?Chapter 538:


    Kristian kept his gaze locked on the back of Gerard’s head, silently deciding that they were due for a serious talk about who exactly signed Gerard’s paycheck.


    They hadn’t gone far when Freya’s phone buzzed. It was Melvin. Without missing a beat, she swiped to answer. “Hello, Mel.”


    Kristian’s expression went cial.


    “Mr. Briggs, who really knows the details of your rtionship with Kristian?” Melvin asked, the Bluetooth crackling softly as he drove.


    Freya hesitated. “Why do you ask?”


    “Right after you left, a man stepped out of the room on the 23rd floor and said a few things to me,” Melvin exined, his voice sharp and clear. “It sounded like he knew a lot about you and Kristian.”


    “What exactly did he say?”


    “He told me toe find you tomorrow. And if you asked about tonight, I should say you fainted from food poisoning. They even said they’d forge a report to back it up,” Melvin said. “They were convinced you’d believe me over Kristian.”


    Freya’s eyes flicked toward Kristian. Of course, she would believe Melvin over him. Whoever was behind this clearly understood her well enough to exploit that bias.


    “What’s our next move?” Melvin asked.


    “Stick to their story,” Freya answered, already thinking several steps ahead.


    “Alright,” Melvin said without hesitation. “Where are you now? Should Ie pick you up?”


    “NO,” Freya sighed, a dull throb building behind her temples. “Your showing up might make things messier. Just pick me up from Kristian’s ce in the morning.”


    At that, Kristian visibly rxed. He’d genuinely been worried she might hurl herself out of the car mid-drive.


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    Melvin, on the other hand, wentpletely silent.


    “Hello?” Freya prompted.


    “Ms. Briggs,” Melvin said, all seriousness now.


    “Yes?”


    “Do you know what kind of rtionship is the most dangerous?” Melvin asked seriously.


    Freya blinked. “What?”


    “Exes,” Melvin said without a shred of irony. “If you go home with him, what if he takes advantage of you?”


    Freya paused but responded coolly, “He can’t touch me.”


    Kristian was skilled, sure, but if it came down to a fight, she’d hold her own. She wouldn’t lose.


    “Men are unpredictable—more than you can guard against,” Melvin warned,pletely forgetting just how dangerous Freya herself could be. “Especially someone like Kristian.”


    For a moment, Freya was at a loss for words. After a beat of silence, she replied, “I’ll have Frederick pick me upter. You go on home.”


    “Okay,” Melvin agreed at once.


    The moment she hung up, Kristian’s brow furrowed, and an icy tension settled around him. She was leaving?


    “You want to leave?”


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