?Chapter 559:


    In that instant, everything snapped into focus. He realized, painfully, that he had misjudged Freya all along.


    “Set up a meeting with Norah Russell,” Kristian blurted, his voice sharp with urgency.


    Gerard gave a quick nod. “Alright.”


    As Gerard exited the room, Kristian’s gaze stayed locked on the thick stack of paperwork in his hands.


    The weight of the revtions hit harder than anything he’d ever faced. He couldn’t wrap his head around how Norah had managed to keep such a perfect mask in ce.


    Norah was Damon’s little sister. She was thest person Kristian ever thought capable of something like this. He never imagined she would go to such great lengths to set Freya up.


    The two women had no visible connection at all.


    His thoughts spun in chaos as he lifted a hand to his forehead, the regret seeping out of him like a slow bleed.


    Scenes from the past came rushing back—every doubt he’d thrown at Freya, the harsh words, the way he’d dismissed her pleas. She had tried to exin. And how had he treated her? He’d never trusted her. The more he thought about it, the tighter his chest became, until it felt like he couldn’t draw in a full breath.


    He realized Freya had been right. All along. It was he who had changed, not her. She had remained constant—true to herself from beginning to end.


    The heaviness in his chest sank lower, dulling into a lingering ache.


    When Gerard returned to give his report, he found Kristian seated with his head bowed low, eyes still fixed on the stack of damning papers. The air in the room felt suffocating, thick with unspoken regret—like a child quietlymenting a mistake that couldn’t be undone.


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    Gerard exhaled softly and slipped out without saying a word, gently shutting the door behind him, leaving Kristian alone with the consequences.


    Life has a way of bncing itself. Gains and losses, cause and effect. Every decision carries its cost. Sooner orter, everyone pays. Kristian and Freya—two souls meant to cross paths, but never meant to walk the same road.


    For the next hour, Kristian didn’t move from his office chair. He sat steeped in silence, buried in thought.


    Gerard kept watch outside, intercepting those looking for signatures or direction, scribbling down their questions and bundling up the paperwork forter.


    Freya’s heartbreak had likely happened six months ago. But for Kristian, it started today.


    Thankfully, he didn’t drown in the misery for long. By six o’clock, he had finished reviewing the documents and called Gerard back in.


    “How’s the contact going?” Kristian asked, his voice steady but rougher than usual, the rasp unmistakable.


    “Miss Russell hasn’t picked up,” Gerard responded.


    Kristian didn’t flinch. His tone stayed even as he gave his next order. “Get in touch with Josiah Russell. Tell him I need to speak with Norah.” Norah’s father was abroad—not that he’d be of much help anyway.


    As for Damon, he had his own mess to sort through.


    “Understood,” Gerard replied, making a quick note of the instruction. He then offered a stack of files and a list. “Here are the documents needing your signature, along with the questions from the senior execs.”


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