?Chapter 778:


    Kristian’s decision not to tell the truth stemmed from the fact that the charade wasn’t meant to be a long-running show. But if it dragged on, the mask might start to slip.


    “No need,” Freya replied, brushing it off with ease. “Things are quiet for me at the moment, and his family is due to visit soon. I need to take him with me anyway.”


    “Listen, Freya.”


    “Watch closely. The devil’s in the details.” Freya faltered for a beat, puzzled.


    Still, she didn’t pry. If Ellis had spoken, there had to be weight behind it. She gave a quiet nod.


    “Mister, I’ve finished doing the dishes,” Kristian said, approaching with visible nerves, his every movementced with caution. His lips were pressed thin as if holding something back. “Can I go home with Freya?”


    “You may,” Ellis answered simply, choosing silence over confrontation. He rose to his feet. He watched Kristian’s disy with cool detachment, hand half-lifted to offer a reassuring pat on the shoulder. Then something unexpected shattered the moment.


    As his hand moved, Kristian suddenly ducked, dropping into a crouch and clutching his head tightly.


    His voice broke, shaking with dread. “Please don’t hit me! I’ll do whatever you want!” Ellis stood dumbfounded.


    Freya was just as startled.


    They froze—statues caught in a moment neither could exin.


    Ellis had spent years in covert operations, danced with liars and maniptors, outwitted more than his fair share. But nothing in his experience prepared him for someone like Kristian. It was as though he hadid hands on Kristian only moments ago.


    Freya blinked in disbelief.


    She knew Ellis. He could be sharp-tongued, yes, but not violent. And with Kristian’s mind trapped in a five-year-old’s world, it was hard to imagine him fabricating such a tale for revenge. So, what in the world was this?


    “He wasn’t going to hit you,” Freya said softly, helping Kristian to his feet. “Why are you so afraid?”


    “Freya…” Kristian’s voice was a fragile thread. “Did he hit you?” she asked gently.


    “No,” Kristian murmured, shaking his head.


    He couldn’t lie—cameras recorded everything. One false im and Ellis could clear his name in a heartbeat. Lying about something like that was pointless.


    “Then why did you react like that?” Freya asked, her brows drawn together. “And those things you said?”


    Kristian nced at Ellis, nerves eating away at hisposure. He dropped his gaze and said nothing more.


    As though to seal his performance, he added a few more perfectly timed gestures. It was seamless. An act worthy of the silver screen.


    Freya turned to Ellis. “Captain,” she began, not in usation but in quiet search for the truth. “What happened between you two after I left?”


    “I’ve told you everything I know,” Ellis answered without embellishment. “If anything else is going on, it’s something he hasn’t shared with me.”


    But Freya didn’t quite buy it.


    She felt it in her bones—there was a story tucked between the lines.


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