Kristian entered with Freya at his side, greeted Hugh, and throughout, scrutinized the reactions of both Hugh and Ethel.
Yet he observed nothing remarkable.
Hugh and Ethel regarded Freya with complete indifference, as though she were a stranger among them.
After exchanging courtesies and offering well-wishes for Ethel’s recovery, Kristian broached the business matter with Hugh.
“Mr. Shaw, you expressed interest in our Briggs Group’s latest venture. Which specific project catches your attention?” Hugh inquired with outward politeness, though his bearing reflected years of corporate command.
Freya’s gaze flickered momentarily. She sensed a shift in her father’s presence. What escaped her notice was Hugh’s underlying displeasure with Kristian.
Bringing her along without proper introduction suggested to Hugh that Kristian disregarded her daughter entirely.
This unspoken grievance cast a cold edge over Hugh.
Kristian detected Hugh’s hostility but dismissed it as possibly imagined.
“The artificial intelligence initiative.”
“We manage several AI projects. Which one specifically?” Hugh countered swiftly, his eyes locked on Kristian.
“The AI robotics development,” Kristian clarified.
“That particular venture shows promise, but we’ve already secured a partnership elsewhere,” Hugh stated.
“I see.” Kristian hadn’t come with serious business intentions anyway. His gaze drifted toward Freya briefly, his lips curving into a knowing smile. “I wonder, Mr. Briggs, do you have daughters beyond Ethel Briggs?”
“What exactly are you implying?” Hugh responded with practiced ease. Ethel glanced up, suddenly attentive.
Kristian, measured and deliberate, explained, “Recently in Jeucwell, I encountered someone claiming your daughter. I wondered if perhaps you had another daughter.”
“My dad has only one daughter,” Ethel declared from her bed, her voice carrying youthful certainty.
Hugh maintained his poise, responding with a touch of humor, “Such rumors are merely gossip. I’ve even heard numerous claims from people eager to bear your children.”
“No doubt,” Kristian replied, settling into the casual exchange.
Ethel struggled to control her wandering gaze, which repeatedly drifted toward Freya.
On her tenth glance, Kristian looked up and inquired softly, “Miss Briggs, are you acquainted with my wife?”
.
.
.
Freya tensed with worry. Would her sister reveal her true identity?
“She’s your wife?” Ethel finally gazed openly at her sister.
Kristian offered an ambiguous response. “For the moment.”
“For the moment?” Hugh pressed.
“We’re proceeding with divorce,” Kristian stated evenly, carefully observing Hugh’s reaction.
If Hugh were truly Freya’s father, surely he would bristle at this revelation.
Yet Hugh betrayed no emotional response. He wasn’t one to pry into others’ personal affairs or engage in idle gossip. Questioning further would risk exposing her daughter’s identity and potentially derailing her plans.
Ethel seized the opportunity to confront Kristian, excitedly turning to Hugh, “Dad, don’t you think Mr. Shaw’s wife resembles someone from our past?”
Hugh’s puzzled eyes silently asked, “What are you doing?”
Ethel looked back, as if saying, “I’m showing Kristian that Freya has allies.”
Hugh’s concerned look warned, “Don’t expose Freya!”
Ethel’s eyes reassured, “Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”
Hugh remained unconvinced, anxiety evident in his expression.
“Who?” Hugh interrupted their silent exchange with a verbal question.
“My bodyguard from elementary school, Freya,” Ethel improvised, her eyes sparkling with calculated excitement.
Hugh and Freya both fell silent.
Kristian’s brow creased slightly as he murmured, “Bodyguard?”
“Freya?” Hugh cautiously played along. He genuinely floundered for a response; this deviation wasn’t part of their planned script.
Ethel, skilled in improvisation, crafted a fictional past while subtly implicating her father. “When I was nine, don’t you remember bringing home a girl five years my senior? You assigned her to protect me, ensuring I wouldn’t face bullying outside school.”
Hugh’s forehead wrinkled in concentration. How should he respond? Pretend to recall this fabricated memory or continue feigning ignorance? Sheila was indeed five years younger than Mina. But without prepared lines for this unexpected scenario, he dared not speak carelessly, fearing one wrong word might unravel everything.
