Chapter 89:
Freya quickly took advantage of his hesitation, her voice icy. “I have no desire to sift through tales of your interactions with her. If that’s your agenda, we might as well conclude this now.”
Determined to address the more pressing issue, Hugh changed the subject. “Have you crossed paths unfavorably with Kristian recently?”
A look of surprise flickered across Freya’s face.
Perceiving her puzzlement, Hugh took a moment to clarify the intelligence he had pieced together over the last few days. “It seems he’s intent on pushing you out of the circle. Kristian is a titan in the business world, and his influence resonates widely.”
“Let it be.” Freya dismissed, her voice laced with unshakeable tranquility.
In her eyes, Kristian’s tactics were simply petty—such a grown man, yet playing such a small-minded game of exclusion.
“Are you sure?” Hugh’s voice was laced with concern.
Freya offered a gentle nod, her expression resolute. “Absolutely.”
Hugh, reassured by her calm, chose not to delve further. Yet, driven by his paternal affection, he ventured cautiously, “Would you mind detailing everything that happened with him? I genuinely wish to grasp what occurred.”
During his last visit to the hospital, Hugh had only received a cursory explanation. Now, he was determined to uncover every detail. He was eager to piece together Freya’s life over the past two years.
“There’s really not much to tell. I was merely a substitute,” Freya responded, her voice even and her demeanor unruffled.
Now, she could discuss the past without her emotions getting in the way. “The masquerade has ended, and it’s time for us to resume our separate lives.”
𝕆𝕣𝕚𝕘𝕚𝕟𝕒𝕝𝕝𝕪 𝕒𝕥 ⳑ𝕒𝗅𝗇𝗈ν𝗲𝗅𝘀[ꞏ]𝚌𝗈𝗺
Hugh was visibly startled by her revelation.
A mere substitute?
“Why didn’t you inform me earlier?” he inquired, his voice tinged with confusion.
“I’m no child; I’m capable of handling such matters,” Freya countered, her tone firm. “Moreover, he does have an appealing visage.”
Hugh’s heart didn’t lighten at her words.
Far from it, his concerns only deepened.
“Mina,” he uttered softly.
“If there’s nothing more, we might as well leave it there,” Freya interjected, her voice closing off any further discussion. “I had a restless night; I need to make up for lost sleep.”
“There’s another matter…” Hugh pressed on, unwilling to leave it there.
Freya, sensing more was coming, gave him a look and asked, “What is it?”
“Her daughter is employed by the Briggs Group. Should you visit, it’s probable you’ll encounter her.”
Hugh couldn’t muster the courage to meet Freya’s gaze as he spoke, his voice wavering slightly.
Freya instantly grasped whom he was hinting at.
Feeling a knot of unease in his stomach, Hugh tentatively offered, “If it bothers you, I could have my secretary reassign her.”
“Do whatever you think best,” Freya responded disinterestedly, her mind clearly elsewhere.
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