Chapter 228
Chapter 228 Fireworks
"By the way," Trent remarked, adjusting his glasses in that habitual, absentminded way that gave him an almost
professorial charm, "Melvin, what made you decide to becMina's assistant back then?"
Melvin hesitated, the cool sharpness in his eyes flickering with a rare hint of uncertainty, as though the question
had genuinely caught him off guard.
"The opportunity cup, and | couldn't pass it up," he replied swiftly, his tone effortlessly smooth, the answer
polished to perfection.
Trent's gaze lifted slightly, a knowing smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth, though he chose not to
elaborate.
Freya caught his reaction, confused by whatever unspoken meaning lingered there, but unable to grasp it fully.
She let it go without pressing, continuing to chat with her friends in an easy, offhand way.
Alan noticed the sky slowly shifting into dusk. After checking the time, he said, "You guys keep chatting, | need to
get a few things ready."
This was the moment they'd been building toward all evening, and he couldn't afford a single misstep.
Freya didn't think much of it and waved him off without question.
Once he disappeared, Freya finally asked the question she'd been biting back ever since Alan arrived, "Has the
Captain mentioned when he's coming back?"
"Why so curious?" Trent asked, eyebrows raised with genuine interest. "Did you do something to tick him off?"
"No." Freya's denial cquick and firm.
Trent adjusted his glasses again, the skepticism in his expression hard to miss.
Mina's behavior lately had been far too unlike herself.
Freya knew better than to run her mouth. "Just tellif he's gotten in touch with you."
"He has," Trent admitted without hesitation.
Freya's eyes widened, caught off guard. "Seriously? What'd he say?"
"He's planning a surprise return on the 7th," Trent answered, pulling out his phone
to show her the chat. "He mentioned he wants a gathering."
Freya scanned the screen.
It was there, plain as day: the 7th, with strict instructions not to let her know.
She had plans to meet Josiah on the 6th. If all went smoothly, she could wrap things up and catch a flight
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Chapter 228 Fireworks
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Once the Captain was gone again, or too preoccupied, she'd make her return without giving him tto dredge
up the past, keeping herself in the clear
"What's with the look?" Trent asked, watching her expression shift.
Freya fibbed with practiced ease. "Nothing. Just wondering what we'll even talk about when the Captain's back.
Without those four around, the vibe might get a little... quiet."
She was calm by nature. So was Trent. And the Captain? Even quieter.
Frederick was the only one who could talk a mile a minute.
But in their captain's presence, even Frederick would tone it down-for a bit, at least.
"We don't need chatter," Trent replied, fully aware of the dynamic.
He and Frederick were just supporting characters. Their captain's eyes were only ever on Freya.
But Freya still hadn't figured that out.
She didn't think too deeply. "Really?"
"He'll probably make us do a fitness check," Trent said with a teasing glint, half- joking "That alone will bring
the energy back up."
"l see...",
The conversation never really left Melvin out. He was in the know-at least a little- but rarely said anything
unless necessary.
"Just messing with you, don't take it too seriously," Trent said with a chuckle, noticing her slight frown. "It's
late. Let's eat and chat over dinner."
"Alright," Freya agreed.
The three of them stood and left the gazebo, making their way across the vast, open lawn.
As Freya approached, she spotted Alan in the distance, seemingly deep in conversation with Ethel and Frederick,
surrounded by strange, square-shaped objects.
It was dark, and they were a good thirty meters away-too far to make anything out clearly.
Just as she was about to step closer, Trent gently held her back. "Here's good." Freya blinked at him, confused.
The next second, the meaning behind his words revealed itself in spectacular fashion.
Each of them held something sparking with flame, walking steadily toward the boxes.
Then ca thunderous crack, and vibrant fireworks exploded into the night, bathing the sky in color and light.
More bursts followed in rapid succession.
The fireworks painted the heavens like a masterpiece.
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< Chapter 220 Fireworks
Freya stood rooted, her eyes gleaming with awe, the colors mirrored in their
depths.
While she watched the sky, Melvin was watching her.
Another firework went off with a resounding bang, this one enormous, blooming
into a glowing message. "Mina, we love you!"
The words lingered for a long moment before shattering into a cascade of
immering lights, like shooting stars tearing across the dark.
"Mina! | love you!"
"Freya, | love you!"
"Mina, we love you!"
Ethel, Frederick, Alan, and Hugh stood by the launchers, shouting declarations