?Chapter 335:


    “You don’t need to teach him a lesson,” Freya interjected decisively. “I’ve divorced him. The less involvement, the better.”


    Hugh, realizing there was nothing left to say, quietly agreed. “Alright.” He didn’t argue, though a quiet bitterness lingered within him toward Kristian.


    As there was nothing else to discuss, Freya stood. “I’m going upstairs. Come to me if you need anything.”


    “Alright.” Hugh wanted to keep her there, but deep down, he knew he’d have nothing meaningful to say. He wouldn’t know how to start the conversation, even if he tried.


    She didn’t want to talk about family matters or Kristian. And after a long day at work, thest thing she needed was a talk about thepany.


    Ethel shook her head in amusement, casually holding a snack pack. “Dad, is ‘alright’ the only thing you can say? In that case, how are you supposed to start a conversation with Freya?”


    Ethel dramatized, cing her hand over her heart. “In my opinion, you should say, ‘Why go upstairs? Leaving so soon after dinner? Don’t you want to spend more time with me? I’m your dad, after all. Don’t you even see me as one?''”


    Freya stopped short in her tracks.


    “You know, if you say it that way, Mina is definitely going to suspect something is off and ask what’s going on with you,” Ethel continued, initiating the conversation. “And then, if you im everything is fine, she won’t buy it. She’ll be convinced there’s something you’re hiding. That way, she’ll try to talk to you. You are so clumsy!” Ethel added with a final remark.


    Freya turned to the mischievous Ethel and asked questions every student dreaded. “How many schrships have you won since you started college? Are all your certificationsplete? How are you preparing for graduation? Do you have your career path figured out?”


    “Every year,pleted them all, and I’ve even secured a spot for grad school. I’m justzing around at home now,” Ethel chuckled, breezing through the questions.


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    “Really?” Freya turned to her.


    Her eyes and tone were soft but filled with an underlying intensity that made Ethel feel a sense of danger.


    “And what about ns for your future?” Freya pressed on. “Like, are you thinking about marrying your boyfriend?” Ethel coughed ufortably.


    She regretted her earlier remarks to her sister. This was just a mild rebuke; had she been more daring, the consequences would have been worse.


    At that moment, the doorbell suddenly rang.


    Ethel quickly set down her snacks, jumped up, and dered, “I’ll get the door!”


    Then she hurried off.


    Hugh reflected on Ethel’s words, pursed his lips, and cautiously offered, “Mina, why not stay a bit longer? It’s rare to see you; we should catch up.”


    “Good night,” was all Freya said.


    Hugh dared not speak further. “Alright, good night.” Just then, Ethel walked back in.


    Her eyes flickered uncertainly between Freya and Hugh.


    Freya asked, “Who was at the door?”


    “Umm…” Ethel hesitated, unsure of what to say.


    Her father had always warned her against bringing up Cheryl and Vivien before Freya. Now that Vivien had unexpectedly shown up, Ethel was flustered.


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