( 0 ) Chapter 172 Sebastian sighed and said . " You can''t keep something like this under wraps forever , Victoria . They''re bound to find out sooner orter . " Victoria''s eyshes trembled , her voicecking its usual vivacity , tinged with sadness . " Sebastian , I''m scared …. Maybe we should just call it quits . " " Not a chance , " Sebastian''s voice carried an upromising determination . " Victoria , trust me , yeah ? I''ll sort this mess out properly .


    " Victoria''s expression was a mixture of sadness and resignation . " How exactly are you going to sort it ? You expecting Mum and your dad to get divorced just so we can be together ? " Sebastian frowned and fell silent . Thalia listened , feeling a headacheing on . She sighed , saying with resignation , " Look , I''ll keep your secret , but this needs sorting out sharpish .


    It''s one thing me finding out , but imagine if some gossip - hungry snoop spotted you , took a few sneaky photos and flogged them to the tabloids . You''d be sshed across The Sun by tomorrow morning . " Thalia looked at Victoria , speaking earnestly , " Victoria , Sebastian''s right . You can''t keep this hidden forever . Your parents will find out eventually . Better they hear it from you than from someone else . " Victoria kept her eyes downcast , staring at the floor , saying nothing .


    Sebastian reached out and pulled her into his arms . " Victoria , I''m here . Don''t be afraid . " Leaving the restaurant , Thalia drove back to the Winters family home . Tomorrow was Sunday , with no workmitments , so she wanted to spend time with Lucy . While waiting at a traffic light , her phone screen lit up . There was a new message . Thalia opened it . Rupert : [ Made it home yet ? ] Thalia replied .


    10.10 Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress 98.8 % Chapter 172 [ Still on the road . Everything alright ? ] Rupert''s response came almost instantly . Just drive carefully . We can chat when you''re home . ] Thalia : [ Will do . ] Meanwhile . Asher received a phone call . His friend and ckwood Group shareholder , Ares Hidalgo , asked gossipy on the phone : " Asher , what''s the story with you and Thalia Winters ? Haven''t you two patched things up yet ? " " What''s this about ?


    " Asher''s features were stern , his voice utterly cold . " Guess who I spotted tonight ? " Ares teased . Asher had little patience for games . " If there''s nothing important , I''m hanging up . " " Oh ,e off it , " Ares quickly continued . " I saw Thalia Winters ! " Asher''s fingers tightened around the phone . " When ? Where ? " Ares chuckled , teasing , " Well , well , someone''s suddenly all ears ! Just a moment ago you couldn''t be bothered , and now look at you .


    I knew it - mention Thalia Winters and you''re a different bloke entirely . " Asher''s tone was frigid . " Cut to the chase . " " Alright , alright , keep your hair on , " Ares adopted a more serious tone . " But brace yourself - this is bad news for you . " Asher remained silent .


    Ares dropped his yful manner , speaking rather seriously : " I was having dinner with clients at a restaurant tonight , and just as I stepped out of our private room , I spotted your Thalia leaving another room with Rupert Lysander . " Asher''s expression grew even colder . Ares paused briefly , then continued , " I also saw Anthony Garret , the Garret family''s eldest son , with his wife and kid , along with his in -ws .


    Oh , and by the way , Anthony''s in -ws are Rupert''s grandparents , did you know ? Rupert''s parents have been in Australia for years , so his only family in the country are his grandparents and his aunt Amanda , who is Anthony''s wife . " " You seem remarkably well - informed about Lysander''s family , " Ashermented . 99.00 Chapter 172 Ares chuckled . " Well , I''ve been keeping tabs on him for your sake , haven''t I ?


    That bloke had the cheek to chase Thalia all the way to Cambridge back at uni and even confessed his feelings right under your nose . Thought I should keep an eye on him for you . " After listening , Asher asked , " So ? What are you getting at ? " Ares replied sympathetically , " Look , Asher , from what I saw , it looked like she was meeting his family . Things are moving bloody fast , don''t you think ? Didn''t you two only break up in January ?


    It''s barely been three months , and Thalia''s already at the '' meeting the family '' stage with Lysander … " Before Ares could finish , Asher had already hung up , unable to listen any further . Standing before the floor - to - ceiling windows of his vi , the man frowned deeply , his handsome features filled with destion . This couldn''t continue . He had to win Thalia back . When Thalia arrived at the Winters home , the lights were on in the ground floor hall .


    Randolph Winters was sitting on the sofa watching financial news . Seeing her return , Randolph''s gaze softened . " You''re back . " " Yes , " Thalia walked over and sat on another sofa . " I came to see Lucy . Is she asleep ? " " Just nodded off , " Randolph said . " Did you manage to get some dinner ? " Thalia nodded . " Yes , I did . " " Has Lucy''s condition improved recently ? " Thalia asked . " Much better . " " That''s good to hear , " Thalia said .


    " I''m free tomorrow , so I''ll stay and keep herpany . " Randolph looked at her with approval . " That would be lovely . " " Thalia , you''ve been through so much , " Randolph''s eyes reflected concern . " In Russia … " Seeming to find it difficult to continue , Randolph paused before asking , " When you were kidnapped , did they … did they hurt you ? " Thalia shook her head . " Nothing serious . Just a bit of rough handling . It''s all behind me now .


    " ie Actually A True Heiress 99.1 % Chapter 172 Randolph''s eyes showed deeper concern . " Thalia , I''m so sorry . I failed to protect you . I''ve hired a new team of highly skilled bodyguards . Some paperwork is still being processed , but once they arrive in London in a couple of days , I''ll assign several to you . " Thalia replied , " Bodyguards can''t protect me everywhere all the time . " " They can , " Randolph said .


    " One of the new recruits is a female bodyguard who previously served as personal protection for a British royal princess . With her guarding you , I''ll have peace of mind . Have her work at yourw firm , and if possible , it would be best if she lived with you . " Thalia didn''t want to be used as a pawn against Asher by Tom Malfoy again . Hearing that Randolph had arranged for a female bodyguard for her personal protection , Thalia nodded . " Alright , Dad .


    Please also assign more bodyguards to protect yourself , Victoria , and Lucy . " " I''ve taken care of that . Don''t worry . " " Good . " The topic concluded . After a moment of silence . Randolph asked with genuine interest , " How''s thew firm going ? Everything running smoothly ? " Father and daughter hadn''t sat down for a proper conversation in a long time . After everything they''d been through , Thalia and her father no longer bristled with tension whenever they spoke .


    Thalia said , " It''s going well . " Randolph looked pleased , his gaze affectionate . " My little girl''s all grown up . " Thalia pressed her lips together without responding . " Still dead set against getting involved with the family business ? " Randolph asked gently . " Your aunt and I thought we might transfer some shares to you . You wouldn''t need to worry about operational risks or liabilities - just collect the dividends . " " I''d like that .


    " Randolph was slightly surprised , not expecting Thalia to agree so readily . " Dad … " Thalia looked up at Randolph . " I was being childish before . Now I just want our family to live in harmony ." " Yes , yes , " Randolph''s eyes actually glistened with tears as he murmured , " Our family , get along well . " Heiress 99.2 % Chapter 173