Chapter 99:
By the time her plane touched down in Jeucwell, afternoon had progressed to three o’clock.
Freya secured transportation and called Melinda for the hospital’s location.
Upon her arrival, she discovered Lionel had been transferred to a regular room and had regained consciousness, though his complexion appeared ashen and his usual vitality diminished.
“Freya?” Melinda spotted her immediately.
Freya carried a package containing fruits and nutritional supplements that Lionel favored.
After setting her offerings aside, she greeted everyone present. The room held only four occupants: herself, Melinda, Lionel, and Kristian. Kristian slouched in his dark attire, his impeccably tailored black suit contrasting sharply with his dejected demeanor. The vivid red handprint marking his cheek stood out prominently against his pallor. Had Lionel struck him in anger?
“Freya, come closer.” Lionel’s entire countenance brightened visibly upon seeing her.
Freya approached his bedside.
She harbored genuine concern for the elderly gentleman. Throughout these past two years, she had discovered in Lionel a fascinating individual—erudite yet refreshingly progressive in his thinking. Their relationship had evolved into something authentically resembling that of grandfather and granddaughter.
“I’ve been informed of everything that transpired.” Lionel clasped her hand, his eyes brimming with remorse as he confessed, “My family has grievously wronged you. I bear responsibility for failing to raise my grandson properly.”
“The fault lies entirely with him,” Freya reassured Lionel, her tone deliberately gentle. “Neither you nor other family members share any blame in this.”
Lɒtєѕτ chɑρτєrs ιn g𝓪l𝑛ovє𝓁𝓈.𝑐𝓞𝓂
Kristian glanced over at her words. Was she emphasizing this deliberately for his benefit?
Lionel’s internal conflict intensified, his guilt toward Freya deepening with each passing moment.
She was such an extraordinary woman. How could Kristian fail to treasure her presence in his life?
“Rest assured, as long as I draw breath, that woman will never marry him,” Lionel declared with grave certainty. “Should he dare to go against my will, I shall end my life before him.”
“Grandpa!” Kristian’s expression revealed his dismay at the declaration.
Lionel refused even to acknowledge Kristian; his fury toward his grandson remained unabated.
Freya recoiled at Lionel’s pronouncement, hastening to calm him. “Lionel, that approach would be most counterproductive.”
“Have you a superior alternative?” Lionel inquired.
“Indeed I do,” Freya affirmed.
“Please elaborate,” Lionel encouraged.
Freya continued thoughtfully, “You should embrace life with complete vitality—that would constitute the greatest deterrent possible.”
“Truly?” Lionel questioned.
“Absolutely.” Freya cajoled him, determined to prevent his distress. “If I couldn’t secure approval from my beloved’s family, I would be utterly terrified. The mere mention of their name would send me into anxious trembling.”
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