She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 23

Chapter 23 Arranging Dinner With Freya's Father

Kristian strode out of the hospital room with measured steps, Damon's words echoing in his mind.

His eyes darkened as the implications sank in. Could Freya truly be Hugh Briggs's daughter? The possibility

unsettled him.

Outside, he spotted Richie Hewitt, the branch manager, waiting attentively by the door.

"Richie," Kristian summoned him with quiet authority.

Richie snapped to attention, his posture stiffening as he searched Kristian's expression for clues about the meeting with Damon.

"Find an opportunity to arrange dinner with Hugh Briggs of the Briggs Group," Kristian instructed, his voice deliberately measured, masking his true intentions. Confusion flickered across Richie's features. “Hugh Briggs of the Briggs Group?" "Yes," Kristian confirmed casually, continuing his path down the corridor. He paused briefly to glance into Ethel's room as he passed.

Richie hurried after him. "But our projects with the Briggs Group aren't core collaborations." He assumed business motives behind the request. "Wouldn't arranging dinner seem inappropriate under these circumstances?"

"It's perfectly fine," Kristian replied, shifting his gaze forward again. He had already formulated his strategy to probe Hugh. "Simply mention that I find our cooperation with the Briggs Group promising and wish to explore deeper collaboration."

Richie hesitated, his lips twitching with unspoken reluctance.

"What's wrong?" Kristian inquired, noticing the man's discomfort.

"Our cooperation with the Briggs Group hasn't exactly been pleasant..." Richie's face paled as memories surfaced. "During percentage negotiations, both parties maintained superficial politeness while secretly harboring violent thoughts toward each other."

That collaboration had resembled nothing short of a battlefield.

The Briggs Group ranked last on Richie's list of desired business partners-they were impossibly difficult! Kristian fell silent, taken aback. He hadn't anticipated this complication, as Alerith's business dealings were managed externally. "Then devise another pretext for the meeting," he directed.

"Yes, sir," Richie agreed, though reluctance still tinged his voice.

0.0%

15:37

m2

13

III

=

> 0

Meanwhile, Freya remained blissfully unaware that Kristian planned to meet her fatture

At nine that evening, Ethel finally stirred from unconsciousness

reveal the sterile white hospital room. Pain radiated through her body coding her to wince as she attempted to move. Then, a voice- one

reached her ears.

gently, placing a restraining hand on her sister "You's

drip."

instantly flooded Ethel's being. Joy illuminated her eyes as she

her voice thick with

sill wil frem "Okay," Ethel complied eagerly, her bright gaze fixed adoringly on Freya, drinking in her

blanket snugly around her

"Mina," Ethel murmured.

"Yes?" Freya responded attentively.

so wonderful to have you back," Ethel continued, her voice warm with

lips curved into a

"Mina," Ethel called again.

"Yes?"

see you," Ethel whispered, her words simple

nose, affection radiating from

Ethel beamed with

minutes later, after the infusion completed, Freya

nurse

freed from the IV, Ethel struggled eagerly to

adjusted the bed to a comfortable position, offered her a cup of water, and settled

passing moment. "Dad mentioned you married Kristian Shaw and are planning to

in her eyes.

fell silent,

to

gently, her gaze settling on the bandages encircling Ethel's head, "you need to explain how

27.6%

1537

<

Dinner With Freya's

by a flicker

waited with patient silence, allowing her sister the space to gather her thoughts without

when I tell you," Ethel negotiated, teeth worrying her bottom

conceded with a reassuring

extensively before finally admitting, "I was beaten, though I'm uncertain about who

it.*

with me," Freya encouraged, maintaining her composure despite

Cheryl's relatives,"

probably bears no connection to

had become their father's new companion in

unexpected text," Ethel elaborated, reconstructing the sequence of events. "It claimed a friend of mine was in trouble and urged me

Freya probed, seeking crucial

hesitated meaningfully, her eyes deliberately avoiding

immediately on Freya. "A