Thalia nced down at her caller ID.
It was Lucy Jenkins from herw firm.
She answered the call.
“Ms. Winters, could you possiblye over? There’s something I need your help with.”
Thaliaposed herself quickly. “What’s happening?”
Lucy kept it brief, exining the situation sinctly.
Thalia’s brow furrowed with concern. “Wait for me. I’ll be right over.”
Ending the call, Thalia grabbed her handbag and prepared to leave. “I’ve got to go–something’se up.
Let’s catch up another time.”
Victoria pouted dramatically. “Is it really urgent? You’re not setting an rm as an excuse to escape our
interrogation, are you?”
Thalia sighed, showing Victoria her call history. “I’m not making it up, I promise. It’s genuinely important.”
Victoria crossed her arms. “Fine, then. But next time I’ll subject you to a proper grilling–you’ll have to tell
us absolutely everything!”
“Agreed.”
With that single word, Thalia hurried out.
Victoria shuffled closer to Charlotte on the sofa. “Charlotte, what do you think… it feels like? You know…
that.”
Charlotte’s face turned crimson<b>, </b>stuttering: “I… I wouldn’t know… I’ve never had a boyfriend…”
“Ah, yes.” Victoria patted Charlotte’s shoulder with mock solemnity. “You’re the good girl. You’re not allowed to date. None of those ruffians deserve you anyway.”
Her words reminded her of her own regrettable first rtionship.
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True
Victoria had dated once, during her first year at university.
Her boyfriend had been an attractive upperssman with many admirers.
Victoria was beautiful and from a wealthy family, so she had plenty of suitors herself, but she had fallen for that particr senior.
He had been the one to pursue her.
In the early days of their rtionship, she had been inseparable from him, constantly unting their happiness to Charlotte and Thalia.
As the saying goes, “Show off your love, and it’ll quickly die“-and how true that proved to be.
Victoria had learned this the hard way.
Less than two months into their rtionship, the senior’s long–distance girlfriend had confronted her, and Victoria discovered she had unwittingly be “the other woman.”
She had joined forces with the girlfriend to expose the cheater, making his two–timing known across campus and turning him into a social pariah.
Sebastian had even stormed into the university and given the scoundrel a thorough beating.
In the end, Sebastian had used his family’s influence to force the man to drop out.
Since then, Victoria had been wary of rtionships and hadn’t dated anyone in all these years.
The most intimate thing she had done with the cheater was kissing–she hadn’t even contemted sleeping with him.
“Bloody hell…” Victoria let out a heavy breath, “I feel like I might never get to experience it…”
When Thalia arrived in her car, Lucy wasforting a distraught young woman.
“Ms. Winters, thank goodness you’re here!” Lucy’s eyes brightened at the sight of Thalia. “Please help
Teresa. She’s in a dreadful situation.”
Thalia asked: “Lucy<b>, </b>could you exin what’s happened in detail?”
“It’s like this–this young woman is Teresa Bormen, my neighbor. Teresa is an orphan and dependent on
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True s
her brother. Her brother left school early to work and support her education, but…”
Lucy’s expression became pained, her eyes growing misty. “Teresa was recently diagnosed with leukemia. She had to leave school and was hospitalized for treatment. Her brother, Mark, took on extra shifts at the factory to cover her medical expenses, working over twelve hours a day…”
At this point, Teresa, whom Lucy had just managed to calm, began crying again. “My brother was exhausted. His concentrationpsed at work, and his hand got caught in the machinery. He’s lost his entire right hand…”
Teresa broke down, unable to continue. “I… I…”
Lucy gently rubbed Teresa’s back tofort her. “Ms. Winters, Mark is currently hospitalized. This is clearly a workce injury, but the factory hasn’t provided properpensation. The owner merely gave him two months‘ sry and dismissed him. Mark has been sacked, and the factory hasn’t paid any of the requiredpensations–the disability allowance, medical subsidy, or employment assistance payment.”
Teresa wept heartbrokenly. “I know I don’t have much time left, but my brother still has his whole life ahead of him. All his savings have gone toward my treatment. Now that the factory won’t pay, he can barely afford his hospital bills. Ms. Winters, please help us.”
