Chapter 281:
“Enter, please.” Kristian’s voice, ever composed, carried an unmistakable undertone of frostiness this time.
Gerard, sensing the subtle shift, took a deep, steadying breath and pushed the door open, documents clutched in his hand. “These are the documents requiring your signature today. Please review them at your leisure.”
“Just set them over there,” Kristian instructed, his tone detached. Gerard complied without hesitation, setting the documents neatly in the designated spot. “Understood.”
Though urgency gnawed at him, he was acutely aware that any pressure applied now could backfire spectacularly. Considering his own financial well-being—his salary, bonuses, and precious vacation time—he had thought it wise to defuse Kristian’s temper first.
“Mr. Shaw, are you still perturbed by the news I shared earlier today?” Initially, Gerard had planned a more cautious approach, but on reflection, chose to tackle the issue head-on.
Kristian, his thoughts tangled with Freya’s apparent disinterest, barely masked his distraction. “No.”
“Could it be…” Gerard ventured further.
“Do you not have more pressing matters to attend to?” Kristian interrupted.
“None that surpass the importance of addressing your concerns,” Gerard responded softly, his tone laced with concern.
Kristian shifted his gaze from the laptop screen to Gerard.
“If there’s nothing more, feel free to return to your tasks.” Kristian refrained from displaying his irritation openly, yet his features grew distinctly frosty. “Please, make sure to collect the documents at day’s end.”
Hearing this, Gerard found himself torn, uncertain whether to depart or linger a moment longer.
L𝗎tєѕτ ϲh𝒶ρτєrs ιn g𝓪l𝗇ovєl𝑆.𝒸оm
“Do you have anything else to say?” Kristian’s voice carried a trace of impatience, signaling his desire for a brief exchange.
Gerard stood motionless, rooted to the spot. Drawing on years of experience and his recent observations of Kristian’s mood swings, he concluded that only something related to Freya or Ashley could trigger such a response. Given that the mention of Ashley hadn’t disturbed Kristian, it was likely Freya who caused the upset.
“The investigation I initiated into Charlie has, thus far, turned up nothing,” Gerard ventured cautiously, scrutinizing Kristian’s face for any shift in emotion. “Might there be more specific details you could share that might aid the investigation?”
At this, Kristian’s expression turned icy and unreadable. His eyes narrowed as he delivered a chilling rebuke. “Cease your investigation; it’s no longer necessary.”
Confusion clouded Gerard’s mind. “From this moment forward, refrain from uttering Freya’s name in my presence, or discussing anything associated with her,” Kristian declared, his voice laden with fury, his feelings visibly agitated.
Gerard grasped the gravity of the situation instantly. “What about the divorce proceedings tomorrow?”
“Didn’t I explicitly instruct you to avoid that topic?” Kristian snapped back, his annoyance intensifying at the mere mention of divorce. He was baffled by Freya’s insistence on ending their marriage, especially after he had rectified his issues with Ashley and vowed to dedicate himself entirely to her. What was driving her relentless determination?
“While I’m not privy to the details of your fallout with Ms. Briggs,” Gerard began tentatively, his admiration for Freya making him cautious. “I’m inclined to think the blame might lie with you.”
Kristian fixed him with a piercing stare. Was Gerard daring to challenge him?
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