“What’s wrong? Are you afraid she’ll look for you?” asked Shawn when he saw her expression. Panic crossed Frieda’s face. “No way. I’m just worried.”
Shawn chuckled lightly. “About?” Frieda looked around guiltily. “The police are keeping a close eye on every road to the Farwell residence. She’ll definitely get caught if she comes back. I think… it’s best if she doesn’t come back.”
Shawn snorted coldly. “No can do. I sent her abroad just for the day of her return.” Aubree’s grudge against Roxanne was deep. She would surely be of great help to Shawn when she came back, including the woman currently in front of him.
He softened his tone and asked, “Aubree’s wanted by the police, yet you still took the risk and came looking for me with her. Your relationship with her is amazing. I can’t help but wonder if she has some dirt on you.”
His words hit the bull’s eye. Frieda’s heart clenched as she gripped the hem of her skirt and forced a smile. “Don’t make wild guesses without any proof. Aubree and I have always been close.”
Shawn merely stared at her, examining her expression. Moments later, he let out a mysterious smile as if he had confirmed something. “It was too abrupt of me. I just think your relationship with her is too good to be true.”
With that, he stood up nonchalantly, walked to the wine cabinet, and returned with a bottle of wine and two glasses.
His actions filled Frieda with puzzlement and wariness. After pouring two glasses of wine, Shawn pushed one of the glasses toward Frieda. “I’m not used to having coffee with pretty girls. Let’s have some wine instead.”
As he spoke, there was an ambiguous smile on his face. Frieda frowned and did not accept the drink. “I can’t drink. I drove here.”
Hearing that, Shawn spread out his hands in a gesture of disappointment. “What a pity. Looks like I’ve got to drink alone, then.” Feeling a little uneasy, Frieda picked up her bag and said, “It’s getting late. I’ll be taking my leave.”
Before she could get to her feet, Shawn called out, “Are you here just to ask about Aubree? If that’s the case, you can’t blame me for suspecting the relationship between you two.”
Hearing that, Frieda had no choice but to sit back down. “Nonetheless, I’m more than willing to be used by a pretty woman.” Shawn had a pair of bright eyes that crinkled when he smiled.
He had used that same trick on many women. Even Frieda was slightly mesmerized by him when she sat down.
“I don’t understand why a sensible woman like you would end up being friends with a person like Aubree,” he commented. Frieda lowered her guard and mumbled, “I didn’t know she was that kind of person, either. It was too late by the time I found out.” Shawn caught the keyword in her words. “What’s too late?”
Snapping out of it, Frieda forced herself to stay calm and said, “I was already her close friend when I found out about it, so I can’t just abandon her.”
Shawn nodded thoughtfully and did not pursue it any further. The two continued making small talk, but it was mostly Shawn who came up with topics for the conversation. He stopped bringing up Aubree’s name, which helped Frieda relax more.
At the end of their conversation, Shawn walked her out the door. “I had a great time talking to you today. It’s a pity we didn’t have drinks together. When will you be free to have a meal with me, Ms. Queen?”
Frieda hesitated for a moment. Even so, ideas came to her mind when she recalled their pleasant conversation earlier. Shawn was attractive and had power comparable with the Farwell family.
Frieda had wanted to let Aubree marry Lucian so she could bask in Aubree’s glory. Now that she had a perfectly good opportunity presented to her, there was no reason for her not to climb up the social ladder.
With that thought in mind, she agreed and arranged a time with him. As Shawn watched her leave, his expression darkened gradually.
The Queen family has a close relationship with the Farwell family. Frieda is definitely someone I can use. Based on my observation, Aubree must have some dirt on her. If I fail to restrain her with affection, I’ll ask Aubree for Frieda’s dirt. I’m going to have complete control over Frieda no matter what.
On her way home, Frieda kept thinking of the way Shawn treated her. He’s incredible for being able to send Aubree out of the country without the Farwell family or the police finding out about it. If I can actually win his heart… Aubree will become an insignificant insect I can get rid of easily.
The more she thought about it, the more relieved she felt. There was even a subtle smugness on her face when she stepped into the Queen residence. “Where have you been?”
Recently, Jonathan had been closely monitoring her whereabouts. When he found out she had left the company in the afternoon, he had been waiting in the living room ever since he came home.
That was why he threw her that question as soon as she came back. Upon hearing his voice, Frieda looked up and flashed him a casual smile. “Nowhere. I just wanted to take a stroll. I finally got the chance to go out after being locked up at home for the past few days.”
Jonathan’s scrutinizing gaze was filled with suspicion. Frieda said in a childlike voice, “Don’t be so paranoid, Jonathan. Aubree’s gone. I can’t find her even if I want to. I really went out to get some fresh air.”
Only then did Jonathan force himself to believe her. Still, he reminded her, “Don’t do anything stupid again. Be good and stay at home. Grandpa and I won’t let you suffer.”
Frieda nodded obediently, and he said nothing else. “By the way, I think I saw Lucian this afternoon. What did he want with you?” asked Frieda.
Jonathan had nothing to hide, so he simply answered, “He wants my help to contact a few medicinal herbs suppliers. It has nothing to do with you.” Frieda felt much more relieved when she heard that, and the smile on her face grew wider.
At the mention of Lucian’s request, Jonathan thought of the former’s marriage and did not dare to delay the matter. “It’s late. Rest early I’m going to carry on with my work.”
Frieda hummed in agreement and went upstairs. As soon as she returned to her room, her expression turned grim.
We’re children of the Queen family. What gives Jonathan the right to tell me what I should do? Just because he’s the eldest child and started working in the company sooner than me? Hmph! I’m going to make those elders regret it when I marry into a family more powerful than the Queen family.
Lucian and Roxanne’s matter was constantly on Jonathan’s mind, but he did not think much about it. After marching into the study, he began calling up all the medicinal herb suppliers the Queen family knew of.
Roxanne had been in a meeting the entire afternoon. Yet, there were still no leads. She looked gloomy when she returned to the Farwell residence. “Mommy, why didn’t you pick us up in the afternoon?”
Lucian had picked the children up that day, and they had been asking for Roxanne the entire evening. The second she returned, Benny immediately went to meet her at the door. His disappointment was written all over his face.
Seeing that, Roxanne forced a smile at them. “I was busy in the afternoon. I’ll pick you up once I’m done with my work.”
Lucian, who was observing them by the side, raised his brow. “Are you guys upset that I picked all of you up alone? Or maybe you prefer Mr. Lawson more?”
Upon hearing that, the children hurriedly. hugged his thighs. “No! We don’t want Mr. Lawson. We want you, Daddy!”
“Run along and play, then,” said Lucian while patting their heads. The children’s gazes shifted from Roxanne to Lucian. They could tell the adults had something to talk about, so they tactfully dispersed. Lucian approached Roxanne and caressed her face. “Still no leads?”
It was Roxanne’s first time feeling so disheartened. She could not help but become clingy as she placed her forehead on his shoulder. “Yeah. I really don’t know what to do. I’m so tired. I never knew negotiating businesses was so tiring.”
Lucian pulled her into his arms and patted her back gently. “Don’t worry. I’ve already asked Jonathan to contact all the medicinal herb suppliers in the country.”
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.
Leave a Reply