?Chapter 457:


    Anyone with a shred ofmon sense could tell he was politely urging them to clear out.


    Liam answered easily, “You go ahead. We’ll catch up in a bit.”


    “Alright.” Eaton didn’t stick around.


    “Kristian,” Liam murmured, nudging him in the arm, his gaze flicking between Cyril and Freya before raising an eyebrow. “Shouldn’t we be heading out too?”


    “Why would we do that?” Kristian replied, his face cool andposed.


    Liam smirked, throwing an arm around his shoulder and leaning in to whisper. “Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed Cyril making a move on Freya. If you can’t keep her happy, maybe it’s time to let someone else take a shot.”


    Kristian’s eyes shifted from Cyril back to Liam, filled with disdain. Sure, Cyril had one of those trendy pretty-boy faces, but he wasn’t Freya’s type.


    If that had been her thing, she would’ve been with Frederick long ago—no need to wait until now.


    “You really not gonna leave?” Liam asked again, poking at him.


    Kristian t-out ignored him.


    Of course, Liam—always ready to stir things up—grinned mischievously. “What’s the matter? Jealous? Afraid Cyril might steal her heart?”


    Kristian’s lips twitched into the faintest smirk as he shot back coolly, “If you’ve got this much free time, maybe focus on your own business. I’d be happy to persuade Grandpa to introduce girls to you.”


    “That might’ve worked before,” Liam shot back with a grin, teeth shing. “But now? Pretty sure Grandpa would tell you to get your act together beforeing after me.”


    Kristian went quiet. He knew Liam had a point. Lionel would definitelye down on him first.


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    “Freya, I’m gonna go over the schedule with Kristian,” Liam announced suddenly, not giving Kristian a chance to protest. “We’ll be back in a bit.”


    Freya caught on quickly but only replied, “Okay.”


    “Let’s move.” Liam tugged on Kristian’s arm.


    For the first time, Kristian had the strong urge to strangle him. How could one person be this irritating?


    Even though he didn’t want to leave, Liam had already made the decision for him, so he had no choice but to step away for now. As the brothers walked off, Cyril was suddenly hit with a wave of nerves.


    He couldn’t quite figure out why—he’d always been smooth with women, confident and easygoing. But now, the right words just wouldn’te.


    “Lionel mentioned earlier that your family’s from Alerith. Did I remember it right?” Cyril asked, trying to spark something.


    Freya’s tone stayed t. “Yes.”


    “My family’s from Alerith too!” Cyril’s eyes lit up. “When are you heading back? Maybe we could travel together.”


    “Tomorrow,” Freya replied after a pause.


    It wasn’t that she didn’t know how to hold a conversation—this was just who she was. She’d always been reserved, even around Trent and the rest.


    Meanwhile, Kristian and Liam hadn’t gone to review anything. Instead, they’d found a quiet corner, sitting down with the schedule sheet, pretending to look it over.


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