?Chapter 822:


    “And the money?”


    “What?”


    “You mentioned giving them some funds?”


    Hugh cleared his throat softly, a little sheepish now. Was Ethel trying to keep tabs on him?


    But surely, that wasn’t it. After all, he’d earned that money. If he chose to part with a portion, especially for people he wished to keep at arm’s length, that was his prerogative.


    “Yes—two hundred million,” he admitted. He had calcted it carefully—enough to livefortably, so long as they didn’t drown it in gold and glitter.


    Ethel considered his words but chose not to press further.


    Freya, for her part, stayed silent and unbothered. The matter of the money or the house didn’t stir her.


    “I’vee to a decision,” Hugh dered solemnly, his eyes warming as theynded on his daughters. “I will stay single and watch you both walk down the aisle. As long as you’re happy, that’s all I need.”


    “Don’t take that backter,” Ethel teased, half-grinning.


    Hugh’s voice was steady now, filled with certainty. “I won’t. You have my word.”


    “I’m not nning to marry anytime soon,” Freya stated clearly, cutting off any future attempts to meddle. “Even if someone dazzlinges along, don’t try ying matchmaker.”


    “But…”


    “Mina…”


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    Both Hugh and Ethel were momentarily taken aback.


    “Is it because you still have lingering feelings for Kristian?” Hugh asked, the concern in in his voice.


    It seemed usible. After all, heartbreak carved deeper wounds than divorce. And though a few months had passed, even the most emotionally disciplined would still feel the sting.


    “It’s not that,” Freya answered, her voice calm as a still pond. “I just don’t believe in marrying for the sake of ticking a box. I refuse to settle. Marriage should be sacred—a union of joy and reverence.”


    She had already turned the page on Kristian.


    From the first call of Ashley, she had begun reshaping her heart. By the time the divorce papers were signed, the process was nearlyplete.


    Though it was abrupt, jarring even, she had found her footing.


    Now, it was behind her.


    Ethel leaned in, poking her gently. “With that mindset, I don’t want to marry either. How about the two of us stick together and grow old hand in hand?”


    “dly.” Freya saw right through the mischief in her sister’s words.


    “But what about your charming Jarrett?”


    Ethel froze.


    A slip of the tongue—how careless!


    She nced at Freya, silently begging for rescue, her expression one of pure panic.


    Freya was briefly puzzled before catching on. Before she could speak, Hugh’s voice, curious and sharp, cut through the moment. “Jarrett? Who’s that? You have a boyfriend?”


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