The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

"Where is Ms. Dawson? How would I know?" Ronan played the innocent card flawlessly.

"You don't know? Then I'll have to send someone to search the place myself," Kieran said, his lips curling with a frosty smirk.

He had seen a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Freya. He refused to believe Freya had suddenly sprouted wings and flown away.

As Kieran approached the dining table, Jarrett rushed over, looking anxious, "Mr. Sutton, Mrs. Sutton is here!"

Hearing that, Kieran paused mid-step.

Unfazed, Ronan retorted, "Mr. Sutton, we're both prominent figures in Echo City despite the rumors of our discord. If you're seeking to embarrass me, this excuse seems far-fetched. After all, sneaking around with Mr. Sutton's ex-fiancée for a scandalous headline sounds a bit cliché, doesn't it?"

Kieran's brows knitted deeper, and Jarrett jumped in, "Mr. Sutton, Mrs. Sutton's pressing you to join her. And getting into it with Mr. Beckett here at Taste Terrace ain't smart. Maybe..."

After a tense stare-down with Ronan and spotting the smug look in his eyes, Kieran's demeanor turned even colder as he decisively said, "Let's go."

"Okay." Flavia, who had intended to bid Ronan farewell, could only hurry after Kieran as he strode away. Her high heels made it difficult to keep pace. Showing no intention of waiting, Kieran quickened his steps, leaving Flavia trailing him, her frustration evident.

Once they were gone, Ronan tapped on the table, signaling, "They're gone. Come on out."

Freya emerged from her hiding spot beneath the table, her legs covered in bruises, exacerbated by the cramped space.

Seeing Freya, usually so shrewd, caught in such a comical situation, Ronan said, "I'll have someone escort you out the back door unnoticed." Through gritted teeth, Freya replied, "Well, thanks for that."

Ronan had had the opportunity to

dismiss Kieran earlier but Cnet

instead to provoke him with his lengthy speech, evidently enjoying the drama.

At that moment, a waiter approached Freya. "Ms. Dawson, please follow me out before that gentleman returns."

Indeed. Who knew when Kieran might take an unpredictable turn?

Freya nodded. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." The waiter swiftly

guided Freya through a discreet passageway common in high-end

establishments like the Four Seasons, designed for guests

requiring privacy.

en

Outside, Ronan's car took her to the front of the hotel, where Freya saw Audrey warmly engaging with Flavia in the lobby.

It seemed Audrey was quite pleased with Flavia as her granddaughter-in-law. That gave Freya some peace of mind.

In the meantime, Kieran wasCcontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

obviously not all there at Taste

Terrace. The image of the figure he'd

seen in the hotel lingered in his mind. It must be Freya!

"Grandma, I need to use the restroom," he excused himself, though Audrey and Flavia were deep in conversation.

Audrey's smile faded slightly upon hearing Kieran's excuse. "I heard from Alex you went to Ronan's suite looking for Freya. Is that true?"