She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 27

Chapter 27 Striking Kristian Squarely In The...

"Back then, I was bullied and shoved down the stairs-the principal had to call you in," Ethel stated, her voice imbued with a 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

remember?" called me Sheila in the past. Do you

"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.

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Et Ban squarely in the

to challenge Kristian. She turned to him with s determined look. "Mr. Shaw, may I inquire about the reasons behind your

too much," Kristian responded, his fone dismissive. Ethel faced Freya, searching her

Freya nodded, albeit

flicker of doubt crossed Ethel's face. She knew her sister well enough to tell she was holding

worry, I know plenty of wonderful rich men. I'll introduce you to them. They've all been eager to

I'm in," Freya murmured, understanding that Ethel was merely playing her

displeasure

pleasure in playing matchmaker?" Kristian's voice carried a sharp edge of

a confident shrug "I just enjoy looking out for Freys She's a remarkable woman and

think you know who suits her best?" Kristian pressed,

introduce her

meddling more than

were still in the midst of finalizing their divorce, and here was Ethel, unabashedly planning to introduce Freya to

Kristian interjected, his voice laced with an 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

then." Hugh got up, ready

came to a

that the discussion about collaboration was just

than empty talk. In the ruthless world of business, nothing was set in stone

wasted no time. She whipped out her phone and rapidly

Kristian just for his looks?

thought

unworthy of

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27 Striking Kristian

Ethel knew little else, the cold indifference in Kristian's eyes whenever he glanced at her sister spoke volumes. There was not a trace of love or warmth. Had her sister not concealed her true identity, Ethel might have even thought that

wealth.

phone buzzed incessantly with Ethel's rapid

not to look at them just yet,

fight?” Kristian inquired, his figure looming over

in a meaningful dialogue with him. "I could take you down without breaking a sweat," she

to a dozen men make you feel more secure?" Kristian had been seething

Kristian's fury was palpable.