Chapter 170:
The optimal strategy to get rid of the baby involved using Freya to achieve her objective, simultaneously resolving two problems. Freya displayed no emotional response, her emotional batteries too drained even for anger.
She knew Kristian would believe Ashley. He had dismissed previous evidence as fabricated, so he would undoubtedly consider the dashboard footage manipulated as well.
“Didn’t you fear the vehicle might not stop, potentially killing or permanently disabling you?” Freya inquired dispassionately.
“Death would ensure Kristian remembers me eternally. Disability would guarantee his heightened devotion,” Ashley declared feverishly. “Either outcome justifies the risk.”
Her circumstances had deteriorated to the point where losing Kristian meant condemning herself to torment. That horrible man would never release her; he would inflict continuous suffering, rendering existence unbearable.
Kristian represented her final salvation. She would cling to him regardless of the cost!
“Then hold fast to him,” Freya advised coldly. “Prevent anyone from taking him away.”
“You cannot take him away from me!” Ashley countered instantly.
Freya regarded her with unmistakable pity.
Such a desperate existence truly embodied misery.
She revealed a new insight, her tone maintaining its calm while emotion tinged her final words. “Who suggested I wanted him?”
“What are you implying?” Ashley narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
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“Your car accident, your hotel incident,” Freya began methodically, as she had anticipated this conversation. “If someone isn’t specifically targeting you, how do you explain these occurrences?”
The incident when she was attacked also troubled her thoughts. She had instructed Frederick to investigate, but the findings diverged significantly from her expectations.
Whoever orchestrated these events remained expertly concealed. Since identifying the culprit proved impossible, perhaps sharing her suspicions with Ashley might prompt Kristian to launch his own investigation.
A single accident befalling Ashley could reasonably be attributed to Kristian’s enemies seeking retribution. However, the pattern revealed something more calculated—Ashley experiencing an accident that implicated Freya, followed by Freya’s accident involving Ashley. This sequence pointed unmistakably toward someone harboring deep admiration for Kristian.
“Have you identified the perpetrator?” Ashley’s brow creased with concern.
“I haven’t,” Freya acknowledged, hoping Kristian’s resources might yield better results, her voice betraying subtle emotion. “Perhaps Kristian could assist you with the investigation.” The irony struck her forcefully.
She found herself actually directing Ashley to seek Kristian’s help. Ashley paused momentarily, studying Freya’s expression with careful scrutiny.
She accepted the truthfulness of Freya’s assessment.
From their initial hospital encounter, she had recognized that Freya bore no responsibility for the car incident. Despite her dislike for Freya, their subsequent interactions had shifted her perspective.
Interactions had convinced her that Freya valued honesty too highly to resort to deception.
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