Chapter 47

Rachel spent the entire day in Thalia’s office, begging. She tried every approach, but Thalia refused to withdraw the case.

“Please, Miss Winters,” she pleaded, nearly on her knees. “Show mercy. A criminal record would end my legal career!”

“I’ll do anything—be your servant!”

Thalia regarded her coldly. “Not interested.”

“There are plenty of careers out there,” Thalia said, patting Rachel’s shoulder with mock sympathy. “Best of luck finding a new one!”

At day’s end, Thalia left with her colleagues. Suddenly, one tugged her sleeve.

“Look at that gorgeous man!” she whispered excitedly.

Thalia followed their gaze and stopped. Asher stood by his car, the autumn evening light softening his sharp features. His black coat complemented his tall frame perfectly. He turned, as if sensing her presence, and their eyes met. He ended his call and approached.

Her colleagues whispered excitedly.

“He’s coming this way!” “I should have worn makeup!” “As if we’d have a chance anyway…”

Asher reached Thalia. His deep voice was warm. “Alex is hosting dinner. Victoria and Charlotte are there. Shall we join them?”

Her colleagues gasped at their obvious intimacy.

“This is my fiancé,” Thalia smiled, enjoying their shocked expressions. The gossip had painted her “sugar daddy” as some unattractive older man. Yet here stood Asher, nearly six feet tall, more handsome than any actor—even a young Leonardo DiCaprio.

Chapter 47 (Continued)

Their previous assumptions crumbled as they offered congratulations, thoroughly chastened.

In the private dining room, Thalia told Asher about the office gossip.

“Know why they were so shocked to see you?” she smiled. “They’d convinced themselves my ‘sugar daddy’ was some unattractive older man.”

Asher’s eyes hardened. “They spread rumors about you?”

“Don’t worry, I handled it,” Thalia said calmly.

“They dared spread such lies?” Alex exclaimed. “Little sister, why didn’t you tell us?”

Asher gave him a cool look. “Was that necessary?”

Charlotte elbowed Alex. “She’s Asher’s fiancée. They’re getting engaged soon. Stop being dramatic.”

“Ouch!” Alex grinned. “I just hate seeing her bullied. We’re all friends here, aren’t we?”

Asher turned to Thalia, his eyes softening with concern. “First those clients harassed you, then these rumors… I’ve failed to protect you properly.”

“It’s not like that,” Thalia shook her head. “You can’t be with me 24 hours a day.”

“Oh, you’re his whole world,” Alex chimed in. “You should have seen what he did to that guy back then who—”

“Alex!” Asher cut him off sharply.

“Never mind!” Alex backtracked quickly.

“What guy?” Thalia’s curiosity was piqued. “Who did you hurt?”

Asher took a sip of wine. “It’s nothing. He’s exaggerating.”

“Asher, shush. I want to hear this,” Thalia said firmly.

“Look who’s wrapped around her finger,” Alex teased.

William smiled. “That’s called devotion, not submission.”

“Our Asher, the doting fiancé,” Victoria added softly.

Chapter 47 (Continued)

“By the way,” Alex continued, “those two executives who harassed you? Their companies are being investigated for fraud. They’re in custody and their businesses are ruined. Feeling better?”

Thalia looked at Asher; his expression was cold.

“I said they’d pay the price.”

“They deserved it,” Thalia said, eating a piece of melon. Then she remembered: “Alex, you still haven’t told me about that guy Asher hurt.”

“Well…” Alex glanced at Asher. “Think his name was Evan Davenport?”

Thalia remembered him vividly. In her first year of secondary school, her close friend Emma had transferred due to family troubles. Thalia often waited for Emma after classes to go shopping. Davenport was the school bully, using his family’s money to gather a gang of followers. He’d targeted Emma, pursuing her aggressively. One day, he followed Emma to the school gates where Thalia was waiting.