Chapter 184:
His enthusiasm for shaking things up was palpable. After snatching up his car keys, he threw a quick goodbye to the group and strode out of the villa.
The gathering tonight was no casual affair; it was a calculated maneuver specifically designed for Kristian—to push him into action. Without using Trent as a catalyst, Kristian and Freya’s marriage might crumble into divorce, a scenario Liam desperately wanted to avoid, especially the relentless pestering from Kristian begging for help to win Freya back.
As he drove toward Freya’s place, Liam made nonchalant calls to both Kristian and Trent. He wasn’t particularly close to Trent, but that minor detail wasn’t enough to deter him from using him as bait to draw Freya out. By 7:30 PM, Liam pulled up to the villa, Freya reluctantly in tow.
Before she could voice her concerns, he quickly interjected, “We’re avoiding the usual spots—bars, nightclubs—they’re just too visible. So, I thought here would be perfect,” he explained, gesturing to the largely vacant villa. “It’s discreet, and besides, it’s almost empty.”
“I see,” Freya responded evenly, her tone giving away nothing else. Attending these gatherings in Alerith had become a tiresome routine for her. Each event felt identical, with Frederick and the others invariably pulling her into their circle, where she often ended up relegated to a quiet corner, reluctantly participating in whatever games were on offer.
Upon her arrival, only Felipe and Zander were present. A flicker of suspicion crossed her face as she scanned the room. “Is Kristian coming too?”
“Indeed,” Liam answered, his response swift and certain.
A wave of resignation washed over Freya.
“He’ll be here any minute now, and Trent’s still making his way over,” he added, gesturing toward the spread of fruits and snacks. “Help yourself if you’re hungry or thirsty. We’ll start the games once everyone’s here.”
𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐭 𝔤𝖺𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀[.]𝖼𝗈𝗆
“I’m not participating. I’ll just watch from the sidelines,” Freya stated firmly, folding her arms.
They lingered a bit longer before Trent pulled up in his car, his presence almost cinematic, dressed in a sleek charcoal suit that complemented his stylish gold-rimmed glasses.
With a charismatic smile, he made his way over and took a seat next to Freya, engaging her in a light, effortless chat.
Liam watched the unfolding interactions with a knowing smirk.
At the same time, Felipe grabbed his phone and shot a message to Kristian. “If you don’t show up soon, your wife might just end up with Trent, all thanks to Liam.”
Kristian’s phone lit up with a message while he drove.
Upon reading it, his expression darkened as he pressed the accelerator, speeding toward a suburban villa.
When he arrived, Felipe and Zander were immersed in a mobile game, while Liam darted about restlessly.
Only Freya and Trent sat together, engaged in conversation.
Though nothing about their distance or dialogue seemed unusual, the mere sight of them together disturbed Kristian deeply, stirring an urge to separate them.
“Finally decided to grace us with your presence,” Liam teased, setting a wine bottle on the table and tugging Kristian forward. “We’ve been stuck waiting for over half an hour.”
Kristian remained frosty as Liam pulled him down to sit.
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