Thalia felt a heavy weight in her chest. Visibly moved, sheforted Teresa: “I understand the situation. Please try to calm down. Would it be possible to take me to see your brother at the hospital now?”
“Yes!” Teresa nodded eagerly. “I’ll take you there.”
Meanwhile, at the Tribeca t.
“Mr. Ashcroft, what do you think of this t?” asked the estate agent in a ck suit with a polite smile.
He had shown Drake several units in this building.
From Mr. Ashcroft’s expression, this one seemed to please him the most.
Drake stood with his hands in his pockets, surveying the room before nodding slightly. “This one is quite suitable. I’ll take it.”
The agent was delighted and produced the purchase agreement. “Would you like to sign the contract
now?”
“Yes.”
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True!
“Excellent!” The agent cheerfully handed the contract to Drake.
Drake took the papers, sat down on the sofa, flipped through them briefly, and signed.
Recently, Grace had given him a business card. When he contacted the person, they had indeed invested a substantial sum in the Ashcroft Group. With the capital in ce, thepany’s projects could continue, and before long, Ashcroft Capital was back on track.
Money was no longer a concern for him.
To see Thalia regrly, Drake had decided to buy a t in her building.
This development had beenpleted a few years ago. Located in a prime area, the units had sold quickly, and there were no new ts avable.
Drake had purchased this resale unit, though the previous owner had rarely lived here, so there were few signs of habitation–it was nearly indistinguishable from a new t.
After signing the contract, Drake paid the full amount on the spot.
Once the agent left, he examined the t more carefully.
It was a fully furnished two–bedroom apartment with arge balcony. Though he didn’t particrly like the décor, he decided against renovating to move in as quickly as possible.
Drake sat contentedly on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, a cryptic smile ying at his lips.
Thalia, we’ll be neighbors now.
Teresa sat in Thalia’s Bentley, clearly ufortable, not knowing where to put her hands or feet.
The young woman tugged gently at Lucy’s sleeve. “Lucy?”
“What is it?”
Teresa leaned toward Lucy’s ear and whispered: “Is Ms. Winters‘ car very expensive?”
She looked down at her feet, her face flushed with embarrassment.
It had rained that day, and the streets were muddy.
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True
Teresa’s once–white canvas shoes, now yellowed from washing, were stained with mud, the toes
ckened.
Lucy followed her gaze. The young woman was rubbing her left foot against her right, revealing her
difort.
Thalia nced over. “Let me help you with that.”
Mark smiled awkwardly. “Thank you, Ms. Winters. I appreciate it.”
Thalia took Mark’s phone and suddenly froze as she looked at the screen.
The app disyed nothing but meals costing less than 2 pounds.
Thalia examined the interface more closely.
Budget Meals section.
She’d never paid attention to such inexpensive food options before.
Thalia’s brow furrowed slightly. How could meals be this cheap? They must barely cover the cost of
ingredients.
One could only imagine what sort of materials were used in such budget food.
Seeing Thalia’s furrowed brow and hesitation<b>, </b>Mark looked at her questioningly. “Is something wrong, Ms. Winters? Any option under ten pounds would be fine.”
Thalia handed the phone back to him. “I’ve just remembered seeing a Burger King downstairs in the hospital lobby. Their meals are reasonably priced as well. Why don’t I go down and get something for you? It would be quicker than delivery, so you could eat sooner.”
“Oh? Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”
Thalia shook her head. “It’s no trouble at all. It’s just downstairs. I won’t be long.”
Thalia left the hospital and walked to a nearby Granger & Co. in Notting Hill.
She took out her phone and messaged Lucy.
[Has Teresa had lunch yet?]
Lucy replied quickly.
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Hote
[I don’t think so. She came to find me around nine this morning, and we haven’t had time to eat yet.]
<b>[</b><b>I </b>see.]
She ordered meals for three people–Fresh Avocado Toast and Ricotta Hotcakes with banana and honey, all light and suitable for patients.
Suddenly remembering something, she also called to arrange for two private caregivers.
When she returned to the hospital with the beautifully packaged meals, the two caregivers she’d hired had already arrived.
One male, one female.
