window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/23285628806/Contentad', [[200, 446], [480, 320], [580, 400], [250, 360], [300, 1050], [160, 600], [300, 600], [250, 350], [320, 480], [336, 280], [240, 400], [300, 250]], 'div-gpt-ad-1740746507096-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); });

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1740746507096-0'); });

Chapter24 Chapter 24 “Freya,didheapologize?” “ Freya , did he apologize ? ” Audrey’squestioncaughtFreyaoffguard,andwithaslytwistofherhead,sheglancedatKieran Audrey’s question caught Freya off guard , and with a sly twist of her head , she glanced at Kieran SensingFreya’smischievousintentandfearingshemightspewnonsensebeforeAudrey,KieranwalkedforwardtograbFreyabythearm.“Grandma,excuseme.Ms.DawsonandIneedtotalkinprivate.We’llbeupstairs? Sensing Freya’s mischievous intent and fearing she might spew nonsense before Audrey , Kieran walked forward to grab Freya by the arm . “ Grandma , excuse me . Ms. Dawson and I need to talk in private . We’ll be upstairs ? Withthat,KieranpulledFreyaupthestairsinlongstrides. With that , Kieran pulled Freya up the stairs in long strides . Caughtbysurprise,Audreycalledout,“Kieran! Mydearboy,begentle…She’salady!IfyoumistreatFreya,Iwon’tletyouoffthehook!Upstairs,Kieran threwFreyaontothebedandlockedthebedroom door. Caught by surprise , Audrey called out , “ Kieran ! My dear boy , be gentle … She’s a lady ! If you mistreat Freya , I won’t let you off the hook ! Upstairs , Kieran threw Freya onto the bed and locked the bedroom door . “Mr.Sutton,what’sthemeaningofthis?”Leaningagainsttheheadboard,FreyateasedKieranatthedoor,“Doingthis…whatwouldMs.Harwoodthink?Shemightgetjealous,youknow.” “ Mr. Sutton , what’s the meaning of this ? ” Leaning against the headboard , Freya teased Kieran at the door , “ Doing this … what would Ms. Harwood think ? She might get jealous , you know . ” “Freya!”Kieranapproached,hisgriptighteningaroundherneck,hisvoicecold,“HaveIbeentoolenientwithyou?Whogaveyouthenervetoshowupatmyplace?” “ Freya ! ” Kieran approached , his grip tightening around her neck , his voice cold , “ Have I been too lenient with you ? Who gave you the nerve to show up at my place ? ” “Audreymissedme.Ofcourse,Ihadtocomeandsee her.”Freyatiltedherheadback,meetingKieran’sforcewithoutfear.Despitehisgrip,sheknewhewouldn’ttrulyharmher. “ Audrey missed me . Of course , I had to to come and see her . ” Freya tilted her head back , meeting Kieran’s force without fear . Despite his grip , she knew he wouldn’t truly harm her . / <![CDATA[ / fpm_start( "true" ); / ]]> / SeeingthecunninginFreya’seyesonlyfueledKieran’sanger.“AreyounotafraidImightstrangleyou?” Seeing the cunning in Freya’s eyes only fueled Kieran’s anger . “ Are you not afraid I might strangle you ? ” “Mr.Sutton,you’vebeenmakinglifehellfortheDawsonGroup,justtoseemebeg,haven’tyou?Ifyoukillme,whowillyouwatchplead?” “ Mr. Sutton , you’ve been making life hell for the Dawson Group , just to see me beg , haven’t you ? If you kill me , who will you watch plead ? ” Afterhearingthosewords,Kieranletoutacoldlaugh,releasingFreya,“Quiteinsightfulofyou.Wellthen,let’sseehowyouplantobegformercy.” After hearing those words , Kieran let out a cold laugh , releasing Freya , “ “ Quite insightful of you . Well then , let’s see how you plan to beg for mercy .” Kieransettledonanearbycouch,pickingupaglassofredwineandwaitingtoseeFreyagrovel. Kieran settled on a nearby couch , picking up a glass of red wine and waiting to see Freya grovel .

window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/23285628806/Contentad', [[160, 600], [300, 1050], [580, 400], [320, 480], [200, 446], [240, 400], [250, 360], [336, 280], [250, 350], [480, 320], [300, 250], [300, 600]], 'div-gpt-ad-1740746529960-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); });

