Chapter 468:
This realization ignited Hugh’s indignation.
“I’ve decided!” Hugh asserted with unprecedented seriousness. “I must publicly disclose your identity to prevent any misinterpretations.”
“I fully support making your identity known,” Alan chimed in, reinforcing Hugh’s position.
Freya had consistently maintained a low profile, never formally introduced to the public sphere.
Even during Briggs Group’s annual gatherings, Ethel had always served as the family representative.
“That won’t be necessary,” Freya countered, preferring her anonymity. “The current arrangement suits me perfectly—allowing freedom of movement without excessive scrutiny.”
Once her identity became public knowledge, countless responsibilities would demand her attention.
She harbored a distinct aversion to meaningless social engagements and frivolous gossip. Above all, she detested becoming a subject of public discourse.
If Hugh revealed her identity now, media outlets would fabricate numerous narratives based on unfounded assumptions—questioning why Ethel maintained a public presence while Freya remained hidden, or worse, speculating whether Freya might be an illegitimate child concealed for decades.
Freya wanted no part in such scenarios.
“Alan, I need to prepare for Lionel’s birthday celebration with my dad,” Freya informed Alan, clearly signaling the conversation’s conclusion.
“I must go now.”
gⱯ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘀.𝗰0𝗆; 𝓒𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝗍𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝒶𝓈𝑜𝓃
“Alright,” Alan replied, his tone reflecting his inner conflict.
After disconnecting the call, Freya set her phone aside and resumed eating her fruit, treating the preceding conversation as though it had been entirely unremarkable.
Hugh observed her with a sense of guilt, wondering if he had failed to provide Freya with adequate support throughout the years.
“Mina.”
“Yes?” Freya looked up at him expectantly.
Knowing Hugh disliked oranges, she hadn’t prepared any for him.
Seated across from her on the sofa, Hugh reflected on their history before asking thoughtfully, “If you could begin again, would you choose to make your identity public from the start?”
If Freya had been publicly recognized as Hugh’s daughter from the very beginning, she and Kristian might never have had a reason to cross paths—or at the very least, things wouldn’t have ended up like this. Even if Kristian had wanted to make a move, he’d have had to weigh the alliance between their families and all the other complications that came with it.
That thought alone left a tangled mess of emotions churning in Hugh’s chest.
“No, I wouldn’t have,” Freya replied, her voice steady and resolute.
Hugh turned his gaze toward her.
She could see straight through him and went on, “Even if I’d been known as your daughter from the start, it wouldn’t have stopped Kristian from filing for divorce. That outcome would’ve stayed the same.”
Kristian, like her, already had everything. Even if he had known who she really was, he still would’ve ended the marriage the moment he’d made up his mind.
.
.
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