?Chapter 1165:


    Freya had no clue Ellis had enlisted n to help with the proposal, so naturally, she hadn’t thought about how n was supposed to act to keep up appearances.


    What she did care about was making sure her own story didn’t unravel.


    Eventually, Freya replied, “That doesn’t really work. I barely know the girl. Saying I’m helping n propose makes way more sense.”


    The two froze. That was when they realized they’d been looking at everything from an all-knowing perspective, while Freya and Ellis were each stuck in their own version of the truth.


    Thankfully, Freya hadn’t caught on.


    Freya said, “I’m counting on you two for the day after tomorrow.” They both quickly reassured her it’d be fine.


    After the chat, Freya finally put her phone down and curled up under the covers. Letting it all out had lifted the weight on her chest.


    Over the weekend, Freya and Ellis stayed home, each silently wrapped in their own thoughts—both quietly counting down the moments until Monday arrived.


    That evening, Kristian and Gerard made their way to Alerith.


    Returning to this city after several months away stirred something deep in Kristian—a strange, tangled knot of emotions he couldn’t quite put into words.


    “Sir, didn’t you say I’d be handling the negotiations? Then why are you here?” Gerard finally broke the silence once they’d checked into the hotel.


    Kristian answered with cool indifference, “There’s something I need to take care of.”


    “What is it?” Gerard pressed, a note of curiosity threading through his voice.


    Kristian didn’t reply right away. He stood by the window, gazing out at the endless stream of cars and the glow of the city lights. After a prolonged silence, he finally murmured in a low, gravelly voice, “Something important.”


    Gerard, ever perceptive, caught on instantly. When it came to anything Kristian deemed important, it must be about Freya.


    “Is Ms. Briggs…?”


    “Get some rest,” Kristian cut him off before he could say more, clearly not in the mood to continue. “Tomorrow, take care of the negotiations as I instructed. If the other side refuses to budge, drop the project.”


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    “Are we not willing topromise?”


    “Not in the slightest.” Kristian’s tone was absolute.


    The Shaw Group was thriving. Holding steady was more than enough for now.


    As for anything beyond that, he no longer cared.


    “Understood,” Gerard said simply and turned to leave.


    Once the door clicked shut behind him, Kristian remained alone in the room.


    He stood by the window, eyes fixed on the blur of movement outside—glistening stars above, the restless city below. His gaze settled toward the direction where Freya was.


    At exactly ten o’clock, Felipe arrived.


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