?Chapter 356:


    “Cancel Liam’s ck card,” Kristian responded curtly, his tone final, leaving no room for questions.


    Gerard hesitated, piecing together the oue. It didn’t go well, huh? Composing himself, he replied, “Understood.”


    Kristian, his fingers absently brushing against his phone, contemted Freya’s recent decision to remove him from her cklist. His thoughts were interrupted when hemanded, “Go visit the Price family.”


    “The Price family?” Gerard echoed, his surprise evident in his tone.


    Kristian nodded, a solemn hush falling over him as the car hummed beneath them. Gerard didn’t press him for answers and simply kept driving.


    The second heid eyes on Frederick, he instantly understood what Kristian had in mind. Frederick had never imagined he’d bump into Kristian during one of his rare trips back home. Fate certainly had a wicked sense of humor.


    As Kristian and Gerard stepped into the Price family’s residence, the warmth of Frederick’s father’s greeting enveloped them, his smile broad and infectious. The moment he found out Kristian hade all this way just to see Frederick, he wasted no time nudging his son, reminding him—again and again—to be gracious and respectful.


    Despite agreeing outwardly, Frederick’s casual shrug hinted at his internal dismissal of the advice.


    Settled into the plushfort of the living room, the two men delved into conversation. Frederick, donned in a crisp white sweatshirt that entuated his youthful exuberance, masked his inner nerves with a veneer of casualness.


    He ventured first, his voice tinged with a forced lightness, “Mr. Shaw, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit today?”


    Kristian, leaning forward, his demeanormanding the room despite his role as a guest, didn’t waste a moment. “How much do you actually know about Freya?” His tone was direct, almost piercing.


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    Frederick stiffened, his casual facade crumbling slightly.


    “Not much,” he admitted, a bit too hastily. “You might want to talk to Trent about her. He’s closer to her than I am.”


    Kristian’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Since neither of us knows much, why don’t we explore this together?” His suggestion, smooth and coaxing, wasced with an earnestness that was hard to ignore. “As her friend, isn’t it a failure on your part not to know even the basics about her?”


    Caught off guard, Frederick’s mind raced.


    “Could you rify that a bit more? I honestly have no idea what you’re saying right now.” Frederick spoke up, his forehead creased, clearly not understanding.


    Kristian, caught off-guard, hesitated, the words seeming to stick in his throat.


    Gerard disguised his chuckle with a forced cough, trying not to let it slip. He silently offered an apology, feeling a twinge of guilt. He hadn’t meant tough—it just burst out before he could stop it.


    Breaking the tense silence, Kristian’s voice cut through the air, each syble deliberate and heavy with intent. “I need to know everything about Freya. Name your price,” he dered, dropping any facade of casual inquiry.


    Frederick’s eyes widened momentarily in realization, then narrowed as he leaned in slightly, a mix of intrigue and disbelief coloring his tone. “Are you suggesting I spy for you?” he inquired.


    “You could certainly put it that way,” Kristian stated bluntly, his gaze unwavering.


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