Chapter 85 Could Ashley Be Responsible


    The team leader stepped forward, retrieving a bank card from his wallet and offering it to Freya with an apologetic gesture.


    Freya examined it briefly, recorded the card number, and returned it to him with a curt nod.


    She dispatched the phone number to Frederick for investigation and forwarded the card details to her assistant for the financial transfer.


    Afterpleting these arrangements, she tucked her phone away. "The money will be transferred shortly. Once you''ve settled the penalty, forward me the other party''s ount information. And refrain from epting such assignments in the future."


    *Absolutely!*


    "We promise."


    "Thank you."


    Everyone responded with exaggerated politeness, their expressions swimming with remorse.


    "By the way," Freya added, her gaze hardening as she regarded the phone resting on the table, "where might I find the owner of this device?*


    "We have no idea..." They shook their heads in unison. "That person merely instructed us to deliver the phone here, ce it on the table, then render you unconscious upon arrival. No additional information was provided." "Got it" Freya''s eyes darkened perceptibly. Noticing their lingering presence, she continued, "If you''re concerned about payment, you''re wee to wait until the funds arrive."


    She intended to remain for an additional half hour, intrigued by what the orchestrator of this trap might have nned


    "That won''t be necessary. We trust your word, Tim dered earnestly.


    "I appreciate that," Freya responded simply.


    The group of bodyguards departed shortly thereafter.


    For her protection, Freya positioned a baseball bat within arm''s reach


    She secured the door, retrieved Trent''s phone, and discovered it unlocked. Scrolling it, she found a message in their conversation, identical to the one she had received earlier.


    Frederick called promptly, and Freya answered. Heunched directly into his findings. "That numb established andcks verification."


    0.0%


    "I suspected as much." Freya felt a headache building behind her temples. Why hadplications suddenly multiplied? First, she walked into an ambush. Then, someone hired thugs to incapacitate her. Such amateur tactics diverged from her typical adversaries'' methods.


    Who could possibly be responsible?


    "Freya," Frederick continued, concern threading through his voice, "I''ve noticed a pattern of targeted incidentstely. Have you provoked someone''s enmity?"


    Freya maintained her previous theory. "More likely someone harboring feelings for Kristian. A genuine enemy would employ far more sophisticated methods."


    Her true opponents would attempt something genuinely life-threatening.


    "But I''ve investigated thoroughly and found no suspicious individuals," Frederick remarked, perplexed.


    “Let''s set it aside for now," Freya said, unwilling to expend valuable energy on the matter. "We''ll address it when necessary. After my divorce from Kristian is finalized, we can conduct a proper investigation."


    "Exercise caution then."


    "I know."


    Moments after ending the call, her assistant messaged her. "Funds transferred sessfully."


    Freya replied with a concise, "Acknowledged."


    Having resolved these matters, Freya surveyed the room methodically.


    After confirming the absence of surveince equipment, she gripped the baseball bat and retreated to the bedroom to rest.


    Approximately twenty minutester, the distinct sound of a key entering the lock reached her ears.


    Instantly vignt, Freya rose silently, positioning herself behind the bedroom door with the bat poised, prepared to confront the intruder.


    The lock disengaged, and a tall figure with elegant, slender legs entered the premises.


    His polished shoes created rhythmic taps against the floor with each calcted step, intensifying the atmosphere, though Freya maintained herposure.


    Within moments, the man approached the bedroom, ced his hand deliberately on the handle, and pushed the door open.


    As he crossed the threshold, Freya swung the bat with controlled force, carefully moderating her strength to avoid inflicting serious injury.


    The bat halted mid-trajectory.


    The man, emanating an aura of cold calction, had caught it firmly. Recognizing hisbat proficiency, Freya tightened her grip andunched a swift kick.


    Though he evaded with remarkable speed, her foot connected. He released the bat and retreated several paces. The entire confrontation transpired in mere seconds.


    26.3%


    Freya prepared to press her advantage when recognition dawned, prompting her startled exmation, "Trent?"


    "Mina?" Trent''s eyes widened as he identified his assant.


    In unison, they questioned, "Why are you here?"


    "A few minutes ago, someone knocked at my door, leaving behind a letter and


    room card," Trent exined, visibly rxing his defensive posture while adjusting


    his gold-rimmed asses. "The letter imed a young woman had been kidnapped in this very room."


    Freya''s brow furrowed in confusion.


    Trent borated further, "The message stated they couldn''t risk antagonizing the kidnappers or involvingw enforcement, so they discreetly provided me with ess to rescue her."


    Freya''s expression transformed asprehension dawned. "You''re currently staying at this hotel?" she inquired.


    "Indeed." Trent nodded, his schrly appearance exuding a particr charm. "My initial instinct was to alert the authorities, but concern for the victim''s wellbeing prompted me to investigate personally. I never anticipated finding you here."


    Freya acknowledged with a thoughtful nod, realizing someone had orchestrated this scenario with full awareness of Trent''s identity.


    Whoever plotted this possessed considerable cunning.


    "And yourself?" Trent prompted.


    Freya exited the bedroom, deposited the baseball bat on the table, and presented him with his phone. "Someone appropriated your device to message me, addressing me as ''Mina''. Without questioning its authenticity, I came directly here."


    Trent examined the message, a subtle frown crossing his features.


    Settling onto the sofa, Freya engaged him in analyzing their predicament. "Your awareness leaves much to be desired. You failed to notice your phone''s disappearance. If you returned to active duty, the Captain would reprimand you severely for such carelessness."


    Trent reflected momentarily, deducing the theft likely urred during his assistance to a stranger in the parking area.


    "Your ability to authenticatemunications hardly surpasses mine," he countered with a knowing smile while securing his phone. "The Captain would certainly admonish you equally."


    Freya found herself without a suitable retort.


    Rather than continuing their verbal sparring, she redirected attention to the day''s peculiar events. "This situation remains unresolved."


    If the orchestrator''s n involved merely luring her here and subsequently bringing Trent to the same location, what ultimate purpose could they have? "Could Ashley Bradley be responsible?" Trent ventured, considering the most usible candidate. "Perhaps arranging for Kristian to discover us together inpromising circumstances."


    59.2%


    Such a scenario would lead Kristian to misinterpret Freya''s actions, potentially intensifying her disaffection. toward him. Wouldn''t that aplish the desired oue?


    "Shecks the intellectual capacity for such intricate maniption," Freya asserted confidently, dismissing Ashley''s capabilities. "Furthermore, she wouldn''t possess the resources to arrange for someone to surreptitiously obtain your


    phone."


    100 0%