?Chapter 754:


    By the end, it was unmistakable that Kristian’s mind was no longer that of a five-year-old.


    “That’s basically how everything happened,” Gerard said carefully, choosing his words with precision, his heart still pounding wildly. “If you want to know more about anything, feel free to ask.”


    Kristian kept his gaze lowered.


    Now he realized the kind of rtionship he and Freya had.


    “Mr. Shaw?” Gerard called hesitantly.


    “You just said I got hurt saving Freya,” Kristian looked up, every shred of emotion wiped from his face. “Is that true?”


    “Yes, it is,” Gerard answered without hiding anything. “But I don’t know the exact details. Dr. Hayes probably would.”


    Kristian stood up. “Got it.”


    Gerard blinked, utterly confused. What was happening? Why did it feel like Kristian’s whole presence had shifted again?


    “Gerard.” Kristian’s eyes pinned him with a look that was utterly devoid of innocence.


    A chill ran down Gerard’s spine, making him feel dangerously exposed.


    “Yes, Mr. Shaw.”


    There was something very wrong.


    “I don’t know what kind of temper I had before,” Kristian said, a faint, wicked smile curving his lips, “but if you ever betray me and tell Freya what we talked about, you’ll pay dearly.”


    “I… I…” Gerard stammered, panic setting in. Why did Kristian’s smile send such a cold, bone-deep shiver down his spine? And even more chilling, he was nothing like the cold, indifferent man from the past. He seemed pleasant on the surface, but there was a real sense of danger lurking underneath.


    “If I’m not mistaken, Freya probably asked you to tell her everything we discussed today, didn’t she?” Kristian leaned in slightly, narrowing the gap between them.


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    Gerard, who had always prided himself on being a good actor, shook his head furiously. “No, she didn’t.”


    “Really?”


    “Yes.”


    “Then send her a message right now and tell her I’m done talking with you.”


    “Do it.” The words crackled with undeniable authority.


    No matter howposed Gerard usually was, he couldn’t hide his nervousness now. “She is probably busy right now. It wouldn’t be good to disturb her.”


    “Have you forgotten who’s paying you?” Kristian arched a brow, his tone dripping with pressure.


    Gerard was trapped, stuck between a rock and a hard ce. Somebody—anybody—save him!


    In the end, Gerard found himself cornered by Kristian’s relentless insistence. With a heavy sigh, he finally relented and sent the message to Freya, his reluctance palpable in every tap of the screen.


    Freya was midway through her lunch when the notification buzzed. She considered calling but quickly reconsidered, suspecting Kristian might be looming over Gerard. Instead, she tapped out a cautious reply. “What was your conversation about?”


    The message pinged on their end, and both Gerard and Kristian read it immediately.


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