Chapter 292:
“Why do you obey him so completely?” Freya’s voice held a touch of confusion.
“I don’t have a choice,” Ashley replied, her bitter smile reflecting the helplessness she felt. “He controls every part of my life. Everything I do, everything I am—it’s all in his hands.”
Freya looked puzzled. Weren’t they living in a world where law and justice should have the final say?
Ashley took out her phone and scrolled to a picture, handing it over to Freya.
“This is my grandma and my younger brother,” she said.
After Freya glanced at the photo, Ashley continued, her words tinged with sorrow. “They’re being cared for by that man’s subordinate. I’ve always done as I’m told, and in return, he’s promised to look after them. My parents are gone, my grandma has dementia, and my brother’s still in high school. It’s been two years since I’ve seen them. Now, it’s just phone calls and video chats. They think the person taking care of them is a housekeeper I hired.”
Freya furrowed her brow, her mind racing.
Ashley’s voice softened as memories of the past resurfaced. “When I was with Kristian, my grandma was very ill. I was struggling. My career wasn’t going anywhere, and I had no money. I tried hinting that I needed help with my career, but whether he didn’t understand or didn’t care, after months of waiting for him to step in, I finally left.”
“You could’ve been straightforward with him,” Freya said calmly. “He would have helped.”
“I was young,” Ashley admitted, her tone laced with regret. “I didn’t understand the world yet. I was too proud to ask for help. And I thought… I thought he would offer without me having to ask. But when we broke up, just two days later, that man approached me. He promised easy money if I helped him. I agreed, and that’s when everything went wrong.”
“Does that man have a personal vendetta against Kristian?” Freya asked, connecting the dots.
Check full story at g𝗔𝗅𝓝ον𝖊𝗅𝔰. ⓒ𝗈𝗺
Ashley blinked in surprise. “How… how did you know?”
“He’s using you to marry Kristian in order to steal Shaw Group’s business secrets, isn’t he?” Freya said, a sharp edge to her voice. If the plan had been to harm Kristian, there would’ve been more direct methods.
Ashley’s jaw dropped, stunned by how accurately Freya had pieced everything together.
“You…” she started, but no words came.
“I won’t report this to the police,” Freya said firmly, cutting the conversation short. “But if something like this happens again, I won’t hesitate to act.”
“Thank you…” Ashley’s relief was palpable. It felt like a heavy burden had been lifted from her heart.
She knew there was unlikely to be a next time.
Returning with a failed task would probably mean a life spent trapped in that basement, forever.
“Take out your phone and call the police,” Freya said, her tone still measured.
“Didn’t you just say you wouldn’t report it?” Ashley asked, confused.
“I’m not calling about your involvement,” Freya clarified. “I want the police to arrest the two people in the warehouse.”
“But…” Ashley hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
“If they accuse you, I’ll vouch for you,” Freya said, offering reassurance. With a deep breath, Ashley did as instructed, dialing the police with newfound confidence.
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