The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

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Freya swiftly pulled up before the Sutton Group's headquarters, her arrival sending a ripple of retreat through the employees gathered outside. Their glances carried a mix of curiosity and apprehension, as though Freya was some force of nature storming their calm office Unfazed by the stares, Freya went towards the entrance, her confidence unfaltering.

Soon, Jarrett appeared from the maze of office cubicles, walking briskly towards her. "Ms. Dawson, Mr. Sutton is in a meeting right now... Would you mind waiting here for a while?"

"Wait here?" Freya glanced around, noting the sea of eyes fixed on her. It was clear they were all itching for a good laugh at her expense. Rumors of her past misadventures within the Sutton Group had made her the subject of office gossip, particularly her unreciprocated affections for Kieran.

"Do you guys not have a lounge or something?" Freya retorted with a sharp gaze.

Jarrett smiled sheepishly. "The lounges are unavailable. Mr. Sutton suggests you wait here."

"And how long is his meeting supposed to last?"novelbin

"Well, it could be half an hour if it's short, but it's hard to say."

The vague response from Jarrett was all Freya needed to understand Kieran's intention. He made her wait deliberately, perhaps as a test or a petty game.

Freya might have put up with such behavior previously, but those days were over. She was no longer someone who would simply stand by and be at the mercy of Kieran's whims.

With a light chuckle, Freya said, "If Mr. Sutton isn't in a welcoming mood, forget it. I wasn't earnestly here to take Leland away. I'll have Johanna pick him up. It's no concern of mine." Jarrett, visibly panicked, stepped forward, "Ms. Dawson, Leland is your brother..."

"I don't have a brother who wishes me dead," Freya interrupted, her tone light yet firm. "If Mr. Sutton is busy, won't bother him again. You can do whatever you see fit with Leland." Hand him to the police or send him back to the Dawson family. It's all the same to me."

"Ms. Dawson!" Jarrett blocked her path, desperation in his voice. "Mr. Sutton does care about you."

"Care about me? That's new," Freya remarked dryly, recalling how Kieran had left her stranded on the side of the road without a second thought for her safety or well-being.

"Ms. Dawson, about last night..." Jarrett began, but Freya cut him off, guessing the intention behind his words.

"Are you trying to tell me that Mr.

Sutton had a change of heart and came back for me? To make sure didn't tarnish the Sutton family's reputation by associating with Preston?" Freya had no illusions about Kieran's actions out of affection.

Freya checked her watch and added, "Tonight's Leland's birthday party. It will be quite the event with many prominent guests. If Mr. Sutton insists on not releasing Leland, we might tell everyone Mr. Sutton has invited Leland over for coffee. How Would that excuse sit with you, Jarrett?"

sts on

Jarrett's expression darkened at the suggestion, the disparity in social standing between Kieran and Leland hanging unspoken in the air.