?Chapter 453:


    However, today celebrated Lionel’s birthday, and she had already rejected several of his proposals. Another refusal would border on discourtesy.


    “Alright,” she conceded with quiet eptance.


    “Let’s proceed!” Lionel’s demeanor instantly brightened, as though merely sharing Freya’spany could sustain his happiness indefinitely.


    It seemed Freya needed no extraordinary efforts to serve as his wellspring of joy.


    Kristian hadn’t anticipated this development. He had expected Freya to decline, given her well-known aversion to social orchestrations.


    What escaped his understanding was that she remained entirely unaware that Lionel’s “introduction to friends” constituted another matchmaking attempt.


    She had assumed Lionel’s matchmaking efforts were exclusively directed toward reuniting her with Kristian, never considering alternative possibilities.


    Kristian positioned himself behind the steering wheel.


    Freya intended to upy the front passenger seat, reasoning that relegating herself to the back would seem inappropriately formal under the circumstances.


    However, Lionel specifically summoned her to join him in the rear seating area.


    Thirty minutester, they arrived at their destination.


    Despite Kristian’s casual attire, the hotel’s moderate upancy proved fortunate—otherwise, his appearance would have attracted considerable attention.


    Lionel and Freya exited the vehicle together.


    With purposeful strides, Lionel guided Freya forward while Kristian followed at a respectful distance.


    Once inside the establishment, Lionel enthusiastically presented Freya to his longtime associates. Her unexpected presence immediately kindled their curiosity.


    “Lionel, who might this youngdy be?” someone inquired.


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    Maintaining an impressively solemn expression, Lionel quipped, “My granddaughter, Freya.”


    His announcement bewildered the assembled group.


    Kristian arched a single eyebrow in silent response.


    Freya herself started visibly, utterly unprepared for Lionel to characterize their rtionship in such terms.


    “Surely you jest? We’re well acquainted with your actual granddaughter,” someone countered.


    “Precisely my point.”


    “Perhaps she’s your granddaughter-inw?” they spected with growing interest.


    Lionel had conscientiously avoided publicizing Kristian and Freya’s rtionship, honoring her preference for discretion.


    Yet in this moment, he felt a sudden impulse to proim, “Indeed, this is my granddaughter-inw!” He tried hard to hold back.


    Instead, he dered, “My worthless grandson doesn’t merit Freya’spanionship.”


    With this pronouncement, every gaze instinctively shifted toward Kristian.


    “Even Kristian falls short of worthiness?” eximed Elvin rkson, one of Lionel’s oldest friends.


    They recognized Kristian’s exceptional qualities.


    Despite his youth, he adeptly managed the extensive Shaw Group. Since assuming the role of President, he hadmitted no missteps, only expanding thepany’s prosperity.


    Numerous youngdies eagerly sought connection with him, yet Kristian consistently denied everyone such opportunity.


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