Chapter 30 I Insist She Remains Untouched...
"I don''t know. I asked her, but she kept it to herself," Hugh replied, his voice trailing off into silence.
When he attempted to probe further, Freya had cautioned him against involvement, insisting she would address the matter personally. Yesterday, when he followed up about the results, she had deftly changed the subject, reminding him of his responsibility to collect Ethel from the hospital.
Ethel paused, weighing whether to unveil her thoughts to her father.
Hugh noticed her reluctance. "What''s troubling you?"
"Perhaps she withheld information to spare you from an awkward position." Ethel had reached this conclusion after her emotions settled.
Hugh stiffened. "What exactly are you suggesting?"
"During my attack, I glimpsed someone beyond the alley-Cheryl''s younger brother." Ethel revealed, the memory crystallizing as her health improved. "I informed Mina, and she directed me to keep you in the dark."
Hugh''s eyes fixed momentarily, his expression hardening.
Ethel yearned for reconciliation between her sister and father. "Whatever wedge stands between you two, beneath it all, you still care deeply for each other. Why not bridge this divide through honest conversation?"
Hugh remained wordless, shrouded in remorse. He longed to engage in meaningful dialogue with Freya, yet recognized she would forever withhold forgiveness.
"You''ve yet to fully mature," Hugh murmured, avoiding boration. "I''ll exin when you''re ready to
understand."
"I''ve reached neen-legally an adult," Ethel countered, emotions swirling beneath herposed exterior. "I''m no longer the child who begged for sweets and dissolved into tears at the first sign of hardship."
Still, Hugh maintained his silence.
He and Freya shared an unspoken pact to shield this matter until Ethel secured happiness in her life.
Frustration bubbled within Ethel. Her sister refused to speak, her father likewise. Were they conspiring to keep her eternally ignorant?
Her phone vibrated repeatedly, announcing iing messages.
She unlocked the screen, discovering several images from Frederick.
"Freya and Kristian are locked in confrontation!" Jackson wrote. "He''s deliberately humiliating her, making a spectacle. Hurry-she needs backup."
0.0%
15:39
13
<
Chapter 301 Insist She Remains Untouched Beforehand
Ethel examined the photos, revealing an opulent private chamber where her sister and Kristian engaged in a
tense standoff.
Even through the digital lens, violence seemed imminent.
"Johnny, take us to Savory Haven immediately," Ethelmanded the driver with urgency.
Savory Haven operated as an exclusive establishment catering to celebritie and business elites.
Ordinary people stood no chance of entry.
Based on Frederick''s photos, the setting appeared to be a business dinner. Among those present were her sister, Kristian, and several recognizable faces.
Hugh observed her sudden distress. "What''s happening?"
"Mina and Kristian are in a confrontation," Ethel exined, her voice tense with concern. "Frederick didn''t share all the details, but apparently Kristian is deliberately making things difficult for her."
"Johnny, take the shortcut," Hughmanded, parental concern surging through him at the mention of Freya''s predicament.
Frederick sat rigid with anxiety.
His father had insisted he attend, describing it as a valuableworking opportunity with a business legend. The invitation seemed impossible to decline.
Yet he never anticipated the legendary figure would be Kristian himself.
And toplicate matters further, Freya was present as well!
"Unable to handle a few drinks, yet presuming to discuss business?" Kristian remarked from his position at the table''s head. Impably dressed in his tailored suit, he regarded her with cool indifference. "Do you truly believe your appearance alone grants you ess to financial opportunities in this establishment?"
Freya felt the beginnings of a migraine pulsing behind her temples.
She had arrived with the express purpose of confronting Edwin Newman, Cheryl''s older brother.
Although evidence suggested Emil Newman, Cheryl''s younger sibling, was directly responsible for Ethel''s incident, Freya recognized the maniptive influence of Edwin-widely known for his cunning nature- orchestrating events from behind the scenes.
With legal avenues exhausted against Edwin, Freya needed to address the matter personally. Anyone threatening Ethel''s wellbeing would face her unwavering opposition.
Kristian''s unexpected presence caught herpletely off guard.
"I have no interest in engaging in arguments with you today," she responded with deliberate detachment.
Kristian''s entourage quickly intervened with their ttery. "Mr. Shaw extends you the courtesy of a drink offer. Why do you remain standing there, unresponsive?"
"How did this establishment permit entry to such a woman?"
"One cannot deny her striking appearance, though."
15:39
2
O <
Chapter 301 tsist She Remains Untouched Beforehand
Frederick barely dared to breathe throughout the exchange.
Not because of the cutting remarks from those seated at the table, but because he recognized they were inviting catastrophe. Thest individual who treated Freya with such disrespect now went to extraordinary lengths to avoid crossing her path!
"Mr. Shaw, women of her type require firm handling." Edwin remarked, his polished appearance contradicting his crude vernacr. "Escort her to a hotel room, and she''ll quickly bepliant."
Kristian''s cial gaze shifted deliberately. "Is that your assessment?"
"Without question!" Edwin leered at Freya while continuing. "Mr. Shaw, should you require it, I can arrange amodations immediately and ensure her delivery."
Several attendees subtly furrowed their brows, perplexed by Kristian''s willingness to associate with someone of
Edwin''s character.
Edwin''spany not only ranked as a minor enterprise, but his notorious weakness for women repelled even casual acquaintances!
"Very well," Kristian agreed with unsettling calm. "However, I insist she remains untouched beforehand."
His inscrutable gaze settled on Freya, concealing the anger building within him.
He feltpelled to demonstrate the genuine viciousness men could exhibit, believing nothing less would convey his message effectively.
"I guarantee it!" Edwin beamed with unwarranted confidence. "She''ll arrive at your amodationspletely (untouched for your exclusive attention."
Kristian maintained his silence, an oppressive atmosphere radiating from his presence.
If not for extracting critical information about the Briggs family from Edwin, he would never have tolerated dining with such contemptible man.
Initially dismissing his suspicions about Freya, he had recently discovered her thorough investigation of Ethel''s incident, culminating in Emil''s arrest.
How could someone supposedly employed merely as a bodyguard demonstrate such personal investment in Ethel''s affairs?
"This situation seems inappropriate..." Frederick ventured hesitantly.
His tentative objection instantly drew the attention of both Kristian and Freya.
The former fixed him with prating intensity, while thetter shot him a clear warning nce.
"What troubles you, Mr. Price?" Kristian inquired, his deep, maic voice projecting artificial calm beneath unmistakable authority.
Frederick instinctively nced toward Freya but found himself unable to articte
his concerns.
Freya''s intimidating gaze effectively silenced him.
However, through Kristian''s perceptive eyes, Frederick''s hesitation registered as genuine concern for Freya,
608%
13
Chapter 301 Insist She Remains Untouched Beforehand
reluctance silenced only by the oppressive weight of authority.
Emboldened by this misinterpretation, Kristian pressed further. "Do you perhaps
find her too attractive to be
escorted away?"
"My son absolutely intended no such implication," Robert Price interjected hastily, recognizing Kristian''s growing displeasure.
Seasoned in the business world, veterans like Robert instinctively read subtle shifts in power dynamics. He added deferentially, "Please ept our apologies if offense was taken, Mr. Shaw."
30
2
13
15:39