The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Chapter 31

In a past life, neither Kieran nor Ronan attended the auction, opting for their secretaries to handle the bidding over the phone instead. Perhaps Freya's intervention altered the course of events. This time, seeing Kieran enter with Eloise, Freya couldn't help but revel in the situation. It officially confirmed that she and Kieran were no longer together, which she found immensely satisfying. "Is that Ms. Harwood over there?"

"Since when does Mr. Sutton ever bring a date?"

"It's all because someone overestimated her worth, daring to break off an engagement with Mr. Sutton. Look at her, completely discarded, like yesterday's news. I bet she's regretting her decision now."

"Everyone in Echo City knows the Dawson family practically begged for the engagement with the Sutton family. Now, she thinks she's too good for him, huh? Please. Mr. Sutton could find a replacement tomorrow, and who would dare associate with her now?" The gossip and laughter of the socialites outside the venue were openly aimed at Freya, who had shown up just a few minutes before Kieran and Eloise.

insisted she should wait outside, a decision she was beginning

now that Ronan and Kieran were cut from the same cloth, seemingly destined

now. What's the point in showing up

ending things with Mr. Sutton. And now here she is, tagging along. But let's face it. A stand-in is just that. Mr. Sutton's moved on. Why would he give her a second glance?" "She's made her bed. Imagine, she was almost Mrs. Sutton and she just let it slip away. She should take a good look in the mirror. Did she think she could

of Kieran had devalued her in the eyes of men and earned her the scorn and ridicule of her peers. Unable to resist, one social butterfly approached Freya with a sardonic smile. "Ms. Dawson, with a face like that, you should focus on pleasing men while you still can. After this debacle, who in Echo City would dare associate with you?" Laughter erupted from the group, each jab at Freya's expense a testament to her fall from grace. Even with her beauty

the epitome of tailored perfection. His demeanor was cold and unapproachable. Adjusting his designer glasses, Ronan scanned the crowd with a glance that silenced the mockery.

to draw gasps from the onlookers. Since when were Freya and Mr. Beckett an

mentioned it to Kieran. "That looks like

their closeness undeniable. The fact that Ronan was holding Freya's wrist was a