Thalia handed a meal to the man. “This is for the patient in Ward 503, Bed 4 on the fifth floor. His name is
Mark Bormen, and he’ll be under your care.”
The male caregiver nodded as he epted the food. “Understood.”
Thalia then gave the other two meals to the female caregiver. “These are for the patient in Ward 602, Bed
3 on the sixth floor.”
After this, Thalia went to the hospital’s payment office and paid the outstanding hospital and treatment
fees for the Bormen siblings.
As she left the hospital, Thalia received a PayPal notification from Mark.
[Ms. Winters, you’re a truly good person. Thank you for helping us.]
[The nurse just informed me that someone has paid all the outstanding fees for my sister and me. It was you, wasn’t it? Thank you so much. Once I receivepensation from the factory, I’ll repay you.]
Thalia felt a heaviness in her heart and simply replied with a brief “Yes.”
She declined the money he attempted to send her.
A biting wind blew through Thalia’s hair.
She stood by the flower bed at the hospital entrance, unable to calm her emotions.
Lucy stood behind her, wiping away tears, her voice choked: “Ms. Winters, the hospital has just issue.. another critical condition notice for Teresa. The attending physician says they haven’t found apatible bone marrow donor yet. If they don’t find one soon, Teresa… she doesn’t have much time left… Why is
eric Actually A True Bran
her life so difficult? She’s such a kind, lovely girl<b>. </b>She’s only eleven years old. Why is fate so bloody cruel?”
Lucy’s tears flowed uncontrobly as she broke down.
Thalia’s eyes also filled with tears.
Standing in the cold wind, the tip of her nose reddened from the chill, her heart constricted painfully.
Teresa was only eleven, with precious little time left.
Mark had left school early to work and earn money for his sister. Now he was disabled and had lost his ability to work, and he was barely neen.
After a long silence, Thalia took out her phone and made a call.
“Please connect me with a specialist in leukemia treatment at University College London Hospital. Also,e to themunity hospital on Harley Street to arrange transfer procedures for a brother and sister.”
<b>(</b><b>3</b><b>) </b>
(0)
Thalia nced down at her caller ID.
It was Lucy Jenkins from herw firm.
She answered the call.
“Ms. Winters, could you possiblye over? There’s something I need your help with.”
Thaliaposed herself quickly. “What’s happening?”
Lucy kept it brief, exining the situation sinctly.
Thalia’s brow furrowed with concern. “Wait for me. I’ll be right over.”
Ending the call, Thalia grabbed her handbag and prepared to leave. “I’ve got to go–something’se up.
Let’s catch up another time.”
Victoria pouted dramatically. “Is it really urgent? You’re not setting an rm as an excuse to escape our
interrogation, are you?”
Thalia sighed, showing Victoria her call history. “I’m not making it up, I promise. It’s genuinely important.”
Victoria crossed her arms. “Fine, then. But next time I’ll subject you to a proper grilling–you’ll have to tell
us absolutely everything!”
“Agreed.”
With that single word, Thalia hurried out.
Victoria shuffled closer to Charlotte on the sofa. “Charlotte, what do you think… it feels like? You know…
that.”
Charlotte’s face turned crimson<b>, </b>stuttering: “I… I wouldn’t know… I’ve never had a boyfriend…”
“Ah, yes.” Victoria patted Charlotte’s shoulder with mock solemnity. “You’re the good girl. You’re not allowed to date. None of those ruffians deserve you anyway.”
Her words reminded her of her own regrettable first rtionship.
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True
Victoria had dated once, during her first year at university.
Her boyfriend had been an attractive upperssman with many admirers.
Victoria was beautiful and from a wealthy family, so she had plenty of suitors herself, but she had fallen for that particr senior.
He had been the one to pursue her.
In the early days of their rtionship, she had been inseparable from him, constantly unting their happiness to Charlotte and Thalia.
As the saying goes, “Show off your love, and it’ll quickly die“-and how true that proved to be.
Victoria had learned this the hard way.
Less than two months into their rtionship, the senior’s long–distance girlfriend had confronted her, and Victoria discovered she had unwittingly be “the other woman.”
She had joined forces with the girlfriend to expose the cheater, making his two–timing known across campus and turning him into a social pariah.
