---- Chapter 227 Just as they were enjoying their yful banter, Rupert knocked and entered. "Thalia, are you free tonight?" he asked, looking at her. Thalia nced up. "What''s up? Did you need something?" Rupert smiled. "Lena hasn''t seen you in ages. She misses you and asked me to see if you''re avable for dinner tonight?" Thalia hesitated. She could sense that Rupert was interested in her. Previously, he had brought Lena to her home to help Lucy with her treatment.


    Lucy was better now, and Thalia had done everything appropriate-treating them to meals, sending gifts, the whole nine yards. She couldn''t help feeling that Rupert was using Lena as an excuse to date her. ---- That might sound conceited, but looking back at the past few weeks, Rupert had indeed been meeting her outside of work hours many times under the pretext of Lena. Sometimes at her home, sometimes elsewhere. If this continued, they''d cross the boundary of ordinary friendship.


    For some reason, at that moment, Thalia''s mind shed to that cool, solitary figure standing under the eaves in the early morning and that warm,forting embrace. Thalia lowered her eyes. "I have ns tonight. Please tell Lena I''msorry." Rupert looked slightly stunned, as if he hadn''t expected her to refuse. He gazed at her quietly for a moment before saying softly, "Alright." After Rupert left, Lucia gave Thalia a knowing look.


    "Did you turn him down because of Asher?" Thalia kept her head down, focusing on her work, neither confirming nor denying. ---- Seeing her tacit agreement, Lucia felt a twinge in her heart, and her smile faded. she sighed, feeling a lump in her throat. Asher was the man she had loved for seven years. Thalia was the woman who had saved her life. How could she choose? Give up on Asher? Impossible. Betray the woman who saved her and ruthlessly fight for her man?


    Lucia wasn''t the type of person to forget kindness and act ungratefully. There was no solution. Lucia shook her head helplessly. "I should head back now." Thalia looked up at her with a meaningful gaze. "Take care."