Chapter 164:
He had returned specifically to witness the unfolding drama. “After we’re done here, I’ll bring you back.”
Freya’s instincts screamed that this was a trap.
Despite her desire to leave, she found herself tethered to the moment, compelled to engage in the conversation.
Isolated in this remote spot, the option of hailing a cab was a distant dream.
Time trickled by slowly, and about twenty minutes later, the tranquility was shattered by the arrival of a car. Its headlights pierced the darkness, blazing so intensely that the assembled group had to shield their eyes.
Out of the vehicle stepped a man who seemed to command the night itself. With long strides, he approached, his presence almost tangible. The long coat he wore billowed around his legs, adding to his formidable aura.
“Liam, Kristian is here,” someone announced, a note of tension in their voice.
“Why does it seem like he’s not in the best mood?”
“He looks absolutely livid.”
Liam smirked, an air of satisfaction evident as he crossed his legs casually.
He had orchestrated this meeting with meticulous care, maintaining a relaxed demeanor as he instructed, “Make sure to compliment my sister-in-law when he comes over. He likes hearing that.”
“Aren’t they getting divorced?” one of them queried, confusion lacing his tone.
Liam’s voice carried a sharp edge as he challenged, “Would you really want people to whisper that you married a worthless woman, only to divorce her later?”
The gathered group fell into a sudden, contemplative silence. It dawned on them then—not only were they vested in maintaining a pristine reputation, but Kristian seemed equally concerned.
𝓐𝓵𝔀𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓬𝓴 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓬𝓮 𝓪𝓽 𝗀ⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗲𝗅𝗌﹒𝗰𝗼𝗺
Driven to get on Kristian’s good side, they unanimously decided to shower Freya with praise.
As Kristian strode toward them, his eyes caught sight of Freya engrossed in a phone conversation, her figure poised and graceful. Nearby, Liam was deep in conversation with a gathering of young men. Surveying the scene, Kristian dismissively concluded that Freya wouldn’t spare these fellows a second glance.
The group greeted Kristian enthusiastically.
“You got here faster than I expected,” Liam noted, his tone casual yet probing.
Kristian’s icy gaze swept across the faces before him, his expression unreadable and frosty. His eyes finally rested on Freya, who was still tangled in her phone call.
The group, perceptive of his sharp gaze, exchanged knowing looks before they began lavishing Freya with compliments.
“Mr. Shaw, your wife is absolutely stunning. Why haven’t we seen her at these gatherings before?”
“That’s right.”
“Liam mentioned his sister-in-law was gorgeous, but we thought he was just exaggerating.”
“Mr. Shaw, are you seriously going through with divorcing her?”
One after another, they voiced their thoughts with conviction.
Kristian’s gaze darkened, his eyes narrowing slightly as he interpreted the curious glances around him. They seemed to be waiting eagerly for him to announce a divorce, as if Freya was a prize to be claimed the moment he was out of the picture.
“Looks like you’ve got too much free time,” Kristian stated, his voice laced with a cold edge. “Why not focus on your projects instead of lingering here?”
.
.
.