Sebastian had even stormed into the university and given the scoundrel a thorough beating.
In the end, Sebastian had used his family’s influence to force the man to drop out.
Since then, Victoria had been wary of rtionships and hadn’t dated anyone in all these years.
The most intimate thing she had done with the cheater was kissing–she hadn’t even contemted sleeping with him.
“Bloody hell…” Victoria let out a heavy breath, “I feel like I might never get to experience it…”
When Thalia arrived in her car, Lucy wasforting a distraught young woman.
“Ms. Winters, thank goodness you’re here!” Lucy’s eyes brightened at the sight of Thalia. “Please help
Teresa. She’s in a dreadful situation.”
Thalia asked: “Lucy<b>, </b>could you exin what’s happened in detail?”
“It’s like this–this young woman is Teresa Bormen, my neighbor. Teresa is an orphan and dependent on
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True s
her brother. Her brother left school early to work and support her education, but…”
Lucy’s expression became pained, her eyes growing misty. “Teresa was recently diagnosed with leukemia. She had to leave school and was hospitalized for treatment. Her brother, Mark, took on extra shifts at the factory to cover her medical expenses, working over twelve hours a day…”
At this point, Teresa, whom Lucy had just managed to calm, began crying again. “My brother was exhausted. His concentrationpsed at work, and his hand got caught in the machinery. He’s lost his entire right hand…”
Teresa broke down, unable to continue. “I… I…”
Lucy gently rubbed Teresa’s back tofort her. “Ms. Winters, Mark is currently hospitalized. This is clearly a workce injury, but the factory hasn’t provided properpensation. The owner merely gave him two months‘ sry and dismissed him. Mark has been sacked, and the factory hasn’t paid any of the requiredpensations–the disability allowance, medical subsidy, or employment assistance payment.”
Teresa wept heartbrokenly. “I know I don’t have much time left, but my brother still has his whole life ahead of him. All his savings have gone toward my treatment. Now that the factory won’t pay, he can barely afford his hospital bills. Ms. Winters, please help us.”
Thalia felt a heavy weight in her chest. Visibly moved, sheforted Teresa: “I understand the situation. Please try to calm down. Would it be possible to take me to see your brother at the hospital now?”
“Yes!” Teresa nodded eagerly. “I’ll take you there.”
Meanwhile, at the Tribeca t.
“Mr. Ashcroft, what do you think of this t?” asked the estate agent in a ck suit with a polite smile.
He had shown Drake several units in this building.
From Mr. Ashcroft’s expression, this one seemed to please him the most.
Drake stood with his hands in his pockets, surveying the room before nodding slightly. “This one is quite suitable. I’ll take it.”
The agent was delighted and produced the purchase agreement. “Would you like to sign the contract
now?”
“Yes.”
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True!
“Excellent!” The agent cheerfully handed the contract to Drake.
Drake took the papers, sat down on the sofa, flipped through them briefly, and signed.
Recently, Grace had given him a business card. When he contacted the person, they had indeed invested a substantial sum in the Ashcroft Group. With the capital in ce, thepany’s projects could continue, and before long, Ashcroft Capital was back on track.
Money was no longer a concern for him.
To see Thalia regrly, Drake had decided to buy a t in her building.
This development had beenpleted a few years ago. Located in a prime area, the units had sold quickly, and there were no new ts avable.
Drake had purchased this resale unit, though the previous owner had rarely lived here, so there were few signs of habitation–it was nearly indistinguishable from a new t.
After signing the contract, Drake paid the full amount on the spot.
Once the agent left, he examined the t more carefully.
It was a fully furnished two–bedroom apartment with arge balcony. Though he didn’t particrly like the décor, he decided against renovating to move in as quickly as possible.
Drake sat contentedly on the sofa, one leg crossed over the other, a cryptic smile ying at his lips.
Thalia, we’ll be neighbors now.
Teresa sat in Thalia’s Bentley, clearly ufortable, not knowing where to put her hands or feet.
The young woman tugged gently at Lucy’s sleeve. “Lucy?”
“What is it?”
Teresa leaned toward Lucy’s ear and whispered: “Is Ms. Winters‘ car very expensive?”
