?Chapter 377:


    “Mack. Mack, your father’s here.”


    Mack was visibly startled. He jumped up. “You sure?”


    “He’s already on his way in,” the person said urgently.


    “Go stall him. Tell him I’m in training,” Mack said, quickly formting a n. “I’ll meet him in the reception room in five minutes.”


    “Got it.”


    Suddenly, amanding voice rang out, sharp and unmistakable. “Why don’t you show me how training works in a restaurant?” Mack froze, stunned. How had his father gotten there so fast?


    He straightened immediately and greeted the man entering.


    The man wore a military uniform with effortless authority. Though in his forties, he barely looked thirty.


    “Weren’t you on leave for something important? And this is where you end up?” Brady Russell, Mack’s father, was every bit the sternmander. “Get back to training now. Skip your duties, and you’ll be confined.”


    “Hold on, Dad,” Mack said, visibly shrinking under his father’s gaze. “I took leave because Kristian was visiting the range. It’s not often he drops by, and I wanted to see if he’s still got it.”


    Hearing his name, Kristian stood and approached, greeting respectfully, “Good day, Mr. Russell.” Brady gave a slight nod.


    He held Kristian in high regard, and his temper cooled.


    Mack exhaled in relief, sensing he’d avoided a proper dressing-down. “I’ll head back to training after we eat. I won’t ck, promise.” His father fixed him with a look heavy with authority and expectation but said nothing more.


    Mack understood that as approval.


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    “By the way, Dad,” he added, suddenly thinking of Freya, his smile brightening, “let me introduce someone incredible! Freya just faced off with Kristian in a 300-meter match and nailed the bull’s-eye in one shot. Totally impressive!”


    Mack beamed like he’d discovered gold.


    Brady followed his gaze—and froze for a moment when he saw Freya’s face, a flicker of something passing through his expression. Freya met his eyes.


    They exchanged no words, but their looks carried unspoken thoughts.


    “Already thinking of recruiting her?” Mack teased, knowing his father too well.


    Brady stepped toward Freya. “What’s your name?”


    “Freya Briggs,” she answered.


    Brady grasped it instantly and spoke in his usual formal tone. “Could we talk privately? There’s something I’d like to discuss.”


    “Sure. Please,” Freya said politely, her voiceposed.


    They walked off together.


    Mack pped a hand on Kristian’s shoulder. “Think your ex-wife’ll give in to my dad?”


    “Does he know her?” Kristian asked suddenly.


    Mack blinked in surprise.


    He stared at Kristian, puzzled. “How could it be possible? Didn’t you hear him ask her name just now?”


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