?Chapter 638:


    After one final nce at her, he turned and left with the man, the basement door swinging shut behind them.


    The sound echoed, heavy and jarring.


    Not long after, Ashley burst in, her face written with rm. “Why did you lock Freya in the basement?”


    “You feeling sorry for her?” Brendan lifted her chin with cold amusement. Ashley froze.


    She remembered—she and Freya weren’t supposed to be on friendly terms. In front of Brendan, any concern would be dangerous.


    “If you’re so worried she’s frightened, I could send you in to keep herpany.” His voice was soft, but it sent a shiver up her spine. “Do you want that?”


    Yes.


    The answer screamed in Ashley’s mind.


    But she couldn’t say it out loud.


    Freya had warned her—don’t give anything away and treat her like before.


    “N-no… that’s not necessary,” Ashley stammered, trembling.


    “You did well this time.” Brendan reached past her for a clean ss, poured some wine, and handed it to her. “Drink. Get some rest. There’s more work waiting for you tomorrow.”


    Ashley epted the ss with icy fingers and obediently took a sip.


    Brendan patted her head with an approving air.


    But Ashley shuddered beneath his touch.


    He was gentle, yes, but there was no warmth in his eyes.


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    “Go on up.” Ashley hesitated. She looked back a few times, but eventually climbed the stairs to the spare room she sometimes stayed in.


    Not long after she left, a striking woman strode in from outside, still wearing a motorcycle jacket—clearly just arrived from somewhere.


    Brendan reclined on the couch, every move dripping with ease and refinement. Upon seeing her, he set his wine ss aside. “Did K follow?”


    “I have no idea.” Natasha dropped herself onto the couch without ceremony.


    Brendan raised an eyebrow. “You don’t know?”


    “Her whereabouts aren’t something I can track.” She poured herself a ss of water. “I still haven’t cracked the virus she buried in myputer and serverst time.”


    A shadow passed through Brendan’s expression, his brows drawing in faintly.


    Natasha tilted her head, curious. “How can you be so sure my mentor wille?”


    “If she tampered with Ashley’s phone, she might already know I’m using Freya to threaten Kristian,” Brendan mused aloud. “And knowing her, she won’t pass up a chance like this.”


    “What kind of grudge do you have with my mentor, anyway?” Natasha genuinely wanted to know.


    “I tricked her once. Nearly got them all killed.” A faint smirk yed on Brendan’s lips. “But she managed to escape.”


    Natasha was at a loss.


    Then she added, “Well, you’re screwed. She never lets go of grudges.”


    “Whether she can get revenge is another story.” Brendan’s tone wasyered with implication.


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