Chapter 30

Remembering their elegant yet sharp-tongued professor, Freya's smile faded slightly. “I saw in the news that the professor came back for the celebration. How is the old man?”

“He’s well, just extremely annoyed by his disgraceful students like us showing up before him every now and then.”

Freya laughed, nostalgic for the days when their mentor would press them to write papers.

Johnny said, “Come back, Freya.” Freya gripped her teacup tighter, took a deep breath, and nodded. “Alright.”

She had been studying artificial intelligence since childhood and truly loved the field. She had abandoned her dreams for six or seven years because of her love for Matteo. After being away so long, catching up might take considerable time. But she believed that with effort, it wasn’t too late.

Johnny asked, “When can you return?”

“I need to wait for someone to take over my current work; it might take some time.”

“That’s fine; there’s no rush,” he replied. She was coming back; what was a little more waiting?

After chatting a while longer, Johnny checked the time. “My team introduced me to a genius in algorithms. They just returned to the country recently. We’re meeting shortly—since you’re here, why not join us?”

Freya shook her head. “Alright then.” She wasn't familiar with his team members. Maybe next time.

Just as Johnny left, Freya saw Matteo’s sister, Maria, approaching. She had seen her in the news, but hadn't expected to run into her by chance. She greeted her: “Hi Maria.”

Maria didn’t respond, frowning. “Why are you here?”

“It’s T University’s celebration today; I came back to look around.”

If Freya hadn’t mentioned it, Maria would have forgotten she was also a T University graduate. But besides current faculty and students, those returning were mostly invited honorary alumni. Maria likely wondered what a nobody like Freya was doing there.

Chapter 30

Maria, unconcerned as long as Freya didn't cause a scene and embarrass Matteo's family, got straight to the point. “David says he wants to eat your cooking. I’ll have someone send him to you and Matteo’s place later.”

David is Maria’s son, a year or two older than Isabella. Maria and her husband had a strained relationship, and she had barely supervised her child in recent years due to work. Their child had grown increasingly rebellious, and she found him difficult to control.

Learning that her son liked Freya’s cooking, Maria had been sending him whenever possible these past two years. Except for the old madam (presumably Matteo's mother), no one in Matteo’s family took Freya seriously. Children that age were expert copycats. Though Maria’s son liked her cooking, he looked down on her, treating her almost like a servant.

Previously, for Matteo’s sake, Freya had devoted herself to caring for Maria’s child, not taking the disrespect to heart. But now that she and Matteo were preparing for a divorce, she no longer wanted to compromise herself for him.

So Freya refused directly. “Sorry, Maria, I’m busy tomorrow.” Returning to her professional field, she would focus her time on what truly mattered. After the divorce, she would have no connection to either Matteo or Maria. She wouldn’t waste her time on them anymore.

Maria hadn’t expected Freya to refuse. After all, Freya had often lowered herself to please Matteo’s family for his sake. However, Maria didn’t think much of it. Freya had never refused her before, so when she said she was busy, Maria assumed she must truly be occupied—how else could she pass up an opportunity to curry favor? Still, she wasn’t pleased. “With neither Matteo nor Bella by your side, what important matters could you possibly have?”

Freya couldn’t help but laugh bitterly inside. All these years, she had abandoned herself, centering her life around Matteo and their daughter, constantly revolving around them. Such an assessment from Maria was indeed fair. But she wouldn’t be like this anymore.

Chapter 30

Just as she was about to respond, several people approached. “Maria!”

They were clearly looking for Maria. Seeing Freya, they looked her over and asked, “Maria, who is this?”

Maria didn’t introduce her as her sister-in-law, just said coldly, “A friend.”

“Oh, a friend…” They, like Maria, were distinguished guests at T University’s celebration. Initially, they assumed Maria was speaking with someone important. Seeing Maria’s attitude toward Freya, however, aside from a few who glanced twice at her beautiful figure and long, fair legs, the others didn’t spare her another look. They flocked around Maria and quickly walked away.

Maria’s refusal to acknowledge her as a sister-in-law might have hurt Freya in the past, but now she no longer cared. After Maria left, Freya picked up her bag and departed as well.

Past ten that night, Matteo and Isabella’s flight arrived at the airport on schedule.