Chapter 27 Striking Kristian Squarely In The...
"Back then, I was bullied and shoved down the stairs-the principal had to call you in," Ethel stated, her voice imbued with a firm resolve. "You even apanied the police to review the security footage..."
Her tone intensified with sincerity as she spoke."
Aware that feigning ignorance might only escte matters, Hugh decided to y along, feigning a moment of
enlightenment. "Ah, that Freya?"
"Yes, exactly!" Ethel eximed, her excitement palpable.
"Are you Freya Briggs?" Hugh inquired, seeking confirmation of her identity.
Caught off guard by their convincing performance, Freya responded with aposed, "Yes."
"Wait... Freya? Is that actually you?" Ethel bubbled over with joy, her demeanor reminiscent of a seasoned actress. "I''m the girl with the short hair you rescued from the pond when I tumbled in as a child. Everyone
remember?" called me She in the past. Do you
"Yes, I do," Freya affirmed, nodding.
How could she possibly forget? This little mischief-maker had wandered off to gather lotus flowers and had identally fallen into the pond. Even as Freya had pulled her to safety, she had clung tightly to a lotus flower.
Kristian turned his gaze toward Freya, studying her more intently. "Why haven''t you ever spoken of your ties to the Briggs family?"
"Do people usually bring up decade-old stories in daily conversation?" Freya shot back.
Kristian was left at a loss for words.
Ethel extended a warm invitation, her voice bubbling with cheer. "Freya,e join me over here!"
Freya moved to sit beside her.
Their conversation flowed easily, filled with fond memories of days gone by.
One moment they wereughing over how Freya had bravely confronted bullies on Ethel''s behalf and the next they chuckled about the times Freya had craftily covered for Ethel''s secret snack raids.
"You''ve transformed so dramatically over the past decade," Ethel remarked as she sped Freya''s hands, her eyes glimmering with sentiment. "If it weren''t for your unmistakable face, I might not have recognized you at all."
Kristian watched quietly, a slow realization settling in-it was probably true.
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MINJUS? Et Ban squarely in thece
Ethel, ever protective of her sister, saw a perfect moment to challenge Kristian. She turned to him with s determined look. "Mr. Shaw, may I inquire about the reasons behind your decision to divorce Frepor
"Our personalities just sh too much," Kristian responded, his fone dismissive. Ethel faced Freya, searching her eyes. "Is that really the case?"
"Yes." Freya nodded, albeit reluctantly.
A flicker of doubt crossed Ethel''s face. She knew her sister well enough to tell she was holding back the truth
"Perhaps a divorce is for the best," Ethel stated boldly, her voice firm and resolute. "Don''t worry, I know plenty of wonderful rich men. I''ll introduce you to them. They''ve all been eager to meet the wotees who was my guardian angel back in the day."
"Sure, I''m in," Freya murmured, understanding that Ethel was merely ying her part
Kristian''s expression tightened, a flicker of displeasure shing across his face at Ethel''s remark
"Miss Briggs, do you find pleasure in ying matchmaker?" Kristian''s voice carried a sharp edge of hostingy
"Not particrly," Ethel responded with a confident shrug "I just enjoy looking out for Freys She''s a remarkable woman and truly deserves the best."
"So, what makes you think you know who suits her best?" Kristian pressed, his tone challenging
Ethel waved off his concern with a dismissive gesture. "Simple. I''ll introduce her to a selection, and she can pick whoever captures her heart," she dered.
Kristian found Ethel''s meddling more than just irritating
They were still in the midst of finalizing their divorce, and here was Ethel, unabashedly nning to introduce Freya to potential suitors right in front of him-a move devoid of any tact.
"This discussion should be postponed until after their divorce is finalized, Kristian interjected, his voiceced with an icy disapproval. "Regarding the coboration, I''ll send someone to the Briggs Group another day to go over the details with you, Mr. Briggs. I''ll leave Miss Briggs to rest for now."
"Very well then." Hugh got up, ready to escort them out with polite formality.
With that, the conversation came to a quiet close.
It was clear to everyone that the discussion about coboration was just a facade.
They all recognized that Kristian''s casual mention of visiting the Briggs Group was nothing more than empty talk. In the ruthless world of business, nothing was set in stone until it was inked on the contract
Once they had departed, Ethel wasted no time. She whipped out her phone and rapidly fired off a series of messages to Freya.
"Did you really marry Kristian just for his looks? He hardly seems to care about you."
"I can''t stand the thought of him as my brother-inw."
"He''s absolutely unworthy of you!"
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Chapter 27 Striking Kristian Squarely In The Face
Within moments, Freya''s inbox already held a string of messages from Ethel. Though Ethel knew little else, the cold indifference in Kristian''s eyes whenever he nced at her sister spoke volumes. There was not a trace of love or warmth. Had her sister not concealed her true identity, Ethel might have even thought that Kristian was only after her
wealth.
Freya''s phone buzzed incessantly with Ethel''s rapid messages.
She chose not to look at them just yet, knowing Kristian was still nearby.
"Can you handle yourself in a fight?” Kristian inquired, his figure looming over her as he stood by the car.
Freya struggled to engage in a meaningful dialogue with him. "I could take you down without breaking a sweat," she dered with a smirk.
Both Kristian and Gerard were momentarily stunned into silence. "Does the thought of Ethel introducing you to a dozen men make you feel more secure?" Kristian had been seething ever since Ethel had made that suggestion. Freya''s intention was clear; she wanted to rile him up. "Precisely," she replied coldly.
Kristian''s fury was palpable.
In his anger, heshed out with words he mightter regret. "Do you actually believe those affluent men would give you a second nce? Your past role as a bodyguard for the Briggs family is irrelevant. It''s a pipe dream to think you can ascend above your station." Kristian''s tone was biting. "Even if those affluent men notice you, it would merely be due to the Briggs family''s influence."
He was all too familiar with the ways of this elite circle. If Freya were to immerse herself in it, she would be the one suffer.
"I married a rich man once, why not do it all over again?" Unperturbed, Freya retorted. "Perhaps if I get married a few more times, my value might eventually eclipse yours."
"Do you really believe anyone else would take an interest in you the way I did?" Kristian''s voice dripped with
iciness.
Freya nodded, her voice steady. "It''s not beyond the bounds of possibility."
"You certainly think highly of yourself," Kristian retorted with a smirk. His voice took on a darker tone as he admitted, "I was only drawn to you because you reminded me of Ashley."
A heavy silence fell over Freya.
Kristian, unable to contain his frustration, dered bitterly, "Had it not been for your resemnce to her, you wouldn''t have caught my eye a second time." Freya''s response was icy. "I dare you to say that again."
It was one thing to suspect the truth, quite another to hear it confirmed. Being a mere substitute was not to her liking.
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Chapter 27 Striking Kristian Squarely In The Face
"The only reason I married you, cared for you, and stayed by your side... is
because you reminded me of Ashley."
Suddenly, a loud bang erupted.
"Sir!" Gerard cried out, his voiceced with rm.
Without a moment''s hesitation, Freya swung her fist, striking Kristian squarely in
the face.
Had she not considered the risk of breaking his nose, she might not have restrained her punch at all.
"Do you think such words make me feel lesser, distressed, or somehow indebted
to Ashley for my life?" Freya challenged, her tone devoid of sympathy as she spoke over Kristian''s groans.
Holding his throbbing cheek, Kristian sat stunned, speechless from the impact.
She Took The House, The Car, And My Heart
Chapter 28 N