nocent face, Melissa argued, “Hannah, you know how stingy my dad is even though we’re rich. He even uses my own money to pay my tuition fees.”
Freya’s mouth twitched as she listened. Hannah, however, believed that and furrowed her brows in thought for a while. “Is it really that bad?”
“Yes, yes!”
“My situation is better. Radley gives me an allowance every month, so I can share some with you.”
Melissa’s eyes lit up. “Hannah, you’re such a good friend.”
The women and Edward were students at Evergreen University, so they raised their voices to converse with him. “Edward, don’t you have a basketball game this afternoon?”
Glancing nervously at Freya, Edward replied. “The basketball game got canceled.”
“Why was it canceled?”
Edward hesitated. “One of our key players had to take leave.” That key player was him.
From a distance away. Jamie glanced at his younger brother and then at Freya.
Landon continued questioning Jamie, “Mr. Fraser, you mentioned a trading company. Do you mind mentioning it more specifically?”
Since he usually worked on the frontlines at The Green Flamation forum and had experienced many life- or-death situations, he had a very sharp intuition.
Ever since he met Jamie, he could sense the other was no ordinary person, so he kept asking questions so that he could ensure Freya’s safety.
Freya looked at the atmosphere at the dining table and silently glanced at Braxton.
Braxton was still talking to Ayden.
Only Matthew had some free time. Even while causing mischief, he didn’t forget about Freya. “Frey, have some juice,”
Freya took the juice handed to her. “Thank you.”
As the waiter came in with the food, the atmosphere at the table finally became somewhat normal.
Freya ate her meal while Braxton peeled a shrimp for her. “Mr. Lane also visited you while you were at the hospital. Why didn’t you invite him today?”
With a smile, Freya replied, “Mr. Lane is getting old. I’m afraid he won’t feel comfortable with all of us.”
Inviting Brandon meant inviting Trisha as well. Based on the atmosphere at the table just now, she didn’t want to annoy Brandon.
Freya whispered, “I’ll organize another gathering tomorrow and invite Dr. Griffiths and Mr. Lane. They’re all up there in age, so they will have more common topics when they’re together.”
Braxton smiled. “Sure. You’re becoming more mature now.”
Halfway through the meal, Matthew received a phone call and went to the balcony to answer it.
Freya also wanted to go out for some fresh air. When she reached the balcony, she heard a cold voice coming from a corner.
“Can you all not interfere too much in my affairs?”
It was Matthew’s voice.
When she looked in that direction, she saw a figure standing in the shadows of the balcony. Matthew had his back to her, holding a cigarette between his fingers.
Under the dim light, he looked very lonely. “I never wanted to take over the Hood Group, and I wasn’t your first choice either, wasn’t I?”
Freya’s lips twitched, realizing Matthew was also in a difficult position. His parents had always favored his younger brother, and only after his brother’s death did he reluctantly take over the Hood Group.
Taking a few steps forward, Freya wanted to comfort Matthew.
But just as she approached, she heard a faint voice coming from the phone.
“Matthew, our family will absolutely not accept a divorced woman who is also pregnant!”
It was Tripp’s roaring voice.
Freya paused. Maybe I shouldn’t be here.
Then, Matthew’s voice turned cold. “She has a name-Freya Kaufmann-not some divorced woman! You were always so polite when meeting with Braxton, but now you’re badmouthing his sister behind his back? When the Monaghan Group attacked the Hood Group, you wanted our family to be on good terms with the Kaufmanns, yet now you’re slandering against her. Do you think this is appropriate?”
Just as Freya was about to leave, the figure suddenly turned around.
The moment their eyes met, she saw his cold expression suddenly turn tense..
A short moment later, Matthew hung up the phone, and his face returned to its usual carefree look.
“Frey, why are you out here? Is it too stuffy inside?”
Freya nodded. “Yes. Came out for some fresh air.
Matthew immediately extinguished the cigarette in the nearby ashtray and smiled. “It’s chilly at night. You shouldn’t stay in the cold for too long. Let’s go back.”
With furrowed eyebrows, Freya looked at the anxious man.
“Matthew
“What’s the matter?”
Freya pursed her lips. “You can explain to your parents. We’re just friends.”
“Just friends?” Matthew emphasized each word and then turned around while laughing suddenly. “Why? Is it because of what Radley did to the Hood Group?”
“Not just that.” Freya furrowed her brows. “Our original agreement was to put on an act. I didn’t plan on actually dating you.”
Matthew stood still for a moment, lost in thought.
Freya hoped he would understand. After spending time together recently, she had come to understand him to some extent.
Although he seemed carefree and had a reputation as a playboy, he was a loyal friend. Otherwise, Braxton wouldn’t have been friends with him for so many years.
That’s why she strongly opposed the idea of having Matthew pretend to be the child’s father in the first place.
But when she fainted, and Radley brought her to the hospital, Matthew’s sudden appearance and announcement that he was the father left the situation with no more wiggle room.
However, she had never intended to let Matthew marry her or let him go against his parent’s wishes,
The balcony fell silent, and Matthew pondered for more than ten seconds. “Not just that? Does that mean this is also a part of the reason?”
Freya became anxious. “I don’t have romantic feelings for you. I only see you as a friend.”
“Feelings can be cultivated. Matthew’s eyes dimmed. It seemed that Radley was a big hurdle in their relationship.
Freya wanted to say something, but the balcony door suddenly opened.
Jamie stood at the door, looking somewhat surprised, then politely smiled. “Did I disturb you?”
“No, you came at the right time. Matthew walked toward the private room. “Frey, don’t stay outside in the cold. Come inside.
Originally, Freya planned to have a conversation with Matthew, but Jamie suddenly appeared and interrupted them.
Seeing Matthew leave, Freya sighed.
Jamie looked at her. “Miss Kaufmann, are you feeling down?”
Freya glanced at him.
In the dark of the night, Jamie smiled elegantly and politely at her, but it just made her feel uneasy.
She kept having the feeling that Jamie’s timing was too perfect. It was not just a coincidence.
But-
Freya smiled. “No, I’m not. I’ll be heading inside first.”
Perhaps she was overthinking. Before she had asked Edward to be her assistant, she did a background check on the Fraser family.
So there shouldn’t be any problems.
“Alright.” Jamie stepped aside and watched as Freya entered the house.
Once the dinner ended in the evening, Freya instructed Edward to send Melissa back to the villa near Evergreen University that she owned.
She wasn’t worried about Brisa, Inken, and Landon. If they really encountered any thugs or robbers, it would be easy as pie for them to deal with those thugs
Later, Freya asked Ayden to send Aya home while Matthew left in his own car.
After arranging for everyone to return home, Freya and Braxton left the hotel together.
