?Chapter 360:


    Freya admitted, “Yes.” She saw no point in hiding it from her trusted assistant.


    “He is pretty shrewd. If we don’t follow the n to the letter, he’ll sniff out the truth,” Melvin said thoughtfully. “I’ll set up a dinner for us tomorrow—and I’ll make sure he sees us.”


    Freya blinked, surprised. He’d see them?


    “How exactly do you n on making that happen?”


    “Gerard—Kristian’s assistant—is a friend of mine,” Melvin exined, his voice steady. “If Gerard knows, then so will Kristian.”


    Melvin had Gerard all figured out. He was ready to y every card in his hand.


    Freya paused, marveling at how small the world could feel at times.


    After hanging up, she nced through the n once more. A thought struck her—wasn’t it a bit of a waste having Melvin work as her assistant? With such a mind, he ought to be running his ownpany.


    Meanwhile, Melvin wasted no time. No sooner had he ended the call with Freya than he rang up Gerard. The performance had to be airtight. One crack, and everything could crumble.


    “You’re pursuing someone?” Gerard nearly choked on his own disbelief. “Are you serious?”


    “Dead serious,” Melvin replied,ying the groundwork for the ruse. “I’ve had a crush on her for a long time, but back when she was married, I never dared speak my heart.”


    Gerard’s pulse quickened. “And now?”


    “She’s divorced,” Melvin said inly.


    In that moment, Gerard’s mind leapt—he instinctively thought of Freya. Just to be sure, he asked, “What was your rtionship like before?”


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    “She was my superior,” Melvin responded, subtly changing the narrative. He had intended to say she was his boss, but remembering that his connection to Anita International Group was still under wraps, he chose his words more carefully. After all, he still held a position at Briggs Group. So technically, it wasn’t a lie.


    Gerard rxed, then leaned into the conversation, eagerly offering all kinds of romantic advice. By the end of the call, curiosity got the better of him. “I’ll prep some flowers for you to give her at dinner tomorrow.”


    “That’d be great,” Melvin agreed without skipping a beat.


    To support his dear friend, Gerard even requested a day off from Kristian.


    The following afternoon, once work wrapped up, Freya followed the script and went on the nned date with Melvin. She arrived at the restaurant he had reserved, and he guided her inside. The ce was cozy and bathed in a soft glow—ideal for a romantic dinner. The setting whispered charm and warmth, enough to put anyone at ease.


    As they ate, Melvin looked across the table and said, “Gerard will be stopping byter.”


    Freya looked up, startled. “Why’s heing?” she asked, baffled.


    “To bring flowers,” Melvin replied matter-of-factly.


    Right on cue, Gerard walked in with a bouquet in hand. From his angle, he could only see Melvin’s face—not Freya’s. Though the flowers could’ve easily been delivered ahead of time, Gerard dyed just enough to catch a glimpse of the woman who had supposedly captured Melvin’s heart.


    He spotted a woman in elegant business attire across from Melvin and couldn’t help but smirk. So Melvin had a thing for sessful businesswomen? That was new. Gerard hadn’t seen that oneing.


    Straightening his tie, he approached with the bouquet, offering it to Melvin with a grin. “Mr. Melvin Swain, here are your… flowers.” He nearly bit his tongue finishing thatst word.


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