?Chapter 647:


    “I didn’t take it. I essed it remotely,” Natasha replied quickly.


    Freya let her anger show—believable, but measured. She already knew Natasha could tap into her phone because she’d given her that ess herself.


    If she hadn’t, Natasha’s sharp instincts would’ve sniffed out the truth that Freya was K.


    Ashley stood off to the side, quietly stunned by Freya’s performance. Despite her skills, she waspletely convincing as someone vulnerable.


    “Ashley.” Brendan’s voice cut through the tension.


    Ashley flinched, still scared of him. “What?”


    “Your grandma and your brother are in my hands. Tell me where K is, and I’ll release them. Refuse, and they die,” Brendan said coolly.


    Ashley’s first instinct was to look at Freya, but she stopped herself. If she so much as nced at her, Brendan would know something was off.


    Freya also tensed up, though her expression stayed calm and detached.


    She was ready to act the second it became necessary. Thankfully, Ashley held firm.


    “I don’t know anything about this K person,” Ashley said, eyes wide with panic. “Still lying?”


    “I’m not!”


    Brendan leaned in, his hand gently cupping her cheek, the touch so soft it made her tremble. “You haven’t changed in two years. Still stubborn as ever.”


    Ashley’s chest tightened.


    Right in front of her, Brendan made a call. “Kill the old woman.”


    “No!” Ashley lunged for his phone, her voice cracking.


    But he’d already hung up. His cold eyes cut into her like ice. “Disobedient pets are easily dealt with. Got it?”


    Your favorite tales live at g?lnσν????s．??????


    Tears welled up in Ashley’s eyes. She wanted to rip him apart, but she couldn’t risk it—not when her brother’s life was still at stake.


    “If you don’t talk, your brother will be next,” Brendan said softly, his calm tone only making the threat more terrifying.


    Ashley broke. Tears streamed down her face. “I really don’t know!” Then a notification dinged.


    Brendan’s phone lit up.


    Ashley’s heart stopped.


    And then she saw it—a photo that made her blood run cold.


    Her eyes locked on the image: an elderly woman, shot in the heart. She froze, her mind nk.


    Grandma…


    “What did you do to her?!” Ashley screamed, grabbing his phone, wing at his cor. “What did you do?”


    Brendan said nothing. He simply stared at her, eyes devoid of warmth, his gaze sharp enough to chill her to the bone.


    Ashley trembled. She didn’t know what to do.


    Freya had promised she could be trusted—but now her grandma was dead. What was she supposed to do now?


    Freya had also seen the photo.


    It looked real, but not real enough. A gunshot wound wouldn’t look like that. The scene was staged. She was sure of it—Ashley’s grandma and brother were safe.


    .


    .


    .