Chapter 242 Encountering Kristian


    "It''s just a few meals. No need to make a fuss about them." Ellis broke the silence with a voice as smooth as ever. "Or do you think I''m so strapped for cash I can''t even spring for dinner?"


    "Captain..." Freya once again found herself contemting an immediate getaway.


    And in that moment, she finally understood why her friends had insisted she leave town. Ellis had a knack for putting her under relentless mental strain.


    The elevator chimed.


    Freya felt the air shift subtly as she stepped out, with Ethel closely on her heels.


    Ellis, suitcase in hand, followed behind, his eyes trailing her retreating figure with the faintest flicker of amusement-gone as quickly as it had appeared.


    Once inside, Ethel picked up on something in the atmosphere. "Mina, do you not get along with Ellis? Or did he


    offend you?"


    "No."


    "Then why do you seem to steer clear of him?"


    - Freya paused mid-step as she changed into her slippers. "Do I?"


    "You do!"


    "Maybe my usual coolness is throwing you off."


    "No, it''s not that." Ethel, ever observant, pressed on. "You''re different around him. With others, you''re reserved butposed. With him, you seem to keep your distance, like you''re avoiding too much interaction."


    Freya moved further into the room, her thoughts unsettled by Ethel''s sharp observations.


    Ellis knew her well. If even Ethel had caught on, surely he had too.


    Hopefully, he wouldn''t read too much into it.


    "Are you two actually at odds?" Ethel suddenly grew uneasy, guilt creeping in as she realized she might have made things worse.


    If there was friction between Freya and Ellis, her earlier remarks could''ve just made everything moreplicated.


    She silently berated herself.


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    Chapter 242 Encountering Kristian


    "There''s no conflict. We get along fine and trust each other," Freya replied, filling a ss of water for She while catching Ethel''s guilt-ridden expression. "It''s just it''s been a while since west saw each other, and I''m not exactly sure how to deal with him right now


    "Really?


    "Yes."


    Relief washed over Ethel''s face.


    She leaned in with a glint of curiosity in her eyes. "Is there a chance...*


    "What?"


    "That you have a crush on him." Ethel was clearly fishing. "When you secretly have a thing for someone, that''s exactly how it shows-you suddenly don''t know how to act around them."


    Freya was caught off guard. She handed over the ss, shooting Ethel a sidelong nce.


    She''d rather choose Trent over Ellis. Unless she wanted to get scolded, she''d have a thing for Ellis.


    Ethel took the ss in both hands, still brimming with questions. Freya didn''t have


    a thing for Ellis? Then why was her behavior so out of the ordinary?


    "I''m heading out tonight. Are you staying for dinner or heading back?" Freya thought about the evening''s gathering, her chest tightening a little.


    "I''ll go home."


    Ethel was only there for a brief visit.


    After hearing her response, Freya called the family driver toe get herter.


    . With that settled, the sisters passed the time watching TV together. Freya sat in front of the screen, but her thoughts were miles away. She was seriously considering skipping tonight''s event. After all, it was just to wee Ellis-and they''d already crossed paths, Her absence wouldn''t change a thing. She could just meet up with her friends afterward.


    And so, Freya made up her mind.


    But ns rarely hold against reality.


    Just as Freya was thinking up excuses, Ellis knocked on her door, already urging her to leave.


    He stood there in a sleek, mid-length ck coat, exuding an effortless charm.


    Ethel couldn''t help sneaking in a few more nces.


    "Trent and Fred just called," Ellis said in that calm, low voice of his. "They''re asking us to head over now."


    Freya remainedposed. "I still have a bit..."


    "Freya," Ellis cut her off, seeing through her fib in a heartbeat.


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    Freya instantly felt exposed.


    After all, Ellis was her captain, and thest person who tried lying to him-Cade


    ke-had ended up with


    extra drills.


    "I''ll go change," Freya muttered.


    "Alright."


    She returned shortly after, dressed far more casually.


    She''d picked the outfit strategically-if Ellis did make her do jumping jacks or any


    other punishment, this


    would be easier to move in.


    Ellis''s eyes paused on her, seemingly surprised by the shift in her look.


    But he said nothing. As long as she wasfortable, that was enough.


    Before heading out, Freya gave Ethel a few parting instructions.


    Seated in the passenger seat of Ellis''s car, Freya, for the first time, felt the space was far too small. The silence was so thick she could hear them breathing.


    One second.


    Two seconds.


    Three seconds.


    Time ticked on, and the engine remained still.


    Freya nced at him, her expression steady, and asked casually, "Captain, why


    haven''t we moved yet?"


    "I''m thinking."


    "About what?"


    "About why some people keep dodging me."


    Freya went quiet. Outwardly, she stayed calm, but her thoughts were racing. Why had she asked that? Ellis always set traps like this.


    "If you need more time to think, maybe we should switch seats," she suggested, trying to shift the mood. "I''ll drive, and you can focus. Frederick and Trent won''t be kept waiting."


    Ellis gave her a look-elegant, amused-then allowed a slight curve to touch his lips before finally starting the


    engine.


    The entire ride, Freya stayed on edge. She swore it was the most nerve-wracking drive of her life.


    Thankfully, once Ellis started the car, he kept his thoughts to himself and didn''t set any more traps.


    When they arrived, Trent and Frederick were already there. The venue was a leisureplex, offering everything from entertainment to rxation and sports- tennis courts, golf courses, and more.


    Freya, along with Ellis, followed the staff''s guidance to the tennis court where the others waited.


    13:28


    Unexpectedly, they crossed paths with Kristian.


    Near the court, Trent and Frederick had been about to greet Ellis when they saw


    Freya run into him.


    Their eyes met.


    One pair calm and unreadable, the other filled with conflicted emotion.


    Ellis stood close beside her, and noticing the unspoken tension between them,


    broke the silence with a smooth,


    measured tone. "You two know each other?"


    "My ex-husband," Freya said with a steadyposure she''d finally mastered.


    Kristian had never felt such a powerful sense of threat.


    His gaze flickered from Freya to Ellis-and at the sight of that impable face, his heart clenched.


    Nearby, Gerard couldn''t help sneaking a few looks at Ellis.


    That face, that vibe. This man could absolutely rival Kristian.


    "Good day, Ms. Briggs," Gerard greeted with curiosity. "And who''s this?"


    "A friend of mine," Freya replied coolly.


    She deliberately avoided mentioning that Ellis was her captain. No need to invite


    assumptions or unnecessary


    chatter.