She looked down at her feet, her face flushed with embarrassment.
It had rained that day, and the streets were muddy.
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True
Teresa’s once–white canvas shoes, now yellowed from washing, were stained with mud, the toes
ckened.
Lucy followed her gaze. The young woman was rubbing her left foot against her right, revealing her
difort.
Thalia nced over. “Let me help you with that.”
Mark smiled awkwardly. “Thank you, Ms. Winters. I appreciate it.”
Thalia took Mark’s phone and suddenly froze as she looked at the screen.
The app disyed nothing but meals costing less than 2 pounds.
Thalia examined the interface more closely.
Budget Meals section.
She’d never paid attention to such inexpensive food options before.
Thalia’s brow furrowed slightly. How could meals be this cheap? They must barely cover the cost of
ingredients.
One could only imagine what sort of materials were used in such budget food.
Seeing Thalia’s furrowed brow and hesitation<b>, </b>Mark looked at her questioningly. “Is something wrong, Ms. Winters? Any option under ten pounds would be fine.”
Thalia handed the phone back to him. “I’ve just remembered seeing a Burger King downstairs in the hospital lobby. Their meals are reasonably priced as well. Why don’t I go down and get something for you? It would be quicker than delivery, so you could eat sooner.”
“Oh? Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”
Thalia shook her head. “It’s no trouble at all. It’s just downstairs. I won’t be long.”
Thalia left the hospital and walked to a nearby Granger & Co. in Notting Hill.
She took out her phone and messaged Lucy.
[Has Teresa had lunch yet?]
Lucy replied quickly.
13:16
Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Hote
[I don’t think so. She came to find me around nine this morning, and we haven’t had time to eat yet.]
<b>[</b><b>I </b>see.]
She ordered meals for three people–Fresh Avocado Toast and Ricotta Hotcakes with banana and honey, all light and suitable for patients.
Suddenly remembering something, she also called to arrange for two private caregivers.
When she returned to the hospital with the beautifully packaged meals, the two caregivers she’d hired had already arrived.
One male, one female.
Thalia handed a meal to the man. “This is for the patient in Ward 503, Bed 4 on the fifth floor. His name is
Mark Bormen, and he’ll be under your care.”
The male caregiver nodded as he epted the food. “Understood.”
Thalia then gave the other two meals to the female caregiver. “These are for the patient in Ward 602, Bed
3 on the sixth floor.”
After this, Thalia went to the hospital’s payment office and paid the outstanding hospital and treatment
fees for the Bormen siblings.
As she left the hospital, Thalia received a PayPal notification from Mark.
[Ms. Winters, you’re a truly good person. Thank you for helping us.]
[The nurse just informed me that someone has paid all the outstanding fees for my sister and me. It was you, wasn’t it? Thank you so much. Once I receivepensation from the factory, I’ll repay you.]
Thalia felt a heaviness in her heart and simply replied with a brief “Yes.”
She declined the money he attempted to send her.
A biting wind blew through Thalia’s hair.
She stood by the flower bed at the hospital entrance, unable to calm her emotions.
Lucy stood behind her, wiping away tears, her voice choked: “Ms. Winters, the hospital has just issue.. another critical condition notice for Teresa. The attending physician says they haven’t found apatible bone marrow donor yet. If they don’t find one soon, Teresa… she doesn’t have much time left… Why is
eric Actually A True Bran
her life so difficult? She’s such a kind, lovely girl<b>. </b>She’s only eleven years old. Why is fate so bloody cruel?”
Lucy’s tears flowed uncontrobly as she broke down.
Thalia’s eyes also filled with tears.
Standing in the cold wind, the tip of her nose reddened from the chill, her heart constricted painfully.
Teresa was only eleven, with precious little time left.
Mark had left school early to work and earn money for his sister. Now he was disabled and had lost his ability to work, and he was barely neen.
After a long silence, Thalia took out her phone and made a call.
“Please connect me with a specialist in leukemia treatment at University College London Hospital. Also,e to themunity hospital on Harley Street to arrange transfer procedures for a brother and sister.”
<b>(</b><b>3</b><b>) </b>
(0)