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1740746529960-0'); }); Sittingupfromthebed,Freyaslowlybegan,“Thefactoryinthewestend,downtowndevelopmentprojects,the15thofeverymonth’soverseastrade,andIbelievetheSuttonGroupalsorunsamajorauctionhouse,dealinginbillionsannually.You’refamiliarwiththese,aren’tyou,Mr.Sutton?” Sitting up from the bed , Freya slowly began , “ The factory in the west end , downtown development projects , the 15th of every month’s overseas trade , and I believe the Sutton Group also runs a major auction house , dealing in billions annually . You’re familiar with these , aren’t you , Mr. Sutton ? ” Witheverymention,Kieran’ssmirkfadedabit more.ThesewereallpartoftheSuttonGroup’sdarkerventures,includingillicitdealings.Suchmatters,letalonetosomeoneassupposedly shelteredasFreya,wereknownonlytoafewhigh–levelexecutiveswithintheircompanybutnotwiththedetailFreyapossessed. With every mention , Kieran’s smirk faded a bit more . These were all part of the Sutton Group’s darker ventures , including illicit dealings . Such matters , let alone to someone as supposedly sheltered as Freya , were known only to a few high – level executives within their company but not with the detail Freya possessed . SeeingKieransilent,Freyacontinued,“Mr.Sutton,IexpectyoutopullbackonyourschemesagainsttheDawsonGroup.Otherwise,I canmakethesesecretspublic.IfboththeSuttonandDawsonGroupgodown,wewouldn’tbeataloss.” Seeing Kieran silent , Freya continued , “ Mr. Sutton , I expect you you to pull back on your schemes against the Dawson Group . Otherwise , I can make these secrets public . If both the Sutton and Dawson Group Group go go down , we wouldn’t be at a loss . ” “Freya!Areyouthreateningme?”Kieran’svoicewaslacedwithdanger.Freyawas thefirsttodarethreatenhimsobrazenly. “ Freya ! Are you threatening me ? ” Kieran’s voice was laced with danger . Freya was the first to dare threaten him so brazenly . “Mr.Sutton,Idon’tprovokeunlessprovoked.Wecouldpartwaysamicably.YouwithdrawyourmovesagainsttheDawsonGroup,andI’lkeepthesesecrets.Fair,isn’tit?” “ Mr. Sutton , I don’t provoke unless provoked . We could part ways amicably . You withdraw your moves against the Dawson Group , and I’l keep these secrets . Fair , isn’t it ? ” “Freya,ontheonehand,youtalkaboutbreakingoffourengagement,andontheother,you cozyuptoGrandmatosecureyourposition.Andyoudareto talkaboutpartingwaysamicably?”Kieranscoffedcoldly,“Ifitweren’tforEllie’sgenerosityinnotholdingagrudgeagainstyou,Iwouldn’thave settled forafewlostdealsfortheDawsonGroup.” “ Freya , on the one hand , you talk about breaking off our engagement , and on the other , you cozy up to Grandma to secure your your position . And you dare to talk about parting ways amicably ? ” Kieran scoffed coldly , “ If it weren’t for Ellie’s generosity in not not holding a grudge against you , I wouldn’t have settled for a few lost deals for the Dawson Group . ” Freyaaskedcalmly,“So,there’snoroomfornegotiation?” Freya asked calmly , “ So , there’s no room for negotiation ? ” “Whatdoyouthink?” “ What do you think ? ” FreyaknewKieranwasn’teasilyintimidated.Hervisitwasmoreofawarning,aremindertokeepthingsincheck.Pushedintoacorner,evenadogwould jumpoverawall,letaloneher.Shewasn’tanyone’spushover. Freya knew Kieran wasn’t easily intimidated . Her visit was more of a warning , a reminder to keep things in check . Pushed into a corner , even a dog would jump over a wall , let alone her . She wasn’t anyone’s pushover. “Mr.Sutton,caretomakeawagerwithme?” “ Mr. Sutton , care to make a wager with me ? ” Kieranwascurious.“Awageronwhat?” Kieran was curious . “ A wager on what ? ” L L

window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []}; googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.defineSlot('/23285628806/Contentad', [[160, 600], [300, 250], [300, 600], [250, 350], [480, 320], [336, 280], [240, 400], [300, 1050], [200, 446], [580, 400], [250, 360], [320, 480]], 'div-gpt-ad-1740746541163-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); googletag.enableServices(); });

googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1740746541163-0'); });