Chapter 174:
In the tense silence, Liam looked on with a troubled expression, reflecting on Kristian’s reckless actions that had wounded Freya so deeply.
“Ashley, out with it!” Kristian exclaimed, his voice deeper, edged with frustration.
Ashley hesitated, her resolve flickering. Finally, she murmured, “I saw Freya lean across to the driver’s seat, her lips seeking Liam’s, her hand clasping his neck… and what followed was even more intimate.” Her voice trailed off, heavy with implication.
“What were those intimate things?” Kristian inquired, his voice dropping to an unprecedented depth, his eyes swirling with barely contained emotions.
Ashley positioned herself against the hospital bed, her recently freed hand from the IV drip clenching slightly. “Kristian, I witnessed him sliding his hand inside Freya’s blouse.”
“Impressive!” Liam exclaimed spontaneously.
Freya glanced his way, her anger momentarily dissolving into amusement at his unexpected comment.
“Why not simply declare we had sex right there in the car?” Liam countered with biting sarcasm. “Your talent for fabricating stories truly stands unrivaled.”
“Liam!” Kristian thundered.
Liam curved his lips into a deliberate smile, recalling Freya’s reaction as he responded, “What? Did you actually believe it?”
Kristian remained wordless, observing Liam defend Freya, which caused an inexplicable constriction in his chest.
“Kristian, they might have simply been caught up in the moment.” Ashley tugged gently at his sleeve, concern flooding her beautiful eyes. “She might harbor resentment about our relationship, explaining her behavior.”
𝓵α𝓽𝓔𝓼𝓉 с𝖍𝖆ρ𝗍𝓮𝗋𝓈 𝗀α𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝖑𝘀﹒ⅽ𝗈𝗆
Ashley added softly, “Don’t hold it against her.”
Freya and Liam maintained their silence, standing motionless as they awaited Kristian’s verdict.
Kristian’s hands tightened at his sides before he finally asked in a strained voice, “Are you absolutely certain about what you saw?”
“Yes,” Ashley confirmed with a nod.
“Is there any possibility you misinterpreted the situation?” Kristian pressed.
“No,” Ashley stated with unwavering conviction.
Kristian stood immobile for an extended moment, utterly silent. The other three could not begin to decipher his thoughts during this weighted pause.
“Kristian, since you’re planning to divorce your wife for this woman, why prevent us from being together?” Liam interjected provocatively. “I would treat her with more consideration than you ever did, and Grandpa wouldn’t raise objections.”
“Silence!” Kristian commanded, his tone glacial.
Ashley experienced a wave of relief. Liam had unwittingly incriminated himself, leaving Freya without a credible defense. It seemed her strategy had succeeded.
Kristian’s gaze shifted to the silent Freya, his emotions tangled in complexity. “Won’t you offer an explanation?”
“Is there truly any purpose?” Freya responded, exhaustion evident in her demeanor.
“Freya!”
“If I maintain there’s nothing between Liam and me, and today’s incident resulted from Ashley deliberately rushing into harm’s way, will you accept my word?” Freya challenged, meeting his gaze directly. An oppressive silence descended upon the room.
.
.
.