?Chapter 456:


    The other four young men were puzzled by Liam’s hesitation.


    “Why didn’t you tell me you wereing?” Liam asked, clearly happy to see her, as he plopped down beside Kristian. “I would’vee up earlier.”


    “I heard you were having fun, so I didn’t want to bother you,” Freya said politely.


    The young men stared, momentarily stunned. They hadn’t expected the girl their grandfathers dragged them up here to meet would be so stunning.


    “You guys only know how to mess around,” Elvin scolded, putting on his best stern act. “Freya’s been waiting on you.”


    “Sorry for making you wait.”


    “I’m Cyril rkson.”


    “I’m Eaton Duffy.”


    They introduced themselves one after the other, sneaking nces at Freya as they did.


    Assuming they were just trying to behave under pressure from their grandpas, Freya didn’t think too much of it. She simply said, “Freya Briggs.”


    “That’s a beautiful name,” Cyril said, shing a charming smile.


    “Matches you perfectly.”


    Liam couldn’t hold it in and spat out his drink.


    Luckily, he turned just in time and sprayed the floor instead. He broke into a fit of coughing and teased, “Man, you sure know how to make an impression.”


    “I’m not joking,” Cyril muttered, a little sheepish now. His earlier reluctance forgotten. “I really think her name’s beautiful—and she’s stunning.”


    The moment Liam heard those words, his first instinct was to sneak a nce at Kristian.


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    He was dying to see how Kristian would react to someone taking an obvious interest in Freya.


    But Kristian didn’t give him the reaction he was hoping for.


    Right then, Kristian kept his emotions locked up tight, fully aware that this wasn’t the right time or ce to say anything.


    Still, the look he gave Cyril had a quiet intensity to it—sharp, but subtle.


    “Thanks. You’re quite the charmer yourself,” Freya replied politely, her lips curving into a faint, practiced smile.


    Cyril lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.


    As the conversation rolled on, he didn’t hold back in expressing his admiration, peppering Freya with questions about her interests and likes. By the end of it, even Lionel and Elvin could read him like an open book.


    Cyril firmly believed that when a woman was exceptional, she deserved to hear it out loud.


    Elvin figured it was best to give his grandson some private time with Freya. This was, after all, the first time he’d seen Cyril so genuinely taken with someone.


    “Lionel, how about a stroll?” Elvin suggested as he got to his feet, offering Cyril a knowing, supportive nod. “Let the youngsters talk. We don’t need to hover.”


    Lionel nced over at Kristian before nodding. “Sure.”


    Before long, all the older folks wandered off for a private chat, leaving the younger crowd behind.


    The rest of the young men quickly picked up on Cyril’s interest in Freya. Being good friends, they knew better than to hang around awkwardly, eaching up with a reason to bow out gracefully. Eaton was thest to go. Before leaving, he looked over at Kristian and Liam, who were still lingering, and asked cautiously, “Liam, Kristian, do you need to double-check today’s schedule?”


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