As soon as she thought of this, a wave of bitterness rose in Freya’s throat. The air in the car felt thick and stuffy. She looked away, intending to roll down the window for some fresh air, but paused before pressing the button. She didn't open it. Instead, she turned her head and looked out the window.

She wasn't sure how much time passed before the car arrived at Isabella’s school. Freya got out to accompany her inside, while Matteo remained in the car.

“Dad…” Isabella looked back, clearly hoping he would join them.

“Dad has something to do,” Matteo answered curtly.

“Oh.” Isabella’s shoulders drooped, and she followed her teacher into the school.

Freya stood by the car. Despite the lingering awkwardness, she chose not to press the situation. Turning toward the car, she told Matteo, “You go ahead. I’ll take a taxi to the company later.”

Matteo glanced at her briefly and said, “It’s on the way.”

Freya hesitated. She didn’t want to ride in his car, but she also didn’t want to make a fuss. Since he didn’t seem to care, why should she? In the end, she said nothing. After watching Isabella enter the school, she got back into the car.

The atmosphere remained tense and silent. Matteo was still looking at his phone, and Freya didn’t feel like breaking the silence. She opened the documents Johnny had sent her and became absorbed in them.

Before she knew it, the car had reached Cole’s office building parking lot. Freya didn’t even notice until she heard Matteo’s voice.

“We’re here.”

She looked up to see the car stopped in front of the building. The luxurious Bentley was attracting attention. Freya quickly grabbed her bag and rushed out, murmuring, “Thank you.”

Matteo glanced at her and responded briefly with, “Mm.”

The car quickly drove away. Freya entered the company building, trying to shake off the lingering unease.

At lunch, Johnny had arranged a business lunch with some partners, and Freya accompanied them. As their car pulled into the restaurant's parking lot, Freya spotted Matteo getting out of his car. Raven also emerged at the same time.

Johnny parked and noticed them as well. He rubbed his forehead slightly and said, “What a coincidence.”

“Mm,” Freya responded indifferently.

She also noticed Logan and Tracy standing nearby. They seemed to have arrived earlier and were walking toward Matteo and Raven.

“Should we get out of the car?” Johnny asked. “Or should we wait until they leave?”

“Let’s get out,” Freya said calmly. She didn’t feel she had done anything wrong, so she had no reason to avoid them.

She and Johnny got out of the car. When Matteo and Raven saw them, they both noticed immediately. Matteo’s expression remained calm, his gaze flicking over Freya briefly before turning away. Raven, however, immediately grew cold upon seeing her.

Freya’s heart sank, sensing the difference in Raven’s reaction. In the past, Raven might have been cold, but she wouldn’t show outright hostility. Freya suspected it had something to do with Matteo telling Raven about the arrangement regarding her uncle not staying across from her family’s house. Matteo had mentioned it, and she had agreed. But to Freya, this wasn’t a major issue—it was the act of seeking Matteo’s help that troubled her. Raven clearly didn’t want to see any connection between them. This made Raven’s expression even colder.

When Logan noticed Raven’s unusual reaction, he looked over and saw Freya. He frowned slightly. Tracy, seeing the scene for the first time, couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. After all, she knew how much Matteo cared about Raven. However, she didn’t dare say anything too provocative in front of him.

Raven walked over, but instead of addressing Freya, she went straight to Johnny.

“Mr. Gray, what a coincidence! We meet again,” Raven said with a bright smile, clearly trying to maintain a light tone.

Johnny smiled stiffly and replied, “Yes, quite a coincidence.”

“I’ve been meaning to invite you to lunch, but I’ve been so busy lately, I just didn’t find the time,” Raven added.

“Miss Brown, no need to be so polite,” Johnny said, his voice tinged with sarcasm. “We all know how busy you are.”

Logan also saw this as an opportunity to establish a good relationship with Johnny. He greeted him and then turned his attention back to Freya, his gaze lingering for a moment before he also walked toward Matteo.

After exchanging pleasantries, the group walked past Freya without a second glance, making their way into the restaurant with Matteo.

Johnny watched them go, a headache brewing. “They sure know how to ignore you.”

Freya shrugged indifferently, “Mm.”

She then looked at Johnny and said, “Let’s go. We shouldn’t keep the guests waiting too long.”

That evening, Freya had to work overtime. However, around 7 PM, her grandmother called to ask when she would be coming home. Although her grandmother was there, Freya knew she should return home earlier, yet there were still many thoughts she hadn’t sorted out, and she was reluctant to leave her work unfinished.

After a moment of hesitation, she replied, “Sorry, Grandma, I have to work overtime, so I’ll be home later.”

Her grandmother sighed, “Matteo is busy, and you are too. The two of you, with things like this… when will you make progress?”