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17kNovel > Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress (Thalia) > Chapter 176

Chapter 176

    99.3 % Chapter 176 Winters & Associates was thriving with an ever - increasing caseload , prompting the recent recruitment of teneral new solicitors and their assistants . The HR , Finance , and Administrative departments had likewise expanded , adding fresh faces to their teams . As the firm grew , its policies and procedures became increasingly sophisticated to match its new scale .


    Thanks to Asher''s interventions , the staff now enjoyed gourmet refreshments every few days , which had nofoall brightened the office atmosphere . Thalia couldn''t deny seeing a marked improvement in everyone''s motration and efficiency . She had to admit - begrudgingly - that Asher''s " charm offensive " was actually working , Her only headache was Asher''s persistent presence at the firm , appearing two or even three days out of the the day workweek .


    Under the paper - thin pretense of " checking on case progress , " heaven only knew what his real agenda was Whenever he appeared , the female staff would be visibly flustered , stealing nces at him andpletely losing focus on their work . That afternoon , Asher arrived once again .


    He strolled into Thalia''s office with the easy confidence of someone who belonged there , settled on the sofa , and casually poured himself a cup of tea , acting as though thew firm were his second home . Thalia kept her eyes fixed on herputer screen , methodically typing legal documents without even a fleeting nce in his direction . For all the attention she gave him , the distinguished man sitting in her office might as well have been invisible .


    Asher sat quietly , sipping his tea . He made no attempt to interrupt her work . After a couple of sips , he ced the cup on the coffee table , crossed his long legs casually , and let his gaze rest on Thalia . From his vantage point , her profile was perfectly framed . For work , she wore subtle makeup , her long hair neatly pinned back , dressed in a light caramel - colered perfectly bnced professional authority with refined elegance .


    Her skin had a healthy glow against the neutral tones of her outfit . In profile , the elegant line of her nose was more pronounced , and her long eyshes flickered slightly with each blink . Asher''s dark eyes remained focused on her , his Adam''s apple shifting almost imperceptibly . 15:13 Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress Chapter 176 God , she''s beautiful . I want to kiss her . Perhaps sensing his unwavering attention , Thalia turned to look at him .


    Their eyes met across the room . Asher held her gaze openly , making no attempt to disguise his interest . Thalia''s fingers paused over the keyboard , her brow creasing slightly . Finally unable to maintain the charade of ignoring him , she spoke with evident irritation : " Finding yourself with an abundance of free time , Mr. ckwood ? " " Quite the contrary , " he replied , his tone lifting with undisguised pleasure . " Simply stealing a moment from an otherwise packed schedule .


    " Thalia scoffed . " Is our firm''s performance causing you concern ? These constant inspection visits suggest a certainck of trust . " Asher looked at her , his lips curving slightly . " I am concerned , but not about your firm . My concern is directed at a particr individual . " " And who might that be ? " Thalia''s frown deepened . " Mr. Lysander , " Asher said quietly . " … " Thalia was momentarily speechless . " What exactly has Rupert done to offend you ? " Asher smiled .


    " Attempting to poach my staff - would Ms. Winters not consider that provocation ? " Thalia : " … " A weighted silence fell between them . After a beat , Asher continued with a self - satisfied smile : " Not that my people are so easily poached . I''ve noticed our mutual friend looking rather detedtely - rejected , I presume ? " Thalia rolled her eyes at him , then pointed to a stack of papers on her desk .


    " If you''re genuinely that desperate for upation , make yourself useful and shred these documents . " " With pleasure , " he readily agreed . He immediately stood , strode over with natural grace , and collected the stack of papers . Rather than retreating , however , Asher leaned down , his face unnecessarily close to hers as he asked in a deliberately lowered voice " " Where might I find the shredder , Ms. Winters ? " 94506 Chapter 176 .


    He stood too close , the subtle notes of his expensive cologne - sandalwood and something distinctly masculine invading her personal space . His voice carried that particr husky quality that seemed calcted to disarm . Tha''s pulse quickened Traitorously . He was being deliberately provocative . She was certain of it . Thalia felt heat rising to her cheeks - purely from annoyance , she told herself . " How could you possibly miss a shredder of that size staring you in the face ?


    " Her tone was sharp with exasperation . " Where exactly ? " he persisted . " It''s right there . " Thalia instinctively turned her head to point , and her lips identally brushed against his . Thalia sprang to her feet instantly . " Asher ckwood ! " He had leaned in even closer , which had caused the inadvertent contact when she turned . Genuine anger shed across her face . " Would you kindly stop this ridiculous behavior ?


    I''m exceptionally busy and haven''t the slightest inclination to entertain your childish games . " Recognizing he''d pushed too far , Asher backed off a bit . He lifted the stack of papers from the desk and adopted a gentler , cating tone : " I genuinely didn''t see it , Lia . My apologies . " " Do you take me for aplete idiot ? " Thalia''s face flushed crimson , her voice rising noticeably . Asher walked to the shredder and began methodically feeding in the papers . " Don''t be cross .


    Let me make it up to you with dinner - that Korean barbecue ce you''re so fond of . " " Absolutely not ! " Just then , someone knocked on the door . Thalia took a deep breath topose herself before saying , " Come in . " Rupert entered , impably dressed as always , his gold - rimmed sses framing an amused expression . " Since when does the illustrious CEO of ckwood Group perform tasks typically assigned to junior staff ? " He then turned to Thalia with a teasing smile . " Ms.


    Winters , when did our modest firm be prestigious enough to have Mr. ckwood performing clerical duties ? " Thalia was in no mood for banter . Her expression darkened visibly , her tone clipped : " Some people evidently have an excess of leisure . " Actually A True Heiress 99.7 % Chapter 176 Noticing her genuine displeasure , Rupert''s smile faded as concern took its ce . " Is everything alright ? Has something happened ?


    " Before Thalia could respond , Asher interjected : " She''s rather upied at present , and your arrival has interrupted her concentration . Hardly cause for celebration , wouldn''t you agree ? " Thalia : " Rupert appeared momentarily wrong footed . " Should Ie backter , then ? " " That would be best , " Asher replied dismissively . " Would you please stopplicating matters ? " Thalia directed this squarely at Asher . Asher fell silent .


    He returned his attention to the shredder , continuing his task without furtherment . Rupert nced between Thalia and Asher , evidently trying to read the situation . Asher met his gaze with an enigmatic smile . Suddenly , Rupert''s attention caught on something - a smudge of red on the other man''s lip . The crimson streak extended diagonally from his lower lip toward his chin . Rupert''s expression darkened perceptibly .


    His eyes moved up to meet Asher''s , finding unmistakable triumph and challenge in the other man''s gaze . Rupert lowered his eyes , his voice entirely stripped of its earlier warmth : " I''ll leave you to your work , then , Ms. Winters . " With that , he turned and left without another word . Asher''s lips curled into a subtle , satisfied smile as he continued feeding papers into the shredder . Thalia was bewildered by the exchange - what had caused Rupert''s sudden change in demeanor ?


    She turned to study Asher suspiciously . He was bent over the shredder , casually humming to himself , radiating an air of utter contentment with every fiber of his being . Thalia stared at him , trying to decipher Rupert''s abrupt shift in attitude . Sensing her scrutiny , Asher looked up with a smirk . " Your words may say one thing , but your body tells quite Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress 99.8 % Chapter 176 another story . " Thalia blushed instantly .


    " What absolute nonsense are you spouting now ? " " I merely meant your eyes betray you - they can''t help but find their way to me , " Asher met her gaze directly , his expression insufferably smug . " Why , what did you think I meant ? " " I wasn''t thinking anything ! Stop putting words in my mouth ! " As she finished speaking . Thalia suddenly noticed the red smudge on his lip . She froze , horrified realization washing over her . Her lipstick had transferred to him ! And Rupert had seen it ! ? ( 0 )
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