?Chapter 509:


    “Sir, I’ll head back to the office and deal with a few things,” Gerard said, sensing that his presence wasn’t required anymore. “Just call me when you’re ready, and I’ll send someone to pick you up.”


    Kristian’s tone remained as aloof as ever. “Alright.”


    Soon, only Freya and Kristian remained.


    Freya looked at him with narrowed eyes, suspicion dancing in her gaze. Her voice carried a trace of annoyance. “What are you doing here?”


    Kristian’s eyes locked onto hers, her reflection caught in his stare. He wanted to throw her own words back at her—”none of your business.”


    But he knew saying that would only push her farther away, leaving them more estranged than they already were.


    Freya raised an eyebrow, waiting. Why wasn’t he saying anything?


    “Just discussing a few things with your grandpa,” Kristian finally answered, his voice steady.


    “What kind of things?”


    “Business.” The reply was curt and clipped.


    Freya shot him a skeptical look.


    Her grandfather had stepped away from business matters ever since her father took over the reins. There was no reason for him to suddenly get involved again.


    “If you don’t believe me, feel free to ask him,” Kristian said as he stood up. His suit hugged his frame perfectly, making him look maddeningly attractive.


    Freya wasn’t about to ask. She knew her grandfather wouldn’t spill a word.


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    Worse, he might flip the script and ask her about yesterday’s gathering.


    After returning from it the day before, she’d spent the rest of her time with Trent, steering clear of everyone else. If Vivien had snitched to Miguel, another gathering might already be in the works.


    Unless absolutely necessary, Freya preferred to avoid facing Miguel altogether.


    She stared at Kristian for a beat before asking again, “What kind of business matters?”


    “Since it’s business, there are confidentiality uses,” Kristian replied as he stepped closer.


    His presence loomed over her like a shadow. “I can’t disclose anything to outsiders.”


    Freya couldn’t poke any holes in his exnation, so she let it drop—for now.


    She figured if he hade to propose marriage, her grandfather would definitely bring it up during lunch.


    If he didn’t, then it was none of her business. And if it didn’t concern her, she had no reason to meddle.


    Ten minutester, the butler called them in for lunch.


    The meal was unusually quiet—nobody said a word.


    Freya thought the silence was downright eerie. Her grandfather was never this subdued. On previous visits, he always had something to critique—whether it was someone’s love life, job, or grades, he never held back.


    From n to Ethel, no one was safe.


    But today? Even after everyone had finished eating, he hadn’t uttered a single word.


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