?Chapter 594:


    Ellis paused and thought his father was still so childish.


    “Captain, we’ve arrived at your destination,” Freya announced, pulling up beside a sprawling mall that blended shopping and dining in one sleekplex.


    Ellis gave it a nce. “Let’s head to the parking lot.”


    Freya blinked, confused.


    “Let’s grab a meal together,” Ellis said, his tone light, his chiseled features rxed. “It’s the perfect opportunity to make a good impression on my future boss.”


    Freya hesitated. “Captain…” She felt like he was teasing her.


    Still, she turned the car toward the lot.


    To keep his phone from blowing upter, Ellis sent a friend request to his dad, then texted his mother, Kendra Lambert.


    Kendra responded almost immediately, “Alright, just focus on your business. Don’t worry about us.” With that settled, Ellis felt at ease.


    The meal passed without much fuss.


    Freya had nned to cover the bill, but Ellis beat her to it without a word.


    Afterward, Freya considered giving him a lift home, but he shook his head. “My ce isn’t in this district, and I’m not nning on heading back yet. I need to find somewhere to stay first.”


    “You need a new ce?”


    “I’ll be working at the office soon, so I need an apartment nearby.” Ellis wasn’t making it up. His home was far from Anita International, andmuting meant battling gridlock every day.


    “You can stay at my apartment,” Freya offered, her concern for him clear. “The apartment next door is mine too, and it’s close to the office.”


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    Ellis didn’t know how to respond. He reached out and gently tapped her forehead.


    She looked up at him. “Hmm?”


    “Don’t go trusting men too easily.” A cocktail of emotions stirred within Ellis. She was a little too trusting for her own good. It worked in his favor, sure, but he didn’t want her to get hurt someday.


    “I know,” Freya replied. “But you’re different. You’re our captain.”


    Whether it was her, Trent, or Frederick, they’d always rally behind their captain whenever he needed them—just as he had stood by them in the past. To them, he wasn’t just a leader. He was family.


    Because of that bond, there was never the slightest trace of romantic tension between her and Trent—and as for Ellis, Freya had never once believed their captain harbored any feelings for her beyond camaraderie.


    Ellis took in her words, his gaze deepening. Should he be grateful for her unshakable trust… or disappointed that she didn’t see him as a possible partner?


    “Get in the car.”


    Freya caught the flicker in his expression but didn’t think much of it. It never urred to her that he had a crush on her.


    Ellis stood with one hand tucked in his pocket, tall andposed. After a pause, he got into the car.


    Freya drove him to her apartmentplex. She handed him the key to the unit next door and helped him set up the fingerprint lock.


    “There are fresh towels and toiletries in the guest room,” she said, always prepared. “Bring your clothes tomorrow and move in properly.”


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