For years, he had hoped she would eventually return to assume leadership of the company.
Despite her exceptional business acumen, she had consistently shown no interest in joining the Briggs Group’s operations.
Now, finally, she was accepting a position within the organization.
Freya maintained her composure throughout their exchange.
.
.
.
Since she still needed to travel to Jeucwell to finalize the divorce proceedings, she explained, “I’ll thoroughly familiarize myself with the current business landscape first and formally assume the position after our divorce becomes official.”
“Whenever suits your timeline,” Hugh concurred wholeheartedly.
Freya acknowledged his support with a simple nod.
During the following days, Kristian made no effort to contact Freya. He immersed himself in business negotiations while Freya methodically investigated the incident involving Ethel.
A week passed remarkably quickly.
After comprehensive medical assessments confirmed no permanent damage, Ethel was cleared to leave the hospital. Fortunately, her arm fracture was relatively minor, requiring only minimal rest before a full recovery.
A more severe break would have demanded a month-long healing period.
As for her head injury, despite its initially alarming appearance due to heavy bleeding, it healed swiftly under the expert care of Frederick’s sister. Nevertheless, the wound on her forehead still needed daily dressing changes.
Hugh personally arrived to take her home.
Ethel sat quietly in the vehicle, a subtle melancholy shadowing her demeanor.
“Mina has been thoroughly investigating the incident,” Hugh explained, recognizing the source of her despondency. “She submitted all the evidence to law enforcement several days ago. Once the prosecutor’s office finishes their review, the case will move to court for formal prosecution.”
“Have we identified the perpetrator?” Ethel asked, her spirits visibly lifting at the news.
“I don’t know. I asked her, but she kept it to herself,” Hugh replied, his voice trailing off into silence.
When he tried to press further, Freya had warned him not to get involved, insisting she would handle the matter personally. Yesterday, when he followed up about any results, she skillfully changed the subject, reminding him of his responsibility to pick up Ethel from the hospital.
Ethel hesitated, debating whether to share her thoughts with her father.
Hugh noticed her hesitation. “What’s troubling you?”
“Perhaps she withheld information to spare you from an awkward position.” Ethel had come to this conclusion once her emotions settled.
Hugh stiffened. “What exactly are you suggesting?”
“During my attack, I glimpsed someone beyond the alley – Cheryl’s younger brother,” Ethel revealed, the memory growing clearer as her health improved. “I told Mina, and she told me to keep you in the dark.”
Hugh’s eyes locked briefly, his expression hardening.
Ethel yearned for reconciliation between her sister and father. “Whatever wedge stands between you two, beneath it all, you still care deeply for each other. Why not bridge this divide through honest conversation?”
Hugh remained silent, weighed down by remorse. He longed to have a meaningful talk with Freya but knew she might never forgive.
“You’ve yet to fully mature,” Hugh murmured, avoiding further explanation.
“I’ll explain when you’re ready to understand.”
“I’m nineteen now – legally an adult,” Ethel countered, emotions swirling beneath her composed exterior. “I’m no longer the child who begged for sweets and broke down at the slightest hardship.”
Still, Hugh stayed silent.
They shared an unspoken pact to protect this secret until Ethel found happiness.
Frustration bubbled within Ethel. Her sister wouldn’t speak, her father remained silent. Were they conspiring to keep her in the dark forever?
Her phone vibrated repeatedly with incoming messages.
She unlocked her phone and found several images from Frederick.
“Freya and Kristian are locked in a confrontation!” Jackson’s message read. “He’s deliberately humiliating her, making a scene. Hurry – she needs backup.”
Ethel studied the photos, which showed an opulent private room where her sister and Kristian were engaged in a tense standoff. Even through the digital images, the threat of violence was palpable.
“Johnny, take us to Savory Haven immediately,” Ethel ordered the driver urgently.
Savory Haven was an exclusive venue catering to celebrities and business elites – ordinary people had no chance of getting in.
From Frederick’s photos, it appeared to be a business dinner. Present were Freya, Kristian, and several recognizable figures.
Hugh noticed her sudden distress. “What’s happening?”
“Mina and Kristian are in a confrontation,” Ethel explained, her voice tight with worry. “Frederick didn’t share all the details, but apparently Kristian is deliberately making things difficult for her.”
