?Chapter 618:


    “Nothing?”


    “Captain, aren’t you overthinking this?” Frederick tried to y it off. “If there’s nothing going on, then why did Freya ask Kristian for aptop before she left?” Ellis, ever the hawk, missed nothing.


    “She probably needed it to wrap up some light work,” Frederick offered weakly.


    “In that case, why would she buy a new one?” Ellis shot back without missing a beat.


    He knew how particr Freya was with electronics—and the one she brought back screamedst-minute grab.


    Frederick had nothing.


    Ellis kept casting sidelong nces at him, never saying much—but the silent pressure was excruciating. Eventually, Frederick couldn’t take it.


    He dialed Freya, using the first excuse that popped into his head. “Freya, can we switch cars? I’m really not used to our captain’s driving. I’m getting carsick.”


    Both Freya and Ellis fell into a speechless silence.


    “We’re almost there. Just hang in there.” Freya clearly had no interest in switching.


    “I can’t take it anymore, ugh!” Frederick groaned dramatically, adding a few fake gags for effect. “Freya… please… I’m begging you…”


    “Fine.”


    The moment Freya said the word, Frederick finally exhaled.


    Ellis looked at him sideways. “You coward.”


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    Frederick kept quiet. Cowardice didn’t matter. Escaping the car—and the interrogation—that’s what mattered. After tonight, he needed to vanish for a while and stay off Ellis’s radar.


    As those thoughts swirled, Trent’s car blinked its turn signal and pulled over.


    Frederick made his move. Just as he reached the front passenger door, Freya rolled down the window. “Sit in the back.”


    “You’re not going with Ellis?” he asked.


    She really didn’t want to. But if she stayed in Trent’s car, Ellis might overthink things.


    “Next time, even if you feel like throwing up—no switching cars.” She got out, bracing herself mentally. “Hold it in.”


    Frederick stared at her, wide-eyed. Wasn’t that a bit much?


    Freya didn’t even nce back. She walked toward the car behind them, calm andposed.


    As for theptop, she left it in Trent’s back seat.


    She opened the door, slid in, and clicked her seatbelt into ce when Ellis’s voice, low and deliberate, reached her. “Freya.”


    “I won’t meddle in your affairs.” Ellis turned to look at her, his eyes steadier than usual. “But if there’s danger, I don’t want you hiding it from me.”


    “I won’t,” Freya said smoothly, her voice calm as ever.


    Ellis shot her a few sidelong nces, clearly suspicious, before finally starting the car and pulling out behind her. He wasn’t fooled—he knew damn well Freya was hiding something from him.


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