?Chapter 599:


    Freya vaguely recalled that episode. Cade had faked a stomachache to get out of training and got hit with an even worse punishment. If just one lie led to that kind of wrath, what kind of hell would she face if Ellis thought she once tried to use him?


    “Don’t scare Mina,” Trent cut in, clearly trying to smooth things over. He didn’t want them ruining Ellis’s chance of wooing Freya. “Ellis is retired now. And Freya hasn’t done anything to provoke him. Maybe he’s just… being nice?”


    “Impossible!”


    “Trent, say that with your hand on your heart.”


    “There’s not an ounce of humanity in Ellis!” Three voices fired back instantly.


    Since Ellis’s retirement had alreadye up inst night’s eight-person group chat, everyone was in the loop.


    The more Freya listened, the more her stomach twisted. “Actually… I did offend Ellis once.”


    Silence fell. Even Trent went quiet for a second.


    “Mina, juste stay with me.” Greta finally broke the silence, her voiceced with concern. After all, they were best friends. “Your life is more important.”


    Riley added simply, “Agreed.”


    Freya didn’t respond right away. After a pause, she said, “Let me handle this first. Ellis probably doesn’t even have a ce to train me anymore.”


    After reassuring them, she ended the call.


    Back in the chat interface, she noticed a bunch of new messages from Greta and Riley in their three-person group chat. They were already grilling her about how she’d offended Ellis. These two had known her since they were kids. Between the three of them, secrets were practically nonexistent.


    Freya had intended to keep this one to herself, but honestly, she knew she couldn’t take on Ellis solo. So she told them. Greta responded, “One word: run.”


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    Riley said, “Two words: run fast.”


    Greta added, “A call with Ellis might cool things down at first, but after that, you’re doomed.”


    Riley sighed. “My poor Mina.”


    Freya pressed a hand to her forehead. Yeah, there was no way this would be simple.


    Greta wasn’t done. “Don’t even try to outsmart him. When he’s in the room, nobody’s brain is sharp enough.”


    Riley echoed her, “No one can survive his mind games.”


    Freya promised she got the message. Then she turned her gaze to the breakfast sitting on the table in front of her and zoned out.


    Half an hour passed. She finally shook off the cloud of thoughts and told herself to take things one step at a time.


    She couldn’t ignore the situation with Ashley’s mysterious backer. That person wasn’t just connected to Kristian—there were others involved too.


    With that in mind, she headed out to meet Ethel and her boyfriend.


    Ellis, meanwhile, had been lounging in the living room the whole time. He knew Freya had left, but this time, he stayed in, casually chatting with Trent.


    At eleven on the dot, Freya arrived at the private room in the restaurant they’d reserved.


    “Mina!” Ethel’s face lit up the moment she saw her. Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “You’re finally here!”


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