Chapter 211

Darwin smiled silently.

Joyce asked, "Could there be a second Nicolas Hendrix in this world?"

Ursa, always at odds with Thea, looked even uglier. She snorted softly, gathered her things, and left the meeting room.

Thea returned to the office. Joyce sat beside her, looking dissatisfied. "I think Ursa is very displeased with you. First Henrietta, now Ursa. They're both powerful in Sparkle Rocks. I'm afraid things will be difficult for you."

Thea shook her head. "I don't think so. While I don't know why Ursa opposes me, I suspect they don't get along. If they were allied, I wouldn't have gotten this far." Joyce nodded, but her worry remained evident. "Why don't you choose a trusted person to manage the company? I keep feeling Sparkle Rocks isn't a good place. You're only a month pregnant. If something happens" Thea took Joyce's hand and smiled. "Don't worry. It'll be alright."

Joyce sighed. By dinnertime, it was time for her appointment with Ollie.

Joyce disliked Ollie's behavior. Seeing Thea escorted by Nicolas's people, she didn't follow.

Thea arrived at their meeting place.

Entering the private room, she heard music and singing. Several women in costume played instruments. Behind a screen, she could hear the conversation and laughter of several people at a table.

Thea sighed. What a playboy.

Approaching the screen, she greeted Ollie with a gentle smile. "Hello, Mr. Windrow."

Thea's appearance silenced the room momentarily. The others' gazes fell upon her—some curious, some inquisitive, some intrigued.

Ollie waved Thea toward a seat.

Thea smiled perfectly, but as she sat beside Ollie, she gritted her teeth. "Didn't you say this was just dinner? Why didn't you tell me you invited so many people? I could have prepared myself."

"What's to prepare?" Ollie raised an eyebrow. "These are all good friends. I enjoy being surrounded by people. Otherwise, it's not fun. Are you uncomfortable? I can send you home immediately."

Looking at his half-smile, Thea took a deep breath. "Of course not."

"That's better." Ollie's smile widened.

Someone jeered. "Mr. Windrow, when did you get such a beauty? Is she your new girlfriend? Why haven't you introduced her?"

Ollie clicked his tongue. "Do you have any self-awareness? This is Thea Hendrix, the new president of Sparkle Rocks, Silvercreek's largest raw stone supplier. Though she looks like a star, she's my business partner—not the kind of relationship you're thinking."

"I see," said one person.

"Got it," said another.

Thea frowned at the commotion.

"Bang!" Ollie's glass fell to the floor.

The noise immediately ceased. All eyes turned to Ollie, expecting anger.

Unexpectedly, Ollie, who a moment before had looked dark, simply smiled. "Why the fuss? Let's eat. My hand slipped."

"Of course, of course," someone said. "Sorry for the noise."

Thea glanced at Ollie, thinking, Was he covering for me? If so, he shouldn't have brought me here.

Seeing her displeasure, Ollie clicked his tongue, then lowered his voice. "You should thank me for bringing you."

Thea offered a perfunctory, "Thank you."

Unfazed by her insincerity, Ollie pointed to a man in the corner. "See him? A big-time director. He's starting a new film."

Thea's eyelids flickered. "You're not suggesting I become an actress, are you? I'm not interested in entertainment."

Ollie looked disappointed. "Sparkle Rocks can explore other markets. This director's film involves stone gambling; he needs raw stones. He's reputable, has many fans, and uses A-list actors. Supplying his raw stone props would be excellent publicity."

Thea's eyes flickered. "I seem to have been too harsh on you."

Ollie's gaze was dark. "Everyone thinks that way. It's not surprising you're the same. Excessive praise would make me suspicious."

Thea chuckled.

The director Ollie mentioned approached. "Mrs. Hendrix, since you're in the raw stone business, how knowledgeable are you?"

Thea perked up. Having recently studied the industry, she felt confident.

The director nodded thoughtfully, but didn't mention buying stones.

Thea gritted her teeth. "I heard your new film is starting. I've seen your previous work," she continued, citing examples.

The director was surprised. He initially thought she was just making conversation, but he was impressed by her knowledge.

"I didn't expect you to know so much about film and television," he said.

Thea suggested providing raw stones for his film. "You wouldn't want fake props. Sparkle Rocks will give you stones for free, as many as you need. Don't worry about the quality. It would be great publicity for my company."

The director and Ollie were surprised.

Ollie whispered to Thea, "Charity? Selling at cost? What if he asks for too much?"

Thea gritted her teeth. "It's good publicity. I'll accept even if he takes advantage of me. It can't be worse than now!"

Ollie's expression changed.