“Johnny, take the shortcut,” Hugh commanded, parental concern rising at the mention of Freya’s situation.
Frederick sat tensely, anxiety gripping him.
His father had insisted he attend, calling it a valuable networking opportunity with a business legend. The invitation was impossible to refuse.
But he hadn’t expected the legend to be Kristian himself.
And to complicate things further, Freya was there as well.
“Unable to handle a few drinks, yet presuming to discuss business?” Kristian remarked from his place at the head of the table. Impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, he regarded her with cold indifference. “Do you really believe your appearance alone earns you access to financial opportunities in this place?”
Freya felt a migraine building behind her temples. She had come with the express purpose of confronting Edwin Newman, Cheryl’s older brother.
Though evidence implicated Emil Newman, Cheryl’s younger brother, as directly responsible for Ethel’s attack, Freya understood the manipulative influence of Edwin – widely known for his cunning – was likely orchestrating events behind the scenes.
With legal avenues exhausted against Edwin, Freya knew she had to confront the matter herself. Anyone who threatened Ethel’s wellbeing would face her unwavering opposition.
Kristian’s unexpected presence caught her completely off guard. “I have no interest in arguing with you today,” she replied with deliberate detachment.
Kristian’s entourage quickly stepped in with their flattery. “Mr. Shaw extends you the courtesy of a drink. Why do you remain standing there, unresponsive?”
“How did this establishment even allow such a woman inside?”
“One cannot deny her striking appearance, though.”
Frederick barely dared to breathe throughout the exchange – not because of the cutting remarks from those at the table, but because he sensed they were inviting disaster. The last person who had treated Freya with such disrespect now went to great lengths to avoid crossing her path.
“Mr. Shaw, women like her require firm handling,” Edwin said, his polished appearance contradicting the crude vulgarity of his words. “Take her to a hotel room, and she’ll quickly become compliant.”
Kristian’s glacial gaze shifted deliberately. “Is that your assessment?”
“Without question!” Edwin leered at Freya and continued, “Mr. Shaw, if you wish, I can arrange accommodations immediately and ensure her delivery.”
Several attendees subtly furrowed their brows, perplexed by Kristian’s willingness to associate with someone like Edwin.
Edwin’s company was a minor enterprise at best, and his notorious weakness for women alienated even casual acquaintances.
“Very well,” Kristian agreed with unsettling calm. “However, I insist she remain untouched beforehand.”
His inscrutable gaze fixed on Freya, masking the anger simmering beneath the surface.
He felt compelled to demonstrate the true viciousness men could wield, convinced nothing less would convey his message effectively.
“I guarantee it!” Edwin beamed with unwarranted confidence. “She’ll arrive at your accommodations completely untouched for your exclusive attention.”
Kristian maintained his silence, an oppressive aura radiating from his presence.
If it weren’t for the critical information Kristian needed about the Briggs family from Edwin, he would never have tolerated dining with such a contemptible man. Initially dismissing his suspicions about Freya, Kristian had recently uncovered her thorough investigation into Ethel’s incident, which ultimately led to Emil’s arrest.
How could someone supposedly employed merely as a bodyguard show such personal investment in Ethel’s affairs?
“This situation seems inappropriate…” Frederick ventured hesitantly. His tentative objection immediately caught the attention of both Kristian and Freya.
Kristian fixed him with a penetrating gaze, while Freya shot him a clear warning glance.
“What troubles you, Mr. Price?” Kristian inquired, his deep, magnetic voice calm but laced with unmistakable authority.
Frederick instinctively glanced toward Freya but found himself unable to voice his concerns. Freya’s intimidating stare effectively silenced him.
Yet, through Kristian’s perceptive eyes, Frederick’s hesitation appeared as genuine concern for Freya, his reluctance suppressed only by the oppressive weight of authority.
Emboldened by this misinterpretation, Kristian pressed further. “Do you perhaps find her too attractive to be escorted away?”
“My son absolutely intended no such implication,” Robert Price interjected hastily, sensing Kristian’s growing displeasure. Seasoned in the business world, veterans like Robert instinctively read subtle shifts in power dynamics. He added deferentially, “Please accept our apologies if offense was taken, Mr. Shaw.”
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.