Chapter 172:
Liam raised an eyebrow, intrigued but unfazed. “I really don’t.”
“I’m Kristian’s future wife,” Ashley declared loudly, intending to intimidate. “Should I choose to escalate this, he could sue you, potentially ruining your life.”
Liam shot her a sardonic smile. “Then let him sue me.”
Ashley was furious.
Liam leaned back in his chair, a relaxed grin spreading across his face. “I wouldn’t mind getting a taste of prison life,” he quipped.
Ashley’s eyes narrowed, her voice sharp as a blade. “Don’t think I won’t dare.”
“What wouldn’t you dare?” Liam scoffed, tilting his head slightly. “After all, your future husband is Kristian Shaw.” With a light chuckle, Liam’s eyes twinkled mischievously. “A titan of industry, a veritable prodigy among his peers. If he wants to destroy someone, all he has to do is snap his fingers.”
Ashley furrowed her brows, caught off guard, unsure whether the man in front of her was genuinely intimidated or simply mocking her.
“But…” Liam continued, his tone shifting as he rose from his chair.
“But what?” Ashley pressed, her gaze fixed on him.
Liam’s smile widened, his stance relaxed yet confident. “But his choice in partners seems questionable,” he drawled, hands buried deep in his pockets as he took a step closer. “Otherwise, why on earth would he choose you over my truly exceptional sister-in-law?”
Just as Ashley’s temper flared, the words “sister-in-law” echoed in her mind, halting her retort. Could it be that the man seen with Freya was…?
“I forgot to introduce myself,” Liam said smoothly, a playful smirk curling his lips. “I’m Liam Shaw, Kristian’s younger brother.”
Lɑtєst chαptєrs 𝑖n g𝒶l𝑛ovє𝓁ѕ.с𝓸m
He stressed the word “brother,” a sly glint in his eye.
Ashley’s eyes widened in horror, her face draining of color as if she had seen a ghost. If this man was truly Kristian’s brother, then all her reckless antics on the road and her earlier remarks…
Damn it! Kristian couldn’t find out about this—no matter what.
“Kristian is already on his way here,” Liam remarked, his voice laced with mischief, his eyes sparkling with the anticipation of drama. “When he shows up, maybe you’d be kind enough to explain your so-called accident and your desperate desire to see me rot in prison.”
“You…” Ashley’s mind reeled, words failing her as panic set in.
With exaggerated courtesy, Liam pulled over a chair for Freya. “Please, Freya, take a seat.”
Freya, taken aback, could only nod mutely.
The next half hour passed with Liam talking to Freya, while Ashley remained on the hospital bed, eavesdropping on their discussion. During those moments, Ashley mentally mapped out how to explain everything to Kristian, her excuses already lined up.
Around eleven o’clock, Kristian burst through the door.
His clothes were crumpled and worn, a testament to his haste. He was slightly out of breath, his eyes scanning the room with palpable anxiety.
Noticing Freya, Kristian’s brows knitted together in a brief frown of confusion, but he brushed past her, his focus fixed solely on Ashley. “Ashley,” he called out.
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