Chapter 66:
She had exchanged cash specifically in case Kristian demanded proof of her transportation payment—a receipt she couldn’t possibly provide. If questioned, she could simply claim she had taken a taxi and paid with cash.
Since he hadn’t pursued the matter, she needn’t worry about saying too much and inadvertently revealing inconsistencies.
The path from the hospital entrance to Ethel’s room wasn’t particularly lengthy, yet Kristian deliberately slowed his pace.
He was testing Freya, attempting to determine whether she truly lacked knowledge of Ethel’s ward location.
At a crossroads, Gerard chose the right path, while Kristian deliberately veered in the wrong direction.
He watched, curious about Freya’s next move.
But Freya didn’t waste a moment contemplating her choice. Whether consciously or not, between Kristian and Gerard, she would instinctively follow Gerard.
This lesson had been ingrained in her by Kristian himself.
Gerard glimpsed his boss heading astray and paused to call out, “Sir, Miss Briggs’s room lies this way—you’ve taken a wrong turn.”
Kristian pivoted back toward them.
The trio resumed their journey together.
Kristian’s eyes settled on Freya, who maintained perfect composure. “How did you know which way was correct?”
“It’s always right to follow Gerard’s lead,” Freya answered, dissolving his suspicions with those simple words.
Both men lapsed into silence.
𝒯ℎ𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝒻𝓮𝑅𝒽𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒𝒻𝒾𝒆𝓃𝓒𝑒: 𝑔𝓪𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝖊𝗅𝓈.𝒸𝓂
Gerard fidgeted inwardly, genuinely worried about potential misinterpretations of his relationship with Freya.
He’d accompanied her shopping, arranged her meals, and served as her chauffeur whenever she ventured out. What if his boss began to suspect something more? The thought truly unsettled him!
Kristian sighed with frustration, yet noting Freya’s ordinary demeanor, he hastened his steps toward Ethel’s hospital room.
He was merely testing Freya; business matters could be delegated later.
Meanwhile, Hugh smoothed his attire and asked Ethel to verify his appearance before inquiring, “Do I project authority?”
“Absolutely,” Ethel responded.
“You mean it?” he pressed.
She nodded firmly. “Without question!”
“Enough to intimidate Kristian?” he ventured further.
“That’s difficult to predict…” she replied candidly.
In her experience, Kristian had never cowered before anyone; others always feared him instead.
Hugh recognized this truth, and his expression hardened as he contemplated how to assert dominance over Kristian.
After all, he needed to confront the man who had hurt his daughter!
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