?Chapter 496:


    If the conversation couldn’t continue without chaos, she would just leave. Miguel was older, and she wouldn’t stoop to arguing—but that didn’t mean she had to stick around.


    “Aren’t you supposed to be working?” Miguel’s frown softened ever so slightly at the sight of n, though his tone remained firm.


    There was still a hint of old-school gender bias in the way he treated men versus women. But Freya didn’t care, as long as her parents didn’t think the same way.


    “I was working, but there’s something going on at thepany that only Mina can handle,” n replied smoothly. “I couldn’t find her there, so I came here.”


    Miguel’s expression remained stern. “And thepany can’t function without her?”


    “It really can’t,” n said with a good-natured smile, clearly unbothered by the old man’s tone. “You wouldn’t believe how sharp she is. She just closed a killer deal that brought in a huge profit.”


    “She should focus on looking presentable,” Miguel muttered, his eyes narrowing at Freya’s tailored outfit. “What’s the point of being at the office anyway?”


    n’s gaze shifted ever so slightly at that remark.


    Freya, however, remained unfazed. She let the words drift past her like a breeze. She already knew what her grandfather thought.


    To him, marriage was simply a tool—to extract the highest possible value.


    “Look at the daughters of other prestigious families. Which one of them doesn’t keep themselves polished and poised?” Miguel continued his rant.


    “Mina’s stunning even without all that polish,” n replied sincerely. “And everyone’s different. Some enjoy dressing up. Mina enjoys making money. There’s room for both.”


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    Miguel clearly didn’t appreciate the sentiment.


    Vivien quickly tried to smooth things over. “n’s right. Freya really is beautiful. Even without any effort, she still turns heads.”


    Both Freya and n winced slightly at her sharine tone.


    Miguel cast another nce at Freya, his discontent still simmering. “Being pretty isn’t enough. She stillcks the real talent topete.”


    At that, Freya arched a brow ever so slightly but said nothing. Thinking Miguel had misunderstood herpletely, n was ready to speak up.


    He knew how gifted Freya was. She’d hosted her own art exhibitions, written pianopositions used inpetitions—all when she was still a teenager.


    Experts from multiple disciplines had praised her work.


    Years had passed since then, and she had only honed her skills further.


    How could she be seen ascking?


    But before he could say a word, Freya gently tugged on his sleeve.


    n looked over, confused.


    “Your father’s spoiled you, hiding you away from the world,” Miguel said, still fixed on Freya. “Now that you’re an adult, it’s time for you to pull your weight.”


    n blinked. What was this about?


    “I called you here to ask if there’s anyone you’re interested in,” Miguel said, his tone all business. “If there is, I’ll arrange the marriage ordingly. But since you’ve already been married once, I’ll handle it my way.”


    “I won’t marry for business,” Freya said, her voice steady and firm.


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