Chapter 70:
“Very well then.” Hugh got up, ready to escort them out with polite formality.
With that, the conversation came to a quiet close.
It was clear to everyone that the discussion about collaboration was just a facade.
They all recognized that Kristian’s casual mention of visiting the Briggs Group was nothing more than empty talk. In the ruthless world of business, nothing was set in stone until it was inked on the contract.
Once they had departed, Ethel wasted no time. She whipped out her phone and rapidly fired off a series of messages to Freya.
“Did you really marry Kristian just for his looks? He hardly seems to care about you.”
“I can’t stand the thought of him as my brother-in-law.”
“He’s absolutely unworthy of you!”
Within moments, Freya’s inbox already held a string of messages from Ethel.
Though Ethel knew little else, the cold indifference in Kristian’s eyes whenever he glanced at her sister spoke volumes. There was not a trace of love or warmth.
Had her sister not concealed her true identity, Ethel might have even thought that Kristian was only after her wealth.
Freya’s phone buzzed incessantly with Ethel’s rapid messages. She chose not to look at them just yet, knowing Kristian was still nearby.
“Can you handle yourself in a fight?” Kristian inquired, his figure looming over her as he stood by the car.
Freya struggled to engage in a meaningful dialogue with him. “I could take you down without breaking a sweat,” she declared with a smirk.
𝖍𝖔𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖉 𝖎𝖓 𝖘𝖎𝖙𝖊: 𝖌𝖆𝖑𝖓𝖔𝖛𝖊𝖑𝖘﹒𝖈𝖔𝖒
Both Kristian and Gerard were momentarily stunned into silence.
“Does the thought of Ethel introducing you to a dozen men make you feel more secure?” Kristian had been seething ever since Ethel had made that suggestion.
Freya’s intention was clear; she wanted to rile him up. “Precisely,” she replied coldly.
Kristian’s fury was palpable.
In his anger, he lashed out with words he might later regret. “Do you actually believe those affluent men would give you a second glance? Your past role as a bodyguard for the Briggs family is irrelevant. It’s a pipe dream to think you can ascend above your station.”
Kristian’s tone was biting. “Even if those affluent men notice you, it would merely be due to the Briggs family’s influence.”
He was all too familiar with the ways of this elite circle. If Freya were to immerse herself in it, she would be the one to suffer.
“I married a rich man once, why not do it all over again?” Unperturbed, Freya retorted. “Perhaps if I get married a few more times, my value might eventually eclipse yours.”
“Do you really believe anyone else would take an interest in you the way I did?” Kristian’s voice dripped with iciness.
Freya nodded, her voice steady. “It’s not beyond the bounds of possibility.”
“You certainly think highly of yourself,” Kristian retorted with a smirk. His voice took on a darker tone as he admitted, “I was only drawn to you because you reminded me of Ashley.”
A heavy silence fell over Freya.
.
.
.