Catherine: [Hah. Even Tom, Dick, and Harry are now messing with Freya. Tell Freya to do as she wishes. I’ll take responsibility if anything happens.]Shaun: [Wifey, you’re such a bad*ss for another woman. Have you ever considered my feelings?]Catherine replied to Shaun: [Be good.]Shaun replied: [My wife is awesome.]Chase was speechless. How did it end up a public display of affection? Enough was enough. He even had to witness them being lovey-dovey through the screen.A minute later, Catherine posted an Instagram post with the caption: [Hah, even Tom, Dick, and Harry are messing with my best friend. How infuriating.]Of course, she posted it on her account and made sure everyone was blocked, except Freya and Ryan. When Freya was scrolling through her Instagram as she had nothing to do during mealtime, she immediately commented: [What? Are you talking about me? Has Chase told you about it?]Catherine replied in an instant: [Just be brave and do it. I’ll bear the consequences
Freya was aware that Ryan was the cause of that change. However, she did not accept the transaction because she had already received pocket money once that day.Ryan sent her a message: [Accept it.]Freya: [Do you like winning girls over with money?]Ryan: [President Lynch, you’re making me look bad. You’re earning more money than I am now. I’m merely a white-collar. My life goal is to marry a pretty, capable, and wealthy woman. It’s like getting a free gift with a purchase. Unfortunately, she doesn’t like me. I have no choice but to work harder.]Freya almost laughed out loud with her head lowered.…After the banquet, Director Cartman was not in a rush to leave, so he started a conversation with a few business friends. “Let those men talk. We can head upstairs to look for Madam Wallace and the others to play poker.” A rich madam held onto Linda’s arm. Linda was delighted. She had long wished to fit into those madams’ social circle. She knew that not many from wealthy fami
As Freya was taken aback, a person suddenly flashed across her mind. She quickly hung up and called Ryan. “Do you have something to do with Director Cartman’s matter?”“Yeah. Since someone bullied you, I did some investigation.” Ryan’s tone was gentle. No one could tell that he had just decisively put the director of a listed company in a precarious situation.Freya found it astonishing. After all, he was far away in Canberra. What methods did he use to investigate things on her side so quickly? “So you were the one who arranged for the hotel waiter too?”“Freya, we must eradicate all sources of trouble.” Ryan went silent for a moment before saying profoundly, “As far as I know, Linda has been causing you trouble for many years. Despite your current identity, she still has the guts to talk bad about you in public and provoke you. Now, even the women in Melbourne dares to gossip with Linda about you behind your back. Isn’t it because they think you’re soft-hearted and easy to bully?”
Mrs. Lynch said protectively, “I heard about what happened during the wedding. Linda kept spreading rumors about our daughter. She deserves it. In my opinion, Linda is a hateful person. She might’ve offended many people. The same goes for Director Cartman. He already has one foot in the grave, but he still fools around with countless women.”“I didn’t say anything. I was just asking,” Mr. Lynch said disappointedly, “After all, we’ve lived in this place for tens of years. We had business exchanges with them, but I never knew they liked to gossip so much behind people’s backs. It’s good that we’re leaving Melbourne soon.”“That’s right. Our daughter wasn’t even gossiped about that way in Canberra.”Mrs. Lynch was utterly dissatisfied. Freya’s mood improved when she saw how her parents protected her.Two days later, she and her mom went to the mall with Dani. Mrs. Lynch bought many new clothes and food for her daughter and granddaughter.Melbourne’s atmosphere before the new year w
Ryan said, “Don’t worry. I won’t knock on your door and intrude. I’ll wait for you near your house and we’ll count down to the new year together tonight.”“I don’t need you to have a countdown with me. The reason I returned from Canberra is to celebrate the new year with my parents.”Freya was so annoyed that she wanted to lash out at someone.The other side of the phone went silent. After that, Ryan said resignedly, “I’ll look for a hotel and stay there for a night, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”He backed down all of a sudden. Freya was not used to it. “Are you going to be alone tonight?”“It’s okay. I didn’t think things through. Accompanying your parents is far more important.”“Since you know that, why don’t you go celebrate New Year’s Eve with your parents?” Freya wished to persuade him to return. She would feel guilty if she left him alone when he came to look for her from a distant place. “Go back. I’ll pay for your plane tickets.”“I’d admire you if you’re able to get ti
Ryan: [Okay. I’ll be good and wait for you.]He sent a kissing emoji afterward.Freya: [If you keep sending those, I won’t go over anymore.]Ryan quickly sent another obedient emoji.…About ten minutes later, she arrived at the hotel room door. The door opened just after she pressed on the doorbell.Warm air greeted her. Freya strangely started feeling nervous. Actually, it had only been seven or eight days since the last time she met Ryan. However, they both felt as though they had not met in a long time when they saw each other on New Year’s Eve in Melbourne.Inside the room, Ryan wore a khaki-colored sweater with the collar of a checkered shirt peeking out of the sweater’s neckline. He wore a pair of long casual pants below, which outlined his legs well. His aura was soft, just like a piece of gentle and clean gemstone. However, his eyes seemed pretty tired. They were even bloodshot.Had he been very exhausted lately?“Hi, Happy New Year’s Eve.” Ryan lowered his head and l
Freya glared at him with a blushing face. “Who’s your mother-in-law? Be careful with your words.”“I’m already being very careful.” Ryan raised his eyebrows. He smiled. “My desire to marry you was only 50 percent before, but now it’s 100 percent after tasting this food. If I don’t marry you, I won’t be able to taste such delicious food every year.”Freya knew he was half-serious and half-joking. She felt utterly powerless at that moment. “You might think that my mom’s cooking is mediocre after eating more kinds of food here. Besides, I’m very lazy. I didn’t inherit my mom’s virtuousness. I don’t know how to cook at all, and I’m usually lazy. My mom has always scolded me for that.”“Why do I need you to be virtuous and hardworking? I’m not looking for a nanny.” Ryan chuckled. “Have you seen my mom doing house chores? Before she entered the official residence, she lived a pampered life at home too.”“I can’t quibble with you.” Freya pouted. “You men always say words that are pleasa
From the moment Freya came in, she had not taken a close look at Ryan due to various reasons.She knew that he was not lying when she looked at him up close.It was impossible to say that she had no feelings at all. “I’m not the one who told you to work extra hours,” she muttered and avoided his gaze.“Yes, I did that myself because I wanted to come to visit you for New Year’s. Even if I couldn’t meet you, I had to show my determination. It’s not just empty talk. I’m really putting in the effort, and I’m sincere.”Ryan patted her dark, silky hair again and again. His gaze was unusually serious.Freya lowered her head. She did not know how to respond to that at all. She was like a tortoise hiding in her shell.After some time, she said softly, “Do you want to go to the bathroom?”Enough was enough. It was not showing signs of going down after so long. Ryan was taken aback. He suddenly laughed out loud.“Why are you laughing?” Freya glared at him as she blushed.“I don’t dar