."
"I won't."
Was this about killing a cat? This was about killing him.
Don't think he didn't know what Thalia was thinking.
"Ms. Smith, we meet again."
Before William could say anything, he heard Zephyr's daughter greeting her on the other end.
Thalia lowered the phone but didn't hang up.
She smiled and nodded. "We meet again. I'm on vacation and thought I'd join in the fun. Ms. Peterson, you don't mind, do you?"
"Of course not. I've been wanting to meet you, but I didn't dare approach you since I'm not important enough."
"Just now... did I interrupt your call?"
Thalia shook her head, smoothing her wind-blown hair. "No."
Hearing this, Selene sat down across from Thalia. "There's something I'd like to ask you about, if it's not too forward."
"About Mr. Brown?" Thalia was direct, no beating around the bush.
Hearing Thalia be so straightforward made Selene's heart skip a beat.
Zephyr had just come to her, asking her to feel out the relationship between Thalia and William. After all, she'd heard plenty of rumors. With Zephyr bringing it up today, she paid even more attention.
If Thalia and William really had that kind of relationship, her chances would be slimmer.
The rumor in Emerald City was that there was no one Thalia couldn't get if she set her sights on them.
As long as she wanted William, sooner or later he'd be hers.
"You saw right through me. How embarrassing."
"Mr. Brown is talented and handsome, a rising star among Emerald City's elite. Being interested in him is nothing to be ashamed of. Besides, Ms. Peterson, I think you and Mr. Brown would make a good match."
"Ms. Smith, you're too kind. I am interested in Mr. Brown, but I haven't found a way in yet. Mr. Brown values his privacy highly. I can't find out anything about his preferences, which is really frustrating."