“Back then, I was bullied and shoved down the stairs – the principal had to call you in,” Ethel stated, her voice imbued with firm resolve. “You even accompanied the police to review the security footage…” Her tone intensified with sincerity as she spoke.
Aware that feigning ignorance might only escalate matters, Hugh decided to play along, feigning a moment of enlightenment. “Ah, that Freya?”
“Yes, exactly!” Ethel exclaimed, her excitement palpable.
“Are you Freya Briggs?” Hugh inquired, seeking confirmation of her identity.
Caught off guard by their convincing performance, Freya responded with a composed, “Yes.”
“Wait… Freya? Is that actually you?” Ethel bubbled over with joy, her demeanor reminiscent of a seasoned actress. “I’m the girl with the short hair you rescued from the pond when I tumbled in as a child. Everyone called me Sheila in the past. Do you remember?”
“Yes, I do,” Freya affirmed, nodding.
How could she possibly forget? This little mischief-maker had wandered off to gather lotus flowers and had accidentally fallen into the pond. Even as Freya had pulled her to safety, she had clung tightly to a lotus flower.
Kristian turned his gaze toward Freya, studying her more intently. “Why haven’t you ever spoken of your ties to the Briggs family?”
“Do people usually bring up decade-old stories in daily conversation?” Freya shot back.
Kristian was left at a loss for words.
Ethel extended a warm invitation, her voice bubbling with cheer. “Freya, come join me over here!”
Freya moved to sit beside her.
Their conversation flowed easily, filled with fond memories of days gone by.
One moment they were laughing over how Freya had bravely confronted bullies on Ethel’s behalf, and the next they chuckled about the times Freya had craftily covered for Ethel’s secret snack raids.
“You’ve transformed so dramatically over the past decade,” Ethel remarked as she clasped Freya’s hands, her eyes glimmering with sentiment. “If it weren’t for your unmistakable face, I might not have recognized you at all.”
Kristian watched quietly, a slow realization settling in – it was probably true.
Ethel, ever protective of her sister, saw a perfect moment to challenge Kristian. She turned to him with a determined look. “Mr. Shaw, may I inquire about the reasons behind your decision to divorce Freya?”
“Our personalities just clash too much,” Kristian responded, his tone dismissive.
Ethel faced Freya, searching her eyes. “Is that really the case?”
“Yes.” Freya nodded, albeit reluctantly.
A flicker of doubt crossed Ethel’s face. She knew her sister well enough to tell she was holding back the truth!
“Perhaps a divorce is for the best,” Ethel stated boldly, her voice firm and resolute. “Don’t worry, I know plenty of wonderful rich men. I’ll introduce you to them. They’ve all been eager to meet the woman who was my guardian angel back in the day.”
“Sure, I’m in,” Freya murmured, understanding that Ethel was merely playing her part.
Kristian’s expression tightened, a flicker of displeasure flashing across his face at Ethel’s remark.
“Miss Briggs, do you find pleasure in playing matchmaker?” Kristian’s voice carried a sharp edge of hostility.
“Not particularly,” Ethel responded with a confident shrug. “I just enjoy looking out for Freya. She’s a remarkable woman and truly deserves the best.”
“So, what makes you think you know who suits her best?” Kristian pressed, his tone challenging.
Ethel waved off his concern with a dismissive gesture. “Simple. I’ll introduce her to a selection, and she can pick whoever captures her heart,” she declared.
Kristian found Ethel’s meddling more than just irritating.
They were still in the midst of finalizing their divorce, and here was Ethel, unabashedly planning to introduce Freya to potential suitors right in front of him – a move devoid of any tact.
“This discussion should be postponed until after their divorce is finalized,” Kristian interjected, his voice laced with icy disapproval. “Regarding the collaboration, I’ll send someone to the Briggs Group another day to go over the details with you, Mr. Briggs. I’ll leave Miss Briggs to rest for now.”
“Very well then.” Hugh got up, ready to escort them out with polite formality.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.