?Chapter 777:


    Which meant—for now—his theory was still just that: a theory. And a theory wasn’t enough to go to Freya.


    With that thought, Ellis nced at Kristian one more time, then headed to the kitchen to make supper.


    The whole time, Kristian stayed quiet. Not a word slipped. He stayed sharp. He knew even the smallest slip-up could cost him everything.


    He was in unfamiliar territory, so he couldn’t risk dropping his guard for even a moment—Freya might see through him. He had to keep up the act.


    Half an hourter, Ellis served up a te of spaghetti that looked like it came straight from a five-star restaurant. Just as Kristian took his first bite, Freya walked in.


    “Freya!” Kristian’s eyes lit up. But then, remembering something, his joy flickered out. He nced at Ellis with wary eyes, then quietly picked up his fork.


    The transition was so smooth. It even caught Ellis off guard.


    Freya noticed it instantly. She’d expected a cheerful greeting, but Kristian had suddenly gone quiet, stealing nervous nces at Ellis. Had something gone wrong while she was gone?


    “Sorry for the trouble, Captain,” she said softly, dressed in cozy pajamas, her damp hair cascading over her shoulders.


    Ellis offered a small, easy smile. “Since when did we start being so formal?”


    Freya paused, unsure how to respond.


    While Kristian ate, he kept ncing at her, like there was something he wanted to say but couldn’t.


    Every look, every movement—crafted just for her.


    By the time he finished his spaghetti, Freya’s instincts were on high alert. Something didn’t feel right. It seemed Kristian looked genuinely afraid of Ellis.


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    “What did you two talk about just now?” she asked.


    “Nothing major,” Ellis replied, noticing Kristian’s subtle theatrics but not thinking much of them. “I told him to sit on the sofa, then went to cook.”


    Freya looked at Kristian.


    He hesitated, darted another wary nce at Ellis, and lowered his gaze in silence. “Mm.”


    Freya frowned. What in the world was going on here? Had the two of them argued behind her back?


    “Mister, I’m done,” Kristian said, putting down his fork with exaggerated politeness. “Thanks.”


    Ellis stared, momentarily speechless. This guy was reallyying it on thick.


    Freya blinked, even more confused now.


    Kristian was so well-behaved before Ellis? Kristian picked up his te and fork, then trotted off to wash them like the most well-behaved child in the world.


    While he was busy, Freya turned to Ellis, unable to hold back her concern. Kristian had been acting way too strange. “What did you really talk about? He seemspletely different.”


    “He’s changed,” Ellis replied carefully, keeping it vague. He didn’t want to speak too soon—not without proof. “But not in the way you think.”


    Freya was utterly at sea. “What are you talking about?”


    Ellis offered only a cryptic smile. “Keep your eyes peeledter—you’ll understand.” Without missing a beat, he shifted the conversation. “Let me take over watching him for the next few days.”


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