Chapter 564:
“Uncle Hugh,” Alan replied with the breezy ease of someone delivering weather updates. “He’s already made up his mind—you’re it.”
Freya’s brows tightened in disbelief. Hadn’t she already made it clear that the company wasn’t in her plans? “Aren’t you managing it just fine?”
“Everyone deserves to live life how they want,” Alan’s voice carried an edge of sincerity. “Think about it—how long have I been steering this ship for you? Don’t I deserve a shot at a normal life? To date someone? Maybe even get married?”
Freya replied, her tone firm, “It’s not like there’s much to manage anyway.”
“If you show up to tomorrow’s team-building retreat, I might stick around for another year.”
Freya said nothing.
“Come if you feel like it.”
“Understood.”
She ended the call, realizing she was left with no real choice but to go to the retreat this time.
What she didn’t know was that, moments after the call, Alan turned to the people with him.
He was sitting with Ethel and Hugh.
“Mina said she’ll join the corporate retreat tomorrow.” He let out a slow breath, a flicker of relief passing through him. Ethel lit up with a smile. “Alan, you’re amazing!”
Hugh asked, “She didn’t sound upset, did she?”
“Not really,” Alan replied, sounding a bit uncertain. “She seemed calm. But she might corner you later to ask about this whole company handover.”
𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚: gⲁ𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝘴⍰ⅽ𝗈𝗺
“That’s fine,” Hugh didn’t seem bothered in the least.
“Mina doesn’t care for big groups,” Ethel noted. “Tomorrow, don’t pair her with anyone outside her usual circle.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got it handled,” Alan assured smoothly.
Freya, of course, knew nothing about their little planning session. Once the call ended, she went straight to bed, worn out.
The next morning, Freya headed into the office.
It was the end of September, and she and Melvin made their way to Briggs Group.
On the way to the company, Freya glanced at Melvin. She’d given him time off, but he’d insisted on tagging along. She didn’t argue. At Briggs Group, they only worked until midday before getting ready for the team-building retreat.
Each department handled its own events, since the company was so big. Outside of the annual party, team-building was typically a department-by-department affair meant to boost morale and connections.
So, after lunch, Alan came looking for her.
Freya received the retreat location from him and told him to head over first—she had a few things left to wrap up. Alan didn’t protest. He simply nodded and left.
By the time Freya finished her tasks, it was already 1 P.M.
After lunch with Melvin, the two strolled out together, not expecting to bump into Norah on their way out of the building.
Freya cast her a brief glance and moved on.
But Norah froze internally. She’d tried digging into Freya’s background the day before, but she got nothing about her past.
.
.
.