?Chapter 608:


    “That man must really believe Ashley’s turned her back on him.” Freya’s chest felt unbearably tight, like a weight she couldn’t shake off.


    She’d always figured that if she helped Ashley set up her phone right—hid their chats and calls—it would be enough. But she hadn’t thought the man might do some digging of his own.


    There was nothing for him to find—no calls, no messages between her and Ashley.


    Still, Freya had gone all out, securing Ashley’s phone with top-level encryption. And let’s be honest, no regr phone had that kind of hacker-grade protection.


    Kristian tried to steady her. “It’s fine. Just breathe.” But Freya didn’t say a word.


    She didn’t want Ellis tangled up in this.


    If he stepped in now, the fallout would be endless. She wanted him far away from this chaos—safe, untouched.


    There was one small thing that gave her a sliver offort.


    Back when she set up Ashley’s phone, she’d thought ahead—disguised her number, just in case Ashley ever swapped devices.


    So as long as Ashley was out in public, her phone’s IP address was virtual, not traceable.


    That mastermind wouldn’t be able to track their previous meetups.


    “Drop me off a little further up,” Freya said, her voice calm despite everything. “You and Gerard need to stay back.”


    “Why?”


    “Because your phones aren’t cloaked. If you show up near Ashley’s ce now, it’ll look like she’s been secretly meeting you.” Freya was precise, her logic wless.


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    Since Ashley’s old phone couldn’t work now, it meant the mastermind had been keeping tabs on her ever since.


    What a pain.


    Kristian flung his phone onto the seat beside him, making his decision clear. “Then I’m going with you, phone-free.”


    “It’s easier if I go alone,” Freya said inly. She’d only gotten into Kristian’s car to tell him all of this. “If youe with me, it’ll justplicate things even more.”


    Kristian didn’t have aeback.


    Gerard piped up, “Sir, best listen to her.”


    Kristian wanted to argue but held back. Thest thing he wanted was to make Freya upset.


    Freya hopped out of the car, bought aptop on the way, then hailed a cab to Ashley’s apartment.


    About thirty minutester, Freya arrived, skillfully dodging all the nearby cameras.


    Ashley opened the door, her eyes red and puffy like overripe plums. “Freya! What do I do now? Did he find out I betrayed him?”


    “Don’t freak out,” Freya told her gently. She nced around the room, making sure Ashley’s phone andptop were powered down before she rxed. “Tell me everything you said to him today.”


    Ashley spilled everything, not holding anything back.


    “So you’re saying he started getting suspicious after you mentioned me and Kristian?” Freya rified. Ashley nodded quickly. “Yeah.”


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