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

saw a perfect moment to challenge Kristian. She turned to him with s determined look. "Mr. Shaw, may I inquire

responded, his fone dismissive. Ethel faced Freya, searching

nodded,

of doubt crossed Ethel's face. She knew her sister well enough

plenty of wonderful rich men.

murmured, understanding that Ethel was merely playing her

expression tightened, a flicker of displeasure flashing across his

playing matchmaker?"

"I just enjoy looking out for Freys She's a remarkable woman and truly deserves

know who suits her best?" Kristian pressed, his tone

a dismissive gesture. "Simple. I'll introduce her to a selection, and she can pick

found Ethel's meddling more than just

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

voice laced with an icy disapproval. "Regarding the collaboration, I'll send someone to the Briggs Group another day to

then." Hugh got up, ready to escort them out with polite

that, the conversation came to a quiet

clear to everyone that the discussion about collaboration was just a

Kristian's casual mention of visiting the Briggs Group was nothing more than empty talk. In the ruthless world of business, nothing was set in stone until it was inked

her phone and rapidly fired off a series of messages

for his looks? He hardly seems to care about

can't stand the thought of him as my

unworthy of

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27 Striking Kristian Squarely In

moments, Freya's inbox already held a string of messages from Ethel. Though 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

wealth.

incessantly with Ethel's

not to look at them just yet, knowing Kristian was still

fight?” Kristian inquired, his figure looming over

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

of Ethel introducing you to a dozen men make you feel more secure?" Kristian had been seething ever since Ethel had made that

Kristian's fury was palpable.