Chapter 362

Preston suddenly broke the silence.

Neil replied with ease, “I bought it, man. You know, when you’re dining with a lady, you can’t just chug down beer. What if we three blokes get too sloshed and start spouting nonsense?”

There was a brief silence.

Neil added, “I’m all about keeping ladies safe, Ms. Dawson. You can rest assured, you’re in good hands here. After dinner, you’re more than welcome to crash here. No one’s gonna bother you, promise.”

Freya glanced at Preston and said, “I wouldn’t want to impose.”

“Ms. Dawson, relax. We didn’t even prepare a spare room for you.” Hans’s blunt comment seemed to drop the room’s temperature.

Oblivious to his faux pas, Hans only realized something was off when he caught Neil shooting him a glare.

Silence filled the room once more.

Had he misspoken? Hans looked at Preston, seeking some sort of affirmation. But it was a direct order from the boss himself.

Freya then turned the conversation, “Mr. Tyler, why did you want to see me? Was it just to give me this ointment?”

It seemed a bit too much fuss for just an ointment.

“Yeah, Preston, spill the beans. What’s the big reason for calling Ms. Dawson here?”

Neil was all but winking and nudging Preston.

Preston seemed to ignore the cues, his voice calm as he said, “What’s your connection with the Southern Suburb land?”

Neil face-palmed.

Why bring that up out of the blue?

“No connection at all, that’s Ronan’s venture, not mine.”

Freya was adept at navigating through these lies.

“But I heard that land was auctioned off by you?”

“I only helped with the auction, didn’t spend a dime. Do a bit of digging, Mr. Tyler, you’ll see I ain’t lying.” Freya continued eating as if nothing was amiss.

She wasn’t about to reveal her true identity as Susan, no matter how many times Preston probed.

“Let’s eat, guys! Why all the gloom? We’re off the clock, no need for all this business talk. It’s killing the vibe.”

Neil hastily tried to divert Preston’s attention. He had hoped that Preston’s teaching Freya calligraphy would be a good excuse for them to get to know each other better. But Preston had to bring up the Southern Suburb issue out of nowhere. They had already cleared Freya of any involvement with the Southern Suburb affair. Preston was just stirring up trouble with his questions.

“Freya, I value the truth,” Preston declared, casting a chill over the conversation again.

Freya had to admit, Preston had a commanding presence. Anyone else might have caved under his intense scrutiny and admitted everything.

But Freya, cool as a cucumber, replied, “I have told you nothing but the truth. If Mr. Tyler doubts me, feel free to investigate.”

“How do you know I haven’t?”

Preston’s gaze was penetrating, as if he could see right through you.

For a moment, Freya thought she had been found out, but she quickly dismissed the idea, smiling slightly, “Oh? And what did your investigation find?”

Preston didn’t respond, his gaze still fixed on Freya.