Chapter 232

Jimmy entered the restaurant and glanced at the manager. The manager was sweating, forcing a smile, but didn’t dare say anything. Seeing that the manager volunteered no information about who had caused trouble for Freya, Jimmy knew the person behind this was significant.

After switching to another restaurant, Freya had just started her meal when her phone rang twice. It was a message from Jessica. Freya casually opened it and found that Jessica had sent her two photos. The people in the photos were Matteo and Raven. She pursed her lips, didn't examine them closely, and closed the message immediately.

Just after exiting, her phone rang; it was a call from Jessica. Freya paused, then stood up and walked outside to answer: “Jessica.”

“Freya, did you look at the two photos I sent you?” Jessica’s voice was full of urgency.

Freya had only looked at one and didn’t plan on seeing the other. She said, “I saw it.”

“The first one was sent by a friend of mine last night. They saw them in a hotel. I swear, on New Year’s Eve—can you believe they went to a hotel to book a room? How shameless can they get!”

Freya’s expression didn’t change; her brows didn’t even twitch. She just gave a faint “Mm” in response.

“The second one is even worse. It’s a screenshot. She posted photos of the roses and New Year’s gifts Matteo gave her. And it was taken in the hotel, showing off as if they were so happy after the event. It really made me sick!”

Freya simply said, “Mm.”

After a brief pause, she asked, “Did you eat yet?”

“Not yet. I went out with some friends for the New Year’s Eve celebration, drank a little too much, and just woke up. I forgot to send you New Year’s wishes.”

“It’s okay,” Freya replied, “Happy New Year.”

“Mm, Happy New Year to you too, Freya,” Jessica said before remembering Matteo and Raven again. She was about to continue speaking but stopped herself and asked, “Freya, what are you doing right now?”

“I’m eating out with my grandmother and the others.”

“Oh,” Jessica scratched her head, “Sorry, I didn’t mean to spoil your mood. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have brought it up.”

“It’s fine,” Freya’s voice was soft. “Go wash up and eat something. Otherwise, your stomach will get upset.”

“I know, I know.”

They talked for a bit longer before hanging up.

After dinner, since it was still early, Freya accompanied her grandmother outside for a walk and some shopping. This time, they didn’t encounter anyone, and by the time they returned home, their mood had improved quite a bit. The Miller family didn’t have many relatives in the capital, so New Year’s was never too busy for them.

Freya had free time from the second evening of the New Year. She opened her laptop and continued to study the materials that Nolan had given her. Around 10 p.m., as she was getting ready to take a shower, her phone rang. It was a call from Matteo. Freya glanced at it but didn’t pick up, instead heading straight into the bathroom to take a shower.

After finishing her shower, she reviewed some materials. Just as she was finishing recording, she heard the sound of a car coming from outside. Freya paused, her hand halting on the mouse. She suddenly remembered the call from Matteo. Frowning, she put the mouse down, walked over to the window, and saw Isabella running out of the car, calling, “Great-grandmother!”

Freya pursed her lips and turned back to the room. She grabbed her phone to check and found that Matteo had sent her a message after she didn’t answer his call:

[I have to go abroad for work tomorrow. I’ll be gone for a few days, please take care of Isabella.]

Freya looked at the message and put the phone down. At that moment, Isabella had already run upstairs, pushing open her room door. Upon seeing her, she rushed into her arms, excited and happy, “Mom!” Freya had no choice but to stretch out her arms to catch her, preventing her from falling. But as soon as Isabella jumped into her arms, the scent of Raven’s perfume once again drifted into her nose.

Freya put down her bag and placed it on the couch. When Isabella was about to run to the bed, she stopped her and asked, “Have you showered?”

“I’ve showered already.”

But after she’d showered, there was still the lingering scent of Raven on her, meaning Raven hadn’t come to stay with her and Matteo, or that Matteo and Raven had brought her over together just now. They had simply not entered the neighborhood with her.

Freya said faintly, “You’re dirty. Change into some fresh clothes.”

Isabella remembered that she had been running around after showering and probably sweated a little. She nodded obediently and went to change into new clothes.