She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Improvisation At a crossroads, Gerard chose the right path, while Kristian deliberately veered in the wrong direction.

He watched, curious about Freya's next move.

But Freya didn't waste a moment contemplating her choice. Whether consciously or not, between Kristian and Gerard, she would instinctively follow Gerard.

This lesson had been ingrained in her by Kristian himself.

Gerard glimpsed his boss heading astray and paused to call out, "Sir, Miss Briggs's room lies this way-you've taken a wrong turn." Kristian pivoted back toward them.

The tresumed their journey together.

Kristian's eyes settled on Freya, who maintained perfect composure. "How did you know which way was correct?" "It's always right to follow Gerard's lead," Freya answered, dissolving his suspicions with those simple words. Both men lapsed into silence.

Gerard fidgeted inwardly, genuinely worried about potential misinterpretations of his relationship with Freya. He'd accompanied her shopping, arranged her meals, and served as her chauffeur whenever she ventured out. What if his boss began to suspect something more? The thought truly unsettled him! Kristian sighed with frustration, yet noting Freya's ordinary demeanor, he hastened his steps toward Ethel's hospital room.

He was merely testing Freya; business matters could be delegated later.

Meanwhile, Hugh smoothed his attire and asked Ethel to verify his appearance before inquiring, "Do I project authority?" "Absolutely," Ethel responded.

"You mean it?" he pressed.

She nodded firmly. "Without question!" "Enough to intimidate Kristian?" he ventured further.

"That's difficult to predict..." she replied candidly.

In her experience, Kristian had never cowered before anyone; others always feared him instead.

Hugh recognized this truth, and his expression hardened as he contemplated how to assert dominance over 0.0% 2 15:38 111 O < Chapter 26 Improvisation Kristian.

After all, he needed to confront the man who had hurt his daughter! Just as these thoughts circled his mind, his secretary opened the door and announced with professional crispness, "Mr. Briggs, Mr. Kristian Shaw from Shaw Group has arrived." "Send him in," Hugh directed.

"Right away." The secretary promptly escorted the visitors inside.

Conducting business in a hospital room marked a first for both Hugh and Kristian.

Kristian entered with Freya at his side, greeted Hugh, and throughout, scrutinized the reactions of both Hugh and Ethel.

Yet he observed nothing remarkable.

Hugh and Ethel regarded Freya with complete indifference, as though she were a stranger among them. After exchanging courtesies and offering well-wishes for Ethel's recovery, Kristian 'broached the business matter with Hugh.

"Mr. Shaw, you expressed interest in our Briggs Group's latest venture. Which specific project catches your attention?" Hugh inquired with outward politeness, though his bearing reflected years of corporate command.

Freya's gaze flickered momentarily. She sensed a shift in her father's presence. What escaped her notice was Hugh's underlying displeasure with Kristian.

Bringing her along without proper introduction suggested to Hugh that Kristian disregarded her daughter entirely.

This unspoken grievance cast a cold edge over Hugh.

Kristian detected Hugh's hostility but dismissed it as possibly imagined. "The artificial intelligence initiative." "We manage several Al projects. Which one specifically?" Hugh countered swiftly, his eyes locked on Kristian. "The Al robotics development," Kristian clarified.

"That particular venture shows promise, but we've already secured a partnership elsewhere," Hugh stated. "I see." Kristian hadn't cwith serious business intentions anyway.

His gaze drifted toward Freya briefly, his lips curving into a knowing smile. "I wonder, Mr. Briggs, do you have daughters beyond Ethel Briggs?" "What exactly are you implying?" Hugh responded with practiced ease. Ethel glanced up, suddenly attentive. Kristian, measured and deliberate, explained, "Recently in Jeucwell, I encountered someone cl daughter. I wondered if perhaps you had another daughter." g your "My dad has only one daughter," Ethel declared from her bed, her voice carrying youthful certainty. Hugh maintained his poise, responding with a touch of humor, "Such rumors are merely gossip. I've even heard 27.8% 15.38 +x+ #m 111 m2 P mo < Chapter 26 Improvisation numerous claims from people eager to bear your children." "No doubt," Kristian replied, settling into the casual exchange.

Ethel struggled to control her wandering gaze, which repeatedly drifted toward Freya.

On her tenth glance, Kristian looked up and inquired softly, "Miss Briggs, are you acquainted with my wife?" Freya tensed with worry. Would her sister reveal her true identity? "She's your wife?" Ethel finally gazed openly at her sister.

Kristian offered an ambiguous response. "For the moment." "For the moment?" Hugh pressed.

"We're proceeding with divorce," Kristian stated evenly, carefully observing Hugh's reaction.

If Hugh were truly Freya's father, surely he would bristle at this revelation.

Yet Hugh betrayed no emotional response. He wasn't one to pry into others' personal affairs or engage in idte gossip. Questioning further would risk exposing her daughter's identity and potentially derailing her plans. Ethel seized the opportunity to confront Kristian, excitedly turning to Hugh, "Dad, don't you think Mr. Shaw's wife resembles someone from our past?" Hugh's puzzled eyes silently asked, "What are you doing?" Ethel looked back, as if saying, "I'm showing Kristian that Freya has allies." Hugh's concerned look warned, "Don't expose Freya!" Ethel's eyes reassured, "Trust me, I know what I'm doing." Hugh remained unconvinced, anxiety evident in his expression.

"Who?" Hugh interrupted their silent exchange with a verbal question.

"My bodyguard from elementary school, Freya," Ethel improvised, her eyes sparkling with calculated excitement.

Hugh and Freya both fell silent.

Kristian's brow creased slightly as he murmured, "Bodyguard?" "Freya?" Hugh cautiously played along. He genuinely floundered for a response; this deviation wasn't part of their planned script.

Ethel, skilled in improvisation, crafted a fictional past while subtly implicating her father. "When was nine, don't you remember bringing En ha girl five years my senior? You assigned her to protect me, ensuring I wouldn't face bullying outside school."

Hugh's forehead wrinkled in concentration. How should he respond? Pretend to recall this fabricated memory or continue Ο feigning ignorance? Sheila was om indeed five years younger than Mina. But without prepared lines for this unexpected scenario, he dared not speak carelessly, fearing one wrong word might unravel everything.

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