Chapter 117

The next day—New Year’s Day—Thalia returned to the Winters Estate for a visit. Victoria and Randolph were both there. As soon as Thalia entered, Victoria greeted her with a smile. “Thalia, you’re back! We’re just about ready for lunch. Freshen up first?”

Thalia had been hungover from the previous night and hadn’t woken until eleven that morning. She’d quickly showered, changed, and driven home, arriving just in time for lunch. Lucy came running over in her little leather shoes and hugged Thalia’s legs. “Thalia!” Thalia smiled warmly as she pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift from her bag and handed it to Lucy. “Lucy, Happy New Year, darling.”

The little girl accepted the gift with a sweet smile and planted a noisy kiss on Thalia’s cheek. Randolph handed her a gift bag. “Your New Year’s present. Open it and see.” Thalia took it, puzzled, and looked inside. It contained a key and property documents.

Randolph spoke matter-of-factly: “Thalia, this flat is very close to Sinclair & Klein—convenient for work. I know you young people enjoy your New Year celebrations. This is my New Year’s gift to you. The car was Victoria’s choice—it’s in the garage. After lunch, you can go and have a look.”

Thalia’s eyes warmed with emotion, a wave of gratitude washing over her. “Thank you, Dad. Thank you, Victoria.” She accepted their thoughtful gift with genuine appreciation.

After lunch, Thalia casually checked her phone and noticed a WhatsApp friend request. Her heart suddenly tightened. She instinctively held her breath as she opened it, only for disappointment to flood through her. It wasn’t from Asher. Drake, whom she had long since blocked and deleted, had created a new account to contact her. His message read: [Have you broken up with Asher?]

Reading these messages made her feel physically ill. She declined the request and blocked all future messages.

The car Randolph had given her was a white Rolls-Royce Phantom. Thalia left her old car gathering dust in the Winters Estate garage and drove away in her new one. The flat was at No. 1 Grosvenor Square in Mayfair—prime real estate in one of London’s most exclusive areas. It was a spacious 2,000-square-foot luxury apartment, fully furnished with high-end appliances and decorated in the cream-colored palette she preferred.

Thalia called Mary, the housekeeper from Pan Peninsula, asking her to throw away all her belongings from there. Upon receiving the call, Mary agreed verbally while her eyes darted nervously toward the man sitting on the sofa. After hanging up, Mary cautiously spoke: “Mr. Blackwood, Miss Winters has asked me to throw away all her things…”

The man’s voice was heavy with exhaustion. “Don’t throw anything away. Keep everything exactly as it is. Her room should be cleaned daily. She’ll come back eventually.”

“But I…” Mary hesitated, unsure how to continue. She had been hired by Asher specifically to cook for Thalia. Now that Thalia was gone, who would she be cooking for? Was she about to lose her job?

Asher was silent for a moment before speaking. “She’s moved to a new place. I wonder if the housekeeper there cooks to her taste.”

Fifteen minutes later, Thalia received another call from Mary. “Miss Winters, Mr. Blackwood has dismissed me, and I’m now without work. Might you need a cook at your new place?”

Thalia was momentarily startled before quickly understanding the situation. Seeing Mary’s plight reminded Thalia of how Asher had gone to great lengths to ensure her comfort, from respecting her preferences to hiring Mary specifically to prepare meals that suited her. The old adage “actions speak louder than words” certainly applied. Thalia initially wanted to refuse, but the thought of Mary losing her livelihood made it impossible to say no.

“Mary, I actually do need someone to cook for me. I’ll send you my address. Come whenever it’s convenient for you; just let me know before you arrive.”

Mary responded cheerfully: “I’m available right now, actually. Are you home? I could come straight away.”

“That would be fine. Come on over.”

After ending the call, Mary turned to Asher, “Mr. Blackwood, Miss Winters has agreed.”

“Good. She often forgets to eat when she’s busy. The flat is close to her firm, so you’ll need to deliver lunch to Sinclair & Klein on workdays. I’ll continue paying your salary, but don’t refuse if she offers to pay you as well. And don’t tell her I sent you.”

When Mary realized she would be receiving double wages, her face lit up with delight. “Yes, of course, Mr. Blackwood. Don’t worry—I’ll take excellent care of Miss Winters.”

After New Year’s Day, Asher threw himself into work at Blackwood Industries, keeping frantically busy. He didn’t dare allow himself a moment’s pause—the instant he had even a second of free time, Thalia’s face would inevitably appear in his mind.

In the CEO’s office, Asher sat at his computer, deeply engrossed in work. Sebastian lounged on the sofa, regarding Asher with a complicated expression. “Mate, there’s something I’m not sure whether I should mention.”

Asher didn’t even look up, his tone indifferent. “Then don’t.”

Sebastian opened and closed his mouth several times. “It concerns Lia. Are you certain you don’t want to hear it?”

Asher’s typing hands faltered momentarily as he looked up from the computer screen. “What is it?”

Sebastian thought to himself: I knew it. Anything concerning Lia, and he can’t help but be interested. He strategically began, “Victoria’s been banging on about setting Lia up with some university students…”

He paused to gauge Asher’s reaction. As expected, Asher’s expression darkened immediately. Asher’s demeanor shifted again. “University students?”

“Several, actually. One’s a 24-year-old with amazing cheekbones; another’s a 30-something athlete, then there are what Victoria calls ‘cute puppies’ and ‘wild wolves’—all sums of nonsense like that…”

Asher’s expression grew increasingly thunderous, and Sebastian didn’t dare continue. Silence. A deathly, oppressive silence. Sebastian fidgeted nervously, taking a sip of water. “You know what Victoria’s like—always getting caught up in these ridiculous schemes. I’ve already told her to sod off.”

Sebastian’s claim was a complete fabrication. In truth, when Victoria had started talking about university students and “cute puppies” and “wild wolves,” he had felt an inexplicable urge of irritation and had made some sarcastic remarks. Victoria, unamused, had pinched him hard in retaliation.

“How did Lia respond?” Asher asked coldly.

“Sorry, what?” Sebastian was momentarily confused.

“Your sister wants to introduce men to Lia. What did Lia say about it?”

Sebastian’s expression turned awkward. He hesitated before speaking: “Do you… do you really want to know?”

Sebastian replied cautiously: “According to Victoria, on New Year’s Eve, Lia… well, she agreed.”

“Agreed to what?”

Sebastian’s mouth worked faster than his brain, blurting out: “She agreed to meet other blokes.”

The moment the words left his mouth—

THUD!

The ceramic teacup on Asher’s desk crashed to the floor. Fortunately, the office was carpeted, so the cup didn’t shatter on impact.