Chapter 173 Only after returning to her room did Thalia notice the message Rupert had sent half an hour earlier . [ Made it home , Ms. Winters ? ] Thalia : [ Yes , I have . Did you need to speak with me about something ? ] Rupert : [ Mind if I give you a ring ? ] Thalia : [ Go ahead . ] The next second , Rupert''s voice call came through . " What''s up , Rupert ? " Thalia asked . " I''m terribly sorry , Ms. Winters .


    I had no idea my aunt had invited the whole n today , " Rupert said apologetically . " She only told me that you''d found Lena when she was lost in the park , and wanted to take you to dinner as a thank you . She mentioned that since we''re partners and fairly well acquainted , she was worried you might feel a bit awkward without me there , so she asked me along . She never mentioned she''d roped in my grandparents as well . I''m truly sorry about that .


    " Thaliaughed , " I was wondering what this was all about . Don''t worry yourself over it . I''m not exactly shy . " Rupert said somewhat embarrassedly , " I was worried we might have thrown you in at the deep end . My aunt can be rather full - on . My parents have been abroad for years , and my aunt has taken it upon herself to sort out my love life . She''s forever arranging blind dates for me . When she met you , she got the wrong end of the stick about our rtionship .


    I''ve exined it to her , but it seems to have gone in one ear and out the other … " Thalia was momentarily taken aback . She hadn''t imagined Amanda had such intentions . After processing the meaning behind Rupert''s words , Thalia hesitantly asked , " So your aunt is trying to y matchmaker with us ? " There was a moment of silence on the other end of the call . The man''s breathing was clearly audible . After a few seconds , Rupert gave an ambiguous " Mm - hmm .


    " Thalia found it somewhat absurd . Sheughed , " Your aunt might be disappointed , I''m afraid . I don''t have any ns to date at the moment . Thew 16-18 Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress 99.4 % Chapter 173 firm has just opened , and there''s loads to do . Right now , I''mpletely focused on my career , " Hearing this response , a sh of disappointment crossed Rupert''s eyes , and he silently sighed .


    He had actually been testing the waters with what he''d just said , trying to gauge Thalia''s feelings . Although her answer was what he had expected , he couldn''t help feeling disappointed . After all these days of interaction , he had confirmed one thing . Thalia hadpletely forgotten him . After being rejected during his university confession , he had avoided contact with women his age for a long time .


    Several yearster , at a graduation dinner , a ssmate who had been pursuing him confessed her feelings again . The girl was drunk and crying her eyes out . The girl had been pursuing him since Freshers '' Week , for four years straight . That night , looking at the girl with her tear - reddened eyes , he thought it was time to move on , so he agreed to give it a try with her .


    If falling for someone for the first time counted as first love , then Thalia Winters was undoubtedly his first love . But if the first rtionship counted as first love , then that girl was his first love . He had tried very hard to develop feelings for someone else . After three months of dating , he realized he still couldn''t do it . When he broke up with her , he offered the girl a lot ofpensation , but she didn''t ept anything . " Rupert Lysander , you don''t have a heart .


    " This was thest thing his ex - girlfriend said to him . At the time , he remained silent , saying nothing . The girl left . She didn''t take the ￡ 200,000 breakup fee , nor the designer bags he had bought her . " Rupert , we are colleagues and friends , " Thalia paused , then continued , " But we won''t be romantic partners . " " Not even a glimmer of hope ? " Rupert asked in a lowered voice , the wordsing out with difficulty . Thalia almost thought she was hearing things .


    How could Rupert say something like this ? 16:18 Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress 99.5 % In their daily interactions , she had never sensed that Rupert had any special feelings for her . Perhaps he was being pressured to settle down and wanted to find someone suitable , and she just happened to be in his line of sight at this time . That must be why Rupert was asking such a question . Thalia told herself this . Faced with Rupert''s question , Thalia didn''t know what to say .


    After pondering , she simply said , " I''m sorry . " Rupert''s heart sank to the bottom . " Forget I said anything . me it on the wine , " Rupert''s voice was slightly hoarse . " Get some rest . Goodnight . Ms. Winters . " " Goodnight . " Thalia hung up the phone . Rupert stared down at the ended call . His heart ached dully . Rejected again . How could they say he didn''t have a heart ? It''s just that his heart only had room for one person . But that person would never see him .


    The next day , after breakfast , Thalia went upstairs to Lucy''s room to draw with her . She took out the pink hairpins she had bought for Lucy . " Lucy , this is a little gift from your sister . Do you like them ? " The hairpins were the same style as the ones she had given Lena . When she bought them , she knew her sister would love these sparkly pink hairpins . Sure enough , when Lucy saw the hairpins , her eyes lit up like stars , full of delight . " Wow , they''re gorgeous ! Thanks sis .


    " " Here , let me put them on for you . " Thalia ced the hairpins in her sister''s hair . " They look lovely on you . " Victoria had said that Lucy''s mental state had improved significantly . The most noticeable change was that she no longer talked in her sleep or woke up crying . Thalia felt her sense of guilt ease a little . 99.7 % Chapter 173 Launch was at the Winters home , with Victoria personally preparing feast of dishes that both Locy and Thalia loved .


    Thalia spent the entire Sunday at home ying with her sister . That evening . Thalia stayed overnight at the Winters residence , Early the next morning , she drove back to thew firm . Upon seeing Rupert , Thalis greeted him casually : " Morning Rupert , " Rupert smiled and replied : " Morning " The atmosphere between them was the same as usual , as if that evening conversation had never happened . Thalia went to her office and quickly immersed herself in work .


    Just after finishing a statement of im , the receptionist came to knock on her door . " Ms. Winters , there''s a client here to see you . " Thalia was puzzled , she hadn''t scheduled any client meetings today . She rose and headed to the reception room . Opening the door , she saw a familiar face , Thalia''s brow furrowed slightly . " Mr. ckwood , what brings you here ? " Asher was wearing a blue - grey suit .


    His features were sharp , his expression impassive as he sat on the sofa , exuding an innate air of nobility . Upon seeing Thalia , the man''s stern gaze instantly softened. His lips moved as he greeted her : " Morning , Ms. Winters . " Thalia''s brow creased . Asher stared directly at Thalía , the corner of his eye lifting slightly . " I''d like to engage your firm to handle several cases .


    " Thalia : " … " " If I''m not mistaken , ckwood Group has an entire legal department full of solicitors who went to Oxford , " Thalia''s tone was professionally cool but with a hint of mockery . " Surely they can manage without our humble assistance ? " " Of course , " Asher''s lips curled slightly . " But I specifically want to work with you . That''s not a problem , is it ? " 16:18 Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress