Your Gold Digger is Actually A True Heiress by Vera Fiore

Chapter 136 London was too small after all.

Thalia never expected to run into Asher at The Ivy City Garden.

As she stood frozen, Rupert spoke up from behind her: "Mr. Blackwood, what a coincidence. Are you dining here as well?" Asher's voice was cool, outwardly calm. "Yes." Thalia, not knowing what to say, simply walked past Asher toward the restaurant interior.

A server approached them. "Good evening. How many in your party? Do you have a reservation?" Thalia maintained her composure. "Two people. I have a reservation under the mobile number ending in 0725." "Please follow me." Seeing that Thalia had already followed the server, Rupert smiled as he met Asher's gaze. "Mr. Blackwood, if you'll excuse me." Asher remained motionless, lowering his eyes.

Easter was approaching.

On this particular day, why was Thalia dining alone with Rupert? Was it... a date? A wave of bitterness swept through him, each surge stronger than the last.

Asher's throat tightened as he stood immobile, as if he had turned to stone, his legs numb.

Seeing that Asher wasn't responding, Rupert let his gaze slowly drift over him.

The restaurant's dim lighting, designed to create a romantic atmosphere, obscured the desolate, bitter expression on Asher's face.

A subtle smile played at the corners of Rupert's lips. He knew Asher had misunderstood.

On this special day, a man and woman dining alone naturally suggested a romantic date.

Rupert chose not to clarify.

Chapter 136 He walked past Asher with measured steps to follow Thalia.

In the private dining room.

Thalia sat in her chair, staring blankly into space.

She showed no reaction when Rupert opened the door and entered.

"Ms. Winters," Rupert called as he pulled out a chair and sat down.

Thalia cback to herself, somewhat distracted. "The menu's there. Please go ahead and order." A smile touched Rupert's lips, his eyes gentle. "Of course." He refrained from asking questions or mentioning certain people that were better left unmentioned.

Thalia quickly composed herself, pushing the chance encounter to the back of her mind.

After ordering, while waiting for their food. Thalia resumed discussing the partnership with Rupert.

Rupert said. "I have a friend who specialises in criminal defence. Like me, he has three years of experience. If you're interested, I could bring him in as a partner." Thalia's eyes brightened. "That sounds excellent. Let's arrange a meeting to discuss the details." Ruperi nodded slightly. "Perfect.” "He's a university classmate of mine. You needn't worry about his professional capabilities." Thalia smiled. "I'm sure anyone you recommend would be excellent." She offered the polite response expected, but remained cautious internally. As partners, they would be in the sboat, sharing both risks and profits. She needed to thoroughly investigate her partners' backgrounds and professional competencies.

Rupert's eyes remained gentle. "I'm planning to invest three million pounds and register with the firm as a practising solicitor. We can sign the contract whenever you're ready." Thalia smiled and extended her hand to Rupert. “I appreciate your straightforwardness. Here's to a successful partnership." Rupert shook her hand. “To a successful partnership." After dinner, Rupert politely inquired: "Today is a memorable day. May I take a photo with you, my partner?" It was perfectly normal for business partners to commemorate their collaboration with a photograph. Thalia thought nothing of it and smiled. "Of course." 18:48 Chapter 196 Rupert asked a server to take a photo of them.

In the picture, they stood side by side. Thalia looked at the camera with a gentle smile on her lips. Rupert's eyes reflected his happiness.

Originally, it was a full-body shot with both maintaining an appropriate social distance, nothing that would suggest a romantic relationship.

But Rupert cropped the lower half, leaving only their upper bodies in the frame. This changed the impression entirely-if one ignored the background, it resembled the kind of photo used on a marriage certificate.

That safternoon, Rupert posted the photo on Instagram.

The caption read: [A very special day.] Rupert's choice of words was deliberate.

Given that Easter was approaching, he didn't write something like "Happy Easter" that might deliberately invite misunderstanding, as this would likely offend Thalia.

But neither did he write something straightforward like "Successful partnership" that would prevent any misinterpretation.

The ambiguous "A very special day" struck just the right balance.

It wouldn't offend Thalia, yet it could lead Asher to misunderstand.

Rupert had added James on social media, as he had handled several cases for James's company.

James would certainly see this post.

Given James's relationship with Asher, the post would undoubtedly reach Asher as well.

After posting, Rupert put away his phone, leaned back on the sofa, and sipped his red wine with a sense of satisfaction.

Thalia saw Rupert's post, casually liked it, and scrolled on.

When James saw the post, he took a screenshot, including Thalia's like, and sent it to Asher.

[Someone's making a move on your territory?] [This photo looks like a wedding picture. I have to say, they do make a handscouple.] Chapter 136 Asher's eyes darkened as he read the message.

The bright smile on the young woman's face in the photo pierced his heart.

He stared at the photo for a long tin silence.

Then he made a call.

"What's the situation with Tom Malfoy?"

That evening, Thalia returned home.

She had just finished her showerland was about to watch à series on her was a tablet when she received a call. "Hello, delivery service. Are you at hat the moment?" "Yes, I am. But I haven't ordered anything. Could you tellwhat this delivery is?" "It must be a gift from someone. It's from a jewellery shop, sent via same-day delivery." "Oh?" Thalia was puzzled. "I'm home. You can leave it at my door." "Will do." Ten minutes later, the delivery person placed the package at Thalia's door and knocked. "Hello, I've left your package at the door." Thalia got up from the sofa, slipped on her slippers, and went to open the door.

A cardboard box sat quietly at her doorstep.

Thalia picked it up curiously and examined it.

The sender's address showed the nof a high-end jewellery store in London.

Thalia took the package inside and called the number listed for the sender on the delivery slip.

It was just after eight in the evening, but the jewellery store was still open.

A staff member quickly answered the phone with a standard greeting.

Thalia spoke politely. "Hello, I've just received a package with your store sender could you tell listed as the senderWhat's inside and who purchased it?" The staff member asked: "Could you provide your mobile number so I can check our records?" Chapter 136 Thalia gave her number.

The staff member said: "One moment, please, while I look into this." Shortly after, the staff member responded.

"Ms. Winters, correct?" "Yes."

"Hello, Ms. Winters. I can confirm that opr this package contains a necklace selected by a gentlemen who visited store this afternoon. He provided your address and telephone number, with specific instructions that it be delivered today without fail." ♡ (0) mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1 mmMwWLliIofifl0&1 mmMwWLlilofiflo&1