?Chapter 533:


    “Why are you here?” Gerard asked, his voice tight. He could feel the chill radiating from Kristian, a wave of unease creeping up his spine. “Is that… Ms. Briggs?”


    Gerard blinked in disbelief. What was Melvin doing here with Freya? And Freya… she lookedpletely out of it—drunk or something even worse.


    “Hand her over to me.” Kristian closed the distance with long, deliberate strides, his eyes sharp, his presence intimidating. Every inch of him radiated authority.


    “No chance,” Melvin shot back. “I’ve got business with my boss.”


    “What kind of business brings you to a hotel?” Kristian’s tone was biting, a flicker of relief crossing his features as he realized he’d arrived just in time. “You think I don’t know what you’re up to?”


    Kristian knew exactly how much trust Freya ced in her assistant. And yet, Melvin had tossed it away—for cash.


    Melvin’s confusion was written all over his face.


    Gerard, sensing the tension tightening, stepped in. “Hold on, Mr. Shaw. Maybe this is just a mix-up?”


    “Either walk away now, or I’ll have you hauled off to the police station to sort it out,” Kristian threatened, his re as cold and sharp as a de.


    Melvin stood frozen, caught in the headlights. If he exined, the cameras would betray him. If he stayed quiet, he was headed straight for trouble—with his boss, no less.


    “Call the police, Gerard.”


    “Mr. Shaw…”


    “Call the police!”


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    “There has to be a mistake,” Gerard said, reading the atmosphere and trying to keep the peace. “Melvin’s not that kind of guy.”


    Kristian turned that cutting re onto Gerard, making him break into a nervous sweat.


    All Gerard could do was tug at Melvin’s sleeve. “Come on, say something.”


    Kristian kicked Melvin square in the side, not holding back in the slightest.


    Caught off guard, Melvin stumbled back, and Freya slipped from his arms straight into Kristian’s waiting hold.


    Just as Melvin opened his mouth, Freya, nestled against Kristian’s chest, whispered something under her breath. She hated being held like that, but she’de too far to drop the act now.


    “Take me away. Don’t make this harder for Melvin,” Freya murmured so only Kristian could hear. “We’re using this to trap whoever’s behind all this.”


    Kristian froze for a second.


    Gerard, sensing the sudden shift in the air, panicked even more. “Mr. Shaw…”


    “Since you’re Gerard’s friend, I’ll let this go—for now,” Kristian said coolly, keeping up the act. “But you’d better watch yourself.”


    With that, he scooped Freya up and walked out of the hotel.


    Freya was speechless. Was he doing this just to mess with her?


    “Mr. Shaw.” Gerard made onest attempt to defend Melvin. He was convinced Melvin wouldn’t do something like this. Kristian ignored him, tossing back a simple, “Let’s go.”


    Gerard hesitated, torn, but followed. As he passed Melvin, he whispered, “Just exin everything tomorrow. I’m sure this is all a misunderstanding.”


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