?Chapter 398:


    After all, the very roots of Briggs Group’s sess had been nted in the soil of an arranged marriage.


    The next morning, Freya rose with the dawn.


    She slipped into her jogging clothes and headed out for a morning run, spending half an hour feeling the cool air on her face. When she returned, the smell of breakfast drifted from the kitchen, and she found Hugh there, busy making the meal.


    In the past few days, whenever Freya was home, Hugh had taken it upon himself to cook.


    The maids were only tasked with cleaning and some light shopping.


    “Call She down for breakfast, Mina,” Hugh said, briefly pausing his movements when he saw Freya, though his tone remained unchanged.


    Freya gave a simple nod in agreement.


    Breakfast passed in silence.


    It was the weekend, and with no sses to attend, Ethel remained home, as usual.


    After finishing her meal, Freya stood, preparing to leave for Anita International to take care of some tasks.


    But before she walked out the door, she hesitated, emotions swirling inside her. Finally, she turned to Hugh, her voice firm yet gentle. “Dad, you can make your own choices about your life and happiness.”


    Hugh froze, his fork suspended midair, stunned by her words. For a long moment, he simply stared, unsure how to respond.


    “I’m off to work,” Freya added, her words cutting through the tension before she exited.


    Hugh’s chest fluttered with an unexpected excitement. He turned to Ethel, still eating, and asked, “What did your sister just call me?”


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    “Dad.”


    “What?”


    “She called you ‘Dad.''” Ethel sighed inwardly, knowing where this was headed.


    Hugh’s face softened, as though still trying to convince himself that he wasn’t imagining things. “Really?”


    “Yes,” Ethel answered, pausing to put down her utensils. “If you don’t believe me, I can call her back and have her say it again for you.”


    “Stop it!” Hugh grinned.


    Pretending to be annoyed, there was no hiding the sheer joy lighting up Hugh’s face.


    That single word had erased all the bitterness he had carried from the previous day. His mind reyed Freya’s voice saying “Dad” over and over again. It was like a melody he couldn’t stop hearing. After all this time, Freya had finally called him “Dad” again.


    Ethel, noticing the smile creeping across his face, couldn’t help but tease, “When I call you Dad, you don’t look this happy. Come on, admit it. Am I adopted?”


    “You little rascal, what nonsense are you spouting?”


    “Who was it yesterday saying Mina seems like apletely different person, huh?”


    “Definitely wasn’t me,” Hugh huffed, still smiling, unable to contain his pride.


    Freya had intended to head straight to the office, but just as she was about to leave, her phone rang. It was Ashley.


    Hearing Ashley’s voice, Freya almost couldn’t believe it. “Ashley?”


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