?Chapter 391:


    “What exactly do you want from me?” she asked, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and curiosity.


    “I want us to remarry,” Kristian replied, his gaze intense and unwavering as he locked eyes with her, searching for a flicker of hope.


    Freya remained silent, her mind reeling. She had given him opportunities in the past to mend their fractures, but some chances, once squandered, were lost forever.


    For the remainder of their journey, a heavy silence hung between them. Freya nced at the GPS, then quietly grabbed her phone and typed out a quick message to Ethel, sharing Kristian’s home address.


    As soon as she received the message, Ethel promptly directed the bodyguards to gather all thevish gifts Kristian had sent and load them into the car.


    Hugh, watching her move briskly through the room with determined steps, blinked in confusion. “She, what are you doing now?”


    “Returning everything Kristian Shaw sent over,” Ethel blurted out, her tone sharp and to the point.


    As they spoke, Hugh’s expression clouded with concern, prompting Ethel to notice his troubled look.


    With a nonchnt tone, she asked while watching the bodyguards work, “What’s on your mind?”


    Hugh hesitated, his lips tightening before he finally broached the subject. “Did Mina ever tell you why she can’t stand Cheryl?”


    His question hung in the air, heavy with implications, as Ethel paused mid-thought. Her once bright expression dimmed, reflecting the storm brewing within.


    She never could hide her emotions; they painted her face like vivid strokes on a canvas. Now, shadows of concern etched her features. “You seem indifferent…”


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    Ethel was concerned about Mina’s absence, yet fussed over trivialities.


    “Hugh, caught off guard by the sudden shift, responded, “What happened to her?”


    “Kristian took her away,” she replied, her voice tinged with resignation.


    A wave of relief momentarily washed over Hugh, his thoughts briefly drifting back to the lunch gathering that had preupied him all afternoon.


    “Don’t fret too much. If Kristian dares harm Freya, he’ll answer to me,” he assured her, trying to inject a note of certainty into his voice.


    Ethel frowned, her gaze piercing as if she was seeing Hugh for the first time. “Dad.”


    “What is it?” Hugh looked up, his voiceden with a mix of curiosity and concern.


    “Do you love Mina less after what happened today?” Ethel’s youthful sensitivity often led her to read deeply into situations.


    Hugh’s face hardened, a stern visage recing his earlier rxed demeanor. “That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all day!”


    “If this were any other day, the mere mention of Mina being taken by Kristian would have sent you into a frenzy, eager to retrieve her or at least make a call.” Her emotions were palpable, her heart a tumultuous sea that refused to calm.


    Hugh found himself at a loss for words, her questioning striking deeper than expected. He turned away, his steps faltering as he headed inside, his usual poised demeanor unraveling.


    Ethel trailed after him, persistence coloring her tone. “Is there an issue with Mina?”


    “It’s not an issue with her per se,” Hugh began, his voice softening as he grappled with his feelings. “I just can’t fathom why she, who is usually sopassionate, would act so harshly towards Cheryl at lunch today.”


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