Chapter 136 Kristian Visited Hugh


    "She enjoys nothing more than a good book or a nap," Melvin chimed in once again, his voice calm andposed. "Oh—and she''s also quite fond of sparring."


    "That''s splendid," Chazmended bluntly.


    At that moment, one thought echoed in his mind: Freya wasn''t just easy on the eyes and skilled at her work- she carried a spirit that was rare and admirable. Exactly the kind of woman who checked all his boxes.


    Just as he opened his mouth to speak again, his phone buzzed. He intended to brush it off, but the moment he saw Gerard''s name sh on the screen, he offered an apologetic smile and answered, "Hello, Todd*


    "We''re out having dinner with the investment advisor from Briggs Group. The coboration has just been finalized.*


    "Yes."


    "Right now?"


    "Understood. I''ll be there immediately."


    Chaz''s face grew increasingly serious as the call continued.


    Once the call ended, despite wanting to continue dining with Freya, he couldn''t ignore hispany president''s orders. “Ms. Briggs, I''m sorry, but ourpany president has arrived earlier than expected, and I need to return to thepany."


    Turning to his colleague, he added, "Richie, stay here with Ms. Briggs and make sure she has a good meal."


    "The president''s arrived?" Richie asked, surprised.


    "Yes, just got in."


    "But Gerard Todd mentioned they wouldn''t be here untilter in the afternoon, didn''t he?"


    "I''m not sure what changed, but I have to return now." And with that, Chaz left in haste


    Freya, however, couldn''t help furrowing her brows when she heard the name Gerard during the call. Thepany president you mentioned is..."


    "Our big boss-Kristian Shaw," Chaz replied withplete transparency. "He''ll be stationed long-term at our


    branch office."


    Freya''s thoughts twisted into a knot. What could Kristian possibly be up to?


    "I''ll take my leave now. Let''s catch up again sometime," Chaz said with a smile before quickly vanishing down


    0.0%


    Chapter 136 Kristian Visited Hugh


    the street.


    Now that she knew Kristian was in Alerith, a shadow of unease passed over Freya''s otherwise calm face.


    Melvin noticed the change. "Ms. Briggs?"


    "It''s nothing. Let''s eat first," Freya said, collecting herself quickly.


    The meal was brief. After finishing, both parties departed, and Freya waste no time in going to see her cousin.


    n, thrilled by the sessful coboration and favorable terms, couldn''t help but praise her. "You''re amazing, Freya."


    Freya sat beside him quietly, her mind wandering.


    "What''s weighing on you?" n asked, sensing her distraction.


    "From now on, let Melvin handle anything rted to Briggs Group," Freya said with a faint frown. The news of Kristian working in Alerith still unsettled her. "I won''t be involved anymore."


    n blinked in confusion.


    "Why?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.


    "I heard Kristian Shaw''s going to be stationed in Alerith long-term," Freya exined, her tone initially serious, then tinged with yful sarcasm. "I''m afraid he''ll fall for me and try to turn our business deal into a marriage proposal."


    Upon hearing that, n turned his gaze sharply toward her, eyes narrowing. Freya shifted under his scrutiny, slightly flustered.


    "You''ve got a point!" n suddenly agreed with mock gravity. "In that case, I''d better go in your ce."


    Freya stared at him, taken aback. Was he seriously buying her lies?


    "I''ve looked into Kristian Shaw-he''s got the looks and lineage to match you," n continued in all seriousness, "but the man''s colder than a mountain breeze. He''s not your match."


    Had Kristian been a warmer soul, n might''ve pushed the idea. But that wasn''t the case.


    Freya exhaled softly, a subtle sense of relief flickering through her.


    "Speaking of matches, when are you getting married? You''re about to hit 25," n''s curiosity sparked like dry twigs to me. "Is there someone? What about Trent?"


    Freya was caught off guard.


    n pressed, "Come on! Say something! What''s with that look on your face?"


    "You''re still single yourself," Freya said smoothly, "so why should I be in a rush? Ask me again when you''re married with kids."


    "You cheeky little rascal!"


    "Well, now that the coboration''s done, I''m off. I''ve got work waiting."


    "Wait a minute!" n called out.


    27.7%


    Chapter 136 Kristian Visited Hugh


    Freya turned back, her usualposure intact.


    "Are you secretly in love and hiding the guy from us?" n''s eyes gleamed with curiosity.


    Freya blinked,pletely thrown. Where had thate from?


    "Was it that guy who dropped you home when you were eighteen?" "Which one?"


    "The one in military boots, ck coat... ridiculously good-looking."


    That made Freya''s expression shift, finally. Was he referring to her captain? "How do you know about that?" she asked seriously now.


    Back then, she''d been injured during a mission, and her captain had insisted on seeing her home. It was nearly three in the morning when they arrived, and everyone in the house had been fast asleep. n lived next door, not in the same household.


    "So, it was him?"


    "No. He''s just one of my superiors," Freya answered quickly, not wanting to fan any mes. Still, she asked cautiously, "Did you see his face clearly?"


    "How could I, from that distance?" n replied truthfully. "But from his aura and gear, he seemed impossibly charming."


    Even as a man, n had found him impressive.


    That kind of presence wasn''t easy to forget.


    "I see." Freya gave a relieved nod, then joked with a straight face, "If you''d seen him up close, you''d know- he''s not good-looking."


    That mentioned captain now sat in a room, polished and solemn, surrounded by mahogany furniture. His long fingers, calloused and scarred, still had a maic elegance.


    In his hand was a photo-one with eight individuals, including him and Freya. "Impossible!" n muttered inwardly, trusting his own eyes.


    Freya no longer wished to speak of her captain. The fewer people who knew, the better.


    Everyone was moving on with their lives. The captain had long devoted his to the country. She didn''t want to drag him into everyday conversations-it didn''t feel


    right.


    Later that afternoon, after wrapping things up with Shaw Group, Freya nned to return to her ownpany.


    But her phone buzzed with a string of messages from Ethel.


    The conversation opened with a parade of exmation marks.


    "You won''t believe what just happened at home!"


    "Dad is dumbfounded."


    Freya responded with a question mark.


    "Kristian Shaw is here."


    Freya sent another question mark in response.


    "Your ex-husband just showed up at our home with a load of gifts. He''s in the study with Dad right now. No clue what they''re discussing."


    Freya was speechless. Kristian really was the kind of ex-husband who didn''t know where the line was drawn.


    She rubbed the bridge of her nose, clearly unwilling to get entangled in his web


    again.


    She knew herself-and him-too well. If they crossed paths again, sparks would fly,


    and not the romantic kind. It would be fire and ice, striking once more.


    She Took The House, The Car, And My Heart