?Chapter 416:


    “Obviously!” n dered, then promptly slumped onto Kristian’s shoulder, sound asleep.


    Across the room, Gerard and Toby were seated far enough away to miss most of the exchange, but they’d caught enough to pique their curiosity.


    Gerard leaned over to whisper, eyes full of mischief. “Do you think your boss might have feelings for mine?”


    The two men were sitting close. Talking low. Too close.


    And—most telling of all—Kristian, known for treating personal space like sacred ground, hadn’t brushed n off.


    Toby, in his usual tailored suit, replied without missing a beat, “I’m more worried than you are.”


    That floored Gerard. Had he identally unearthed some sort of hidden secret? Could Freya’s cousin possibly be into men? If that were true, wouldn’t that spell trouble for Kristian?


    “Wait… what exactly do you mean by that?” Gerard asked, clearly rattled. After all, Kristian was supposed to win Freya over!


    His imagination ignited, spinning a full-blown melodrama in seconds.


    “It’s nothing,” Toby said quickly, realizing his earlier words might’ve stirred up a ho’s nest.


    He coughed lightly, trying to steer things back on track. “Don’t worry. My boss likes women. There’s no way he’s interested in your boss.”


    Gerard shot him a look that inly said, “Do you hear yourself? You just said the opposite a minute ago.”


    “Toby Green.” Kristian, having noticed that n was truly out cold, called out in his usual level tone—cool, controlled, and not open for debate.


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    The man straightened like a soldier caught slouching. “May I help you?”


    “You can head back. I’ll take care of n and make sure he gets home.”


    Toby immediately stepped forward, trying to intervene. “There’s really no need to trouble yourself, Mr. Shaw. I’ll take him home. He’s a light sleeper and prefers to wake up in familiar surroundings.”


    Kristian nced at the man asleep on his shoulder, then returned his gaze to Toby—cold, unreadable.


    Toby fell silent. There was no arguing with that look.


    “n.” Kristian nudged him gently and asked, “Do you want your secretary to take you home, or should I?”


    Half-asleep, n’s mind tangled in dreams, confused the voice for Freya’s.


    Without bothering to open his eyes, n pointedzily at Kristian and muttered, “You.”


    Toby froze mid-step.


    Gerard’s jaw practically hit the floor. Had he just… heard that right? Had the two grown that close in such a short time?


    Sure, n was the sociable type, but Kristian? He was cold as stone, a man who kept the world at arm’s length. Why would he be willing to help n?


    And yet… n had chosen Kristian over his own secretary?


    “Sir, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?” Toby asked anxiously.


    “Perhaps I should still take you. Mr. Shaw, I…”


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