Chapter 204 The next morning . Rupert drove Lena to the Winters hem . At the entrance to the ratedmunity , Rupert''s car and Asher''s ended up one behind the other . Asher had visited ckwood Law Firm several times , and twice had happened to see Rupert driving out from the underground parking garage - a Mack Maybach with a license te hardmitted to memory .


    As they entered themunity , Asher elerated , pulling his Cullinen in front of Rupert''s car , then deliberately slowed down . In the Maybach , Rupert nced at his rearview mirror as the Cullinan cut in front of him , and a slight smirk yed on his lips . What a lovely way to start the morning - running into his rival Rupert wasn''t bothered by Asher''s provocative maneuver . He simply eased off the gas , following behind with casual confidence .


    A few minutester , they arrived at the Winters '' vi . Asher parked his car . Rupert did the same . Both men stepped out simultaneously , The morning breeze carried the fresh scent of dew and garden flowers , gently rustling the leaves of nearby trees as warm sunlight filtered through the branches . Despite the beautiful morning , the atmosphere between the two men was anything but pleasant . The air crackled with tension .


    Asher''s dark eyes were cold as a bottomless abyss , sharp with hostility . His gaze cut toward Rupert like a de as his lips curled into a cold smile . " What brings you to the Winters '' house so early , Mr. Lysander ? " Rupert maintained a pleasant smile , though his eyes remained ice - cold . " That''s really none of your business . " Asher''s gaze hardened . " Don''t covet what isn''t yours . " Rupert met his stare unflinchingly . " And what makes you think she belongs to you ?


    " " She can only be mine , " Asher replied , his voice low and dangerous . " I wouldn''t be so sure about that , " Rupert countered , still smiling though his eyes had turned razor - sharp . " Hmph . " Asher let out a derisive snort . " People might think you''re so devoted , but didn''t I hear you dated someone else in college ? " Rupert''sposed expression didn''t falter , maintaining his cultured demeanor .


    09:50 - Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress 99.5 % Campner 201 You for the the Nothing happened . " * Are you trying to say you''re still pure ? Asher''s lips twisted into a mocking smile . " You confessed to Thalia , then dated outerte alise , and now you''re back pursuing her again . What exactly do you take her for ? " Adhary tok totimidating steps toward Rupert . The tension between them intensified . His eyes grew even colder .


    " She''s not your fallback option Rupert''s stulle vanishedpletely . His expression darkened , and just as he was about to respond , Thalia''s voice suddenly called out from behind him " Rupert ! You''re here ! Why are you standing outside ? " Thalia had spotted Rupert from an upstairs window and wondered why he wasn''ting in . From her position at the gate , Thalia could see Rupert''s profile through the iron bars .


    But Asher was standing behind a wall , partially obscured by a tree in the yard , so she hadn''t noticed him . Hearing Thalia''s voice , Rupert''s harsh expression instantly softened . He turned and called back : " Coming ! " Then , with aposed smile , he turned to Asher and said , " If you''ll excuse me . " Repert drove his car into the Winters courtyard , parked , and opened the rear door for Lena . " Let''s go see Thalia , shall we ? * " Hey ! " Lena eximed excitedly .


    Asher watched Rupert''s retreating figure , his fingers slowly clenching into fists . Victoria had taken a liking to Rupert . During their previous encounter at the hospital , when she learned Rupert had obtained the Guardian Angel Charm from St. Paul''s Cathedral for Thalia , she''d mentioned it to Randolph when she got home . Randolph''s reaction had been nomittal - just a simple " hmm " without furtherment .


    Victoria couldn''t tell if that meant he disapproved of Rupert or was actually warming to him . This time , both Victoria and Randolph happened to be home when Rupert arrived . Rupert , always well mannered , never came empty - handed . He''d brought gifts on his previous visits too , though Randolph and Victoria hadn''t both been present then .


    Rupert greeted Randolph respectfully and presented his carefully selected gifts : two bottles of 25 - year - old Macall whisky and an exquisite Ralph Lauren Home tea set . He''d done his research - Randolph didn''t smoke but enjoyed fine tea and asionally appreciated good liquor . Your Gold Dizzer is Actually A True Heiress 99.6 % Chester 204 A housekeeper took the gifts , and Randolph gave them a brief appraising nce , a flicker of approval crossing his face . But only a flicker .


    He wasn''t about to be won over by mere gifts when it came to his precious daughter . " That''s thoughtful of you , " Randolph said politely . Victoria was more weing . With a warm smile , she said , " Rupert , you really shouldn''t have brought anything . You''re too kind " Rupert smiled graciously . " It''s the least I could do . " Lucy spotted Lena and ran over excitedly , taking her hand . " Lena ,e see my room ! " Lena beamed back . " Okay , Lucy !


    " After the children went upstairs , Thalia and Rupert sat down in the living room . A housekeeper brought hot tea and a te of freshly cut fruit . " Mr. Lysander , please help yourself . " " Thank you . " Thalia got straight to business . " You mentioned some cases you wanted to discuss ? " Rupert nodded . " Yes , let''s get to it . " The two became deeply engrossed in their professional discussion . Randolph observed them briefly before quietly excusing himself to the tea room .


    Victoria tactfully withdrew as well . Before leaving , she nced back at them , thinking to herself that Rupert and Thalia made a good match . If only Thalia could move on from Asher and give Rupert a chance . Returning to work at thew firm , Thalia finally felt whole again . After more than a month of recovery in the hospital , she''d been forced to have other attorneys cover her court appearances .


    When she''d wanted to review case files , her friends had refused to bring them to the hospital , insisting she focus on recovery rather than work . During one of his hospital visits , Rupert had joked , " Don''t worry , the firm has survived just fine without you this past month . Everyone has cases to work on , nobody''s starving , and the firm isn''t going bankrupt . " Now that she was finally discharged , Thalia felt reborn .


    Sitting back in her familiar office , she closed her eyes and exhaled slowly , feeling a weight lift from her shoulders . Lucy Jenkins knocked on her door and entered with a grin , dropping a stack of case folders onto Thalia''s desk . " Wee back . Thalia ! " Ed Mizane in Actually A True Heiress 99.8 % Chapter 204 Katie followed behind her . " Wee back ! " Lucy pointed at the pile of files . " See ? 1 told you to enjoy your rest in the hospital .


    Now you''ve got plenty to keep you busy , " Thalia smiled . " Perfect . " She turned to Katie . " How did those court appearances go ? " Katie briefed her on the cases she''d covered , concluding with : " We won them all . " " Excellent . " Thalia''s eyes shone with approval . " Katie , you''ve made tremendous progress . " Katie smiled . " All thanks to having such a great mentor . " ? ( 11 )