Chapter 22 A Deliberate
Trap
"Mm," Freya replied with casual indifference.
Frederick''s eyes widened. It made perfect sense.
Though Kristian possessed the ability to uncover hidden information, Freya''s secrets remainedpletely
inessible.
They continued their hushed conversation for several more minutes.
Freya''s phone suddenly vibrated against the table. ncing down and noticing Trent''s name on the screen, she asked Frederick to watch over She while she stepped out to answer the call.
As she pulled open the hospital room door and moved into the hallway, she froze- several figures stood at the corner, with Kristian walking in the middle of the group.
She quickly retreated and pulled the door closed with a soft click.
Frederick looked up, his expression puzzled. "What happened?”
Without offering an exnation, Freya grabbed her phone and hurried toward the balcony of the hospital room.
Kristian, moving deliberately down the corridor, caught a fleeting glimpse of movement and paused outside She''s hospital room, his attention immediately captured.
"Mr. Shaw, is something wrong?" asked a representative from the Shaw Group''s branch office, concern evident in his voice.
Everyone in the entourage remained bewildered by the unexpected alteration to their schedule.
They had nned to visit thepany headquarters but inexplicably found themselves at the hospital instead. "Who upies this room?" Kristian inquired, his tone measured and dispassionate.
The figure he had glimpsed strongly resembled Freya. She had mentioned during their flight that her journey to Alerith stemmed from a hospitalized family member.
The manager promptly responded, "I believe it''s Ethel Briggs, daughter of the CEO of Briggs Group."
"Knock on the door," Kristian directed, his resonant voice carrying natural authority.
The manager hesitated momentarily. "Weren''t we scheduled to meet with the Russell Group''s president?"
"The Briggs Group is also our partner. Visiting their chairman''s daughter during her hospitalization is simply appropriate," Kristian stated with conviction, his deep voice brooking no argument. "Knock on the door."
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Chapter 22 A Deliberate Trap
The managerplied and rapped his knuckles against the door, sensing the situation held moreplexity than appeared on the surface.
Kristian typically avoided such trivial matters; even when visits proved necessary, he routinely delegated them
to others.
Something unusual was definitely unfolding!
Despite his private misgivings, the manager knocked firmly.
Frederick, hearing the sound, peered through the transparent observation window and spotted a suited man standing outside. Instinctively, he nced toward the balcony where Freya stood. "Freya, someone from the Shaw Group seems to be here."
"Handle it for me," Freya replied, avoiding any encounter with Kristian. "Don''t allow them inside."
If they met here, Kristian would inevitably question her motives for marrying him, perhaps suspecting her of pursuing corporate secrets.
Shecked the energy to discuss these matters with him and any desire to engage in confrontation within She''s hospital room.
Frederick rose to his feet.
"Who are you?" he asked while opening the door partway.
"I''m an manager of the Shaw Group''s Alerith branch," the manager introduced himself before gesturing toward Kristian. "This is our president, Mr. Shaw. He learned about Miss Briggs''s hospitalization and came to offer his
support."
"Thank you," Frederick responded with deliberate casualness.
The manager stood momentarily stunned, internally questioning, "Isn''t he going to invite us in?"
Kristian''s prating gaze moved past Frederick and surveyed the room, his presence radiating undeniable
authority.
Frederick studied him briefly, realizing this man possessed even greater physical appeal than photographs had captured. No wonder Freya had fallen for him.
"Is Freya Briggs here?" Kristian shifted his attention back to Frederick, his eyes carrying an intimidating intensity as he delivered the questionden with hidden implications.
Frederick faltered visibly. "Huh?"
"This is a gift for Miss Briggs," Kristian said, withdrawing his piercing gaze and offering the i intended for the Russell Group''s president. "We hope she recovers swiftly."
"Thank you." Frederick epted the package.
With that exchangepleted, Kristian and his entourage departed.
originally
The manager stood bewildered, staring at his empty hands with mounting anxiety churning in his stomach. The gift meant for the Russell Group''s president had been given to Ethel instead. What would they possibly
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Chapter 27 A Debberste Trap
present when visiting the president ister?
Frederick remained by the door, unable toprehend the true purpose behind their unexpected visit. He ced the items on the table beside the hospital bed, his mind swirling with unanswered questions.
"I didn''t expect you to handle it so well," Freya remarked appreciatively from her position safely hidden from
the observation window
Frederick''s forehead creased in confusion. "What?"
"Kristian''s question was a deliberate trap," Freya exined, recalling the anxiety that had gripped her when she overheard his inquiry. "Whether you acknowledged my presence or denied it, your response would have revealed that you know me personally, I was genuinely concerned you might inadvertently reveal something" Upon hearing this analysis, Frederick''s expression transformed into something peculiarly sheepish.
He scratched his head awkwardly, let out a soft chuckle, and admitted, "In truth, I was so distracted by how much more striking he appears in personpared to photographs that I barely registered what he asked. By the time I gathered my thoughts to respond properly, he had already handed me the gifts and begun walking
away,"
His eyes darted nervously around the room, avoiding direct contact with Freya''s gaze.
Freya fell silent, momentarily stunned. Should she attribute this fortunate escape to destiny''s intervention?
"Freya," Frederick began, finally seizing an opportunity for gossip, "did you marry him primarily because of his appearance?"
Freya responded with surprising candor, "Yes, that factored significantly into my decision."
Kristian''s physical features aligned perfectly with her aesthetic ideals.
Even now, despite his decision to divorce her, she couldn''t deny that his looks seemed divinely crafted. To this day, she hadn''t encountered anyone in either entertainment or fashion circles who surpassed his physical
appeal.
Meanwhile, the very subject of their discussion upied the adjacent room, engaged in conversation with Damon Russell, president of the Russell Group.
The branch manager and other employees waited respectfully outside, while Kristian satposed on a chair beside the hospital bed, studying the handsome, carefree man resting there.
"Since when did you develop such consideration for others?" Damon teased with a knowing smile. "You even surrendered the gift intended for me to someone
else."
Kristian replied smoothly, "I''ll arrange for someone to purchase ten more for youter."
ind your
"Spare me the gesture," Damon countered bluntly. "Simply acknowledge the real reasor unexpected hospital visit. I find it impossible to believe you''ve suddenly be sopassionate." "Assist me in discovering whether Ethel Briggs has an older sister," Kristian requested, his lips barely moving as he spoke, never concealing anything from this trusted confidant. "Approximately twenty-four years old." "nning a seamless transition after finalizing your divorce?" Damon raised an eyebrow provocatively. Kristian responded with unnervingposure, "The Shaw Group will soon implement significant downsizing
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Chapter 22 A Deliberate Trap
measures. Your sweetheart might unfortunately beid off."
"You wouldn''t dare take such action," Damon challenged.
"Care to test that assumption?" Kristian countered.
"I haven''t encountered any information suggesting she has an older sister." Damon mentally cursed his predicament while reluctantly sharing what he knew. "However, employees at the Briggs Group asionally refer to Ethel as ''the younger one''."
Kristian''s eyebrows drew together slightly in contemtion.
"What prompts this inquiry?" Damon asked, genuine curiosity evident in his voice.
"It''s inconsequential." Kristian rose from his chair and gently tapped Damon''s bandaged shoulder as he prepared to depart. "Focus on your recovery and treat me to a meal when your health improves."
Damon inhaled sharply at the contact, wincing in pain before quickly calling out as Kristian reached the doorway, "Should
you
dare render my future wife unemployed, I guarantee you''lle to regret that
decision!"
Rmended for you
TOO LATE FOR REGRET: