Chapter 564:

Elyse awoke the next morning to an unexpected sight: two guests in her living room. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, sat on the sofa, and glanced between Gavin and Freda, who sat beside him. The world felt surreal.

“Why is she here with you?” Elyse asked, her confusion evident.

Gavin exchanged a look with Freda, who sat demurely. He explained, “She wanted to apologize to you personally, so I brought her.”

Elyse blinked, trying to clear her foggy mind. “She wants to apologize?”

Freda looked at Elyse, her voice soft and sincere. “Yes, I do. I’ve been thinking a lot these past few days and realized I made a mistake. I broke the rules during the competition and hurt you.”

Her eyes were earnest as she continued, “I’m sorry. I truly apologize for my actions.”

Elyse stared at her in disbelief.

After gathering her thoughts, she glanced at Gavin, who merely shrugged, as if to say, “I’m as surprised as you are.” Unsure of Freda’s sincerity but recognizing the effort, Elyse decided there was no point in holding a grudge. “If you’ve thought it through, then that’s good.”

Freda nodded, her tone becoming more reflective. “I haven’t treated you well. Because of Theo, I always saw you as a rival. But now that I’ve completely ended things with him, I realize it was my problem, not yours.”

Elyse’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. An apology for the competition might have seemed forced, perhaps out of etiquette or pressure. But admitting fault regarding Theo was something else entirely.

Seeing Freda’s outpouring of words, Gavin intervened, gently placing a hand over her mouth. “I need to discuss something important with Elyse. Business. Since you’ve apologized, that’s enough.”

Freda removed his hand, her temper flaring momentarily before she regained control. “Fine! Fine! I’ll do whatever you say. I’ll listen!”

Elyse’s jaw dropped as she glanced between Freda and Gavin. Something was definitely amiss between them. Freda noticed Elyse’s reaction and smirked, satisfied. Misleading Elyse was precisely what she wanted.

Gavin sighed, brushing off Freda’s subtle provocations. He pulled out the registration form for an overseas competition. “Fill this out,” he instructed Elyse. “I’ll get Fiona to complete her part later.”

Business mode activated, Elyse accepted the pen from the butler and began filling in the form meticulously. Freda, her eyes gleaming with mischief, sidled up to Gavin.

“Mind if I tag along when you find Fiona? I’d feel guilty if I didn’t do something to help.”

Gavin gave her a half-amused look. “Got nothing better to do?”

Elyse’s head jerked up at his tone, her eyes darting to Freda. Freda beamed.

“Yeah, I’m a bit free. You’re swamped with all this. Why not let me pitch in?”

Elyse then turned her questioning gaze to Gavin, who rapped his knuckles on the table, directing his words to Elyse. “Focus on the form, Elyse. Don’t get distracted.”

Elyse’s eyes dropped back to the paper, but her ears strained to catch every word. Gavin led Freda to the garden, leaving Elyse behind, curiosity burning in her chest.

Once outside, Gavin rubbed his temples in exasperation. “What do you want now, Freda? The apology’s done. Elyse hasn’t said anything about you. Why don’t you just go home?”

Freda’s eyes glistened with feigned innocence. “Why are you trying to get rid of me? I really want to make up for my mistakes. Driving me away feels like you’re not willing to accept me.”

Gavin’s patience was wearing thin. He forced a smile. “Freda, are you playing games with me? What’s your real motive? Just say it.”

Freda’s gaze shifted, and she replied shyly, “I want your phone number. I really want to help you out with something. Can you give me a chance?”

Gavin’s face darkened. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

Freda crossed her arms, her chin jutting out defiantly. “If you won’t give me your number, it’s obviously because you despise me and never forgave me!”

Gavin let out a wry laugh. “Believe what you want.” ... ... ...