?Chapter 611:


    “I haven’t given it to anyone, I swear. It’s always been with me—except…” Ashley trailed off, her eyes unfocused like she was sifting through memories.


    The man immediatelytched onto it.


    “Except what?” he pressed.


    “I lost it once, not long after I got back from overseas,” Ashley said slowly, her words soaked in hesitation. “But other than that, it’s always been in my hands.”


    “How’d you lose it?”


    “I don’t know… I went out for a bit, and when I got back, it was just gone. After I told Kristian, he managed to retrieve it for me.”


    After that, the line went dead quiet.


    Freya gave her a sidelong nce, taken aback by how quick Ashley had been to think on her feet.


    Ashley caught Freya’s look and waved frantically, like she’d been misunderstood.


    Freya looked confused.


    “Every word I’ve said is the truth, I swear. Just—please don’t hurt my grandma and brother,” Ashley pleaded, her voice growing desperate.


    The man simply responded, “Whether they stay safe depends on whether you’re lying.”


    And with that, the call ended before Ashley could even utter a word. He sat there, slowly rolling his phone between his fingers, his narrow eyes unreadable.


    He turned to the woman still typing in front of theptop and asked in a smooth tone, “Check the surveince near Ashley’s ce. I want to know if anyone’s been snooping around.”


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    She nodded, got to work, and soon reported back, “Nothing. No one unusual.”


    “Are you certain that her phone was rigged with K’s system?” the man questioned.


    “Absolutely,” the woman replied, her long hair cascading over one shoulder, her beauty sharp andmanding. “She taught me herself. I know her style inside and out.”


    The man fell silent, deep in thought.


    Atst, he said, “Keep tabs on Ashley’s phone. Wherever she goes, whoever she meets—I want to know immediately.”


    “Got it.” The woman gave a brisk nod.


    Meanwhile, back on Freya’s end, she made a quick gesture, signaling Ashley to move their conversation to the living room—likely to avoid any hackers listening in through the phone. Ashley didn’t question it and followed her lead.


    Once there, before Freya could say a word, Ashley blurted, “I brought up Kristian because he’d have the skills to back up the story. That way, it’d sound more convincing. Don’t take it the wrong way.”


    “I know,” Freya replied coolly, a knowing look shing in her eyes.


    Ashley exhaled, relieved, then recalled something from the call. “Oh, right.”


    “What is it?”


    “He mentioned someone.”


    “Who?”


    Freya paused, her expression unreadable.


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