Chapter 209 3120 Chapter 209 The dinner was a battlefield of unspoken tension . Rupert and Asher engaged in a silent power struggle while Thalia pretended not to notice and Lucia tried her best to ignore it all . After dinner , Asher offered to drive Thalia and Lucy home . " I drove here myself , " Thalia replied coolly . " Then give me a lift , " Asher countered . " We''re headed in the same direction anyway . " Thalia stared at him incredulously . " Don''t you need to take Ms. Schulz home ?


    " she asked , ncing at Lucia . " She drove herself here , " Asher replied without even looking in Lucia''s direction . Thalia shot him an exasperated look . " Didn''t you drive here too ? Why on earth do you need a ride from me ? " " Sebastian just texted that his car broke down , " Asher exined smoothly . " The tow truck won''t arrive for another hour , and he has an urgent matter at home . I''ve sent my driver to pick him up nearby - fortunately , I brought my driver today .


    " Rupert let out a derisiveugh . " What a remarkable coincidence . " " Isn''t it just ? " Asher replied with a smug smile . Rupert red at him . Thalia was clearly skeptical . Asher immediately called Sebastian , putting the call on speaker . " Sebastian , your car broke down , right ? I''m sending my driver to get you now . I happen to be having dinner nearby . " Sebastian caught on instantly . " Yeah , didn''t I just tell you that ? Why are you calling to confirm ?


    Hurry up , I''ve got something urgent to deal with . " " Hang tight , the driver''s on his way . " After hanging up , Asher looked at Thalia with raised eyebrows , as if to say , " See ? I wasn''t lying . " NAAA 99.0 % Chapter 209 Then he promptly sent his driver away with the car . Before Thalia could respond , Lucia jumped in : " Asher , I can drive you home . " " We''re not headed in the same direction , " Asher replied coldly .


    " My ce is right next to the Winters estate - practically neighbors . It makes much more sense . " Thalia could easily see through the little performance Asher and Sebastian had just put on . But she didn''t call him out on it . Asher had already sent his car away , and if she refused , he''d have to ride with Lucia . Out of a selfish desire not to leave them alone together , Thalia gave Asher a cool nce and simply said , " Let''s go , " before opening her car door .


    " Coming , " Asher replied , his eyes dancing with triumph . Before getting in , he shot Rupert onest victorious smile . na drove , with Thalia and Lucy in the back seat . Asher took the passenger seat up front . After they pulled away , Lucia and Rupert exchanged a look of mutual frustration . When they reached the gates of the Winters estate , the car stopped . " You can get out here , " Thalia said tly . She didn''t want Randolph to see her arriving with Asher .


    It would raise questions she didn''t want to answer . Asher understood her reasoning , his expression darkening slightly . He opened the door but didn''t immediately step out . " There''s nothing between Lucia and me , " he said , turning to look directly at Thalia in the back seat . " She approached me today to discuss a business partnership . " The interior light illuminated Thalia''s face , making her look ethereally beautiful in the warm glow .


    Her expression remained neutral as she simply replied , " Oh , " and said nothing more . " Goodnight , Lia , " Asher said as he finally exited the car . Thalia didn''t return his goodnight . After Asher got out , na drove into the underground garage of the Winters estate . ter A Teva Hoiress 99.2 % Chapter 209 Thalia stepped out of the car and walked to the elevator , clearly distracted . na had waited in the car during dinner and didn''t know what had transpired .


    Though curious , she refrained from asking . It wasn''t her ce to pry into her employer''s personal affairs . In the elevator , Thalia turned to her sister . " Lucy , don''t tell Mom and Dad that we had dinner with Asher tonight , okay ? " Lucy nodded obediently . " Got it , sis . " " Good girl . " Back in her bedroom , Thalia checked her phone messages . Rupert : [ Made it home ? ] Thalia : [ Just got in . ] Rupert : [ Get some rest . Night . ] Thalia : [ Yeah .


    ] The following day , Thalia''sw firm received an unexpected visitor . Lucia Schulz arrived wearing a light taupe power suit and carrying an Hermès handbag . Her confident stride turned heads as she walked through the office . " Damn , who is that ? She''s gorgeous . " " Client or potential hire? " " Gotta be a client - she''s the definition of a power executive . " " Definitely a client . She''s got that CEO energy , not someone who works for others .


    " " That figure , that face - absolutely stunning . " Lucia heard these whisperedpliments and allowed herself a small smile . She approached a young woman''s desk . " Excuse me , I didn''t see anyone at reception so I came in directly . Could you tell me where Ms. Winters '' office is ? " The young associate , Lucy Jenkins , looked slightly starstruck that such a beautiful woman was speaking to her . " I''ll show you the way , " Lucy offered , standing up .


    " Thanks so much , " Lucia replied with a dazzling smile that left Lucy momentarily speechless . At Thalia''s office door , Lucy gestured politely . " This is Ms. Winters '' office . " " Thank you . " " You''re wee . I should get back to work now . " Lucia knocked on the door . " Come in , " came Thalia''s voice from inside . 99.3 % Chapter 203 Lucia entered . " Ms. Winters . " Thalia looked up , her gaze faltering momentarily . She quicklyposed herself . " Ms. Schulz , please have a seat .


    " Lucia smiled and sat down on the sofa by the coffee table , Thalia rose from behind herputer and moved to the seating area . She heated water and prepared tea . " What brings you to my office , Ms. Schulz ? " Thalia asked , using delicate tongs to rinse two fine bine and white porcin teacups with hot water before cing one in front of Lucia and pouring tea . " Thank you . " Lucia said . " I heard you''ve opened your own firm and wanted to see it .


    I also have a case I''d like you to handle . " " Oh ? " Thalia raised an eyebrow . " What kind of case ? " Charlotte had previously sent Thalia information about Lucía , so she knew Lucia was now the CEO of a publidy listedpany . Lucia''spany would have its own legal team . What case would require Thalia''s specific involvement ? Lucia took out her phone . " Let''s exchange contacts . I''ll forward you the case materials my assistant just sent me . " Sure .


    " Thalia scanned Lucia''s WhatsApp code and added her . Lucia forwarded the materials . " I''ll leave this case in your capable hands , Ms. Winters , " Lucia said with a smile . Thalia took a sip of tea . " Ms. Schulz , let''s discuss the basic details of this case first . " " Of course . " Lucia also sipped her tea . " This is excellent tea . " (1 ) 9 ( 0 ) 99.4 % Chapter 210