?Chapter 863:


    Gerard froze. He’d assumed that with Kristian’s memory loss, he could afford to loosen up a little. What he hadn’t counted on was Kristian still having sharp instincts—and ess to all the facts.


    “That won’t be necessary.” He let out a slow breath, realizing there was no way to cover it up now. “Did you need something from me?”


    “You’ve got onest chance. Make sure you’re in Alerith before 5 PM.”


    Kristian’s tone was steady, the kind that didn’t invite argument. “If you handle tonight properly, I’ll let this slide. But if you mess it up, we’ll be revisiting everything.”


    “What exactly am I supposed to do?” Gerard’s voice was tight.


    Kristian kept his cool. “I’ll exin once you get here.”


    Gerard blinked, caughtpletely off guard. He opened his mouth to respond, but the line had already gone dead.


    Not daring to waste another second, he handed the phone back to his father, pulled up the nearest flight, and started packing with urgency.


    By the time the clock struck five, he had reached Alerith right on time. Once he updated Kristian about his arrival, he was immediately given instructions for the evening.


    After hearing what was expected of him, Gerard hesitated. “Are you serious about this?”


    “Aren’t you worried she’ll turn you down?”


    Kristian rolled his eyes. Did his assistant even realize how tactless he sounded?


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    Gerard wasn’t worried about losing a bonus or getting scolded. He just said what he believed, “Ms. Briggs isn’t thinking about romance right now. If you pull a public love deration stunt, you’ll only end up humiliating yourself.”


    He was well aware that speaking up like that wouldnd him in trouble.


    But telling Freya how he felt just like that? Had Kristianpletely lost his grip?


    “That’s none of your business.” Kristian didn’t hide his irritation with Gerard’s attitude. “Just follow the n.”


    Gerard was at a loss for words. He couldn’t make sense of Kristian’s choices, but saying no wasn’t an option. He could only hope he wouldn’t be med if things blew up.


    By six that evening, Freya brought Kristian along to meet up with her friends.


    Before the two of them arrived, Frederick and Ellis were already seated in the private room, where the lighting gave off a warm, rxed vibe.


    Even though Ellis made him a little uneasy, Frederick pushed through his nerves and tried to get the conversation rolling. “So, Captain, how are things going with Freya? Did meeting your folks go okay?”


    “It did.” Ellis swirled his drink, his fingers long and precise.


    “And the two of you?”


    “Still the same.”


    Frederick, Trent, and Greta were eager with questions.


    Greta blinked, surprised. “You’re kidding, right?”


    “Not at all. She’s not looking for anything romantic right now, and honestly, she’s a bit oblivious when ites to feelings,” Ellis said inly. “So we haven’t made any real progress.”


    “Better move fast before Kristian swoops in,” warned Greta, dead serious.


    Ellis didn’t say a word. His gaze dropped, thoughtful and unreadable. He remembered what Freya told him—Kristian’s mind had progressed to that of a seventeen-year-old. Honestly, he assumed the guy would just keep up the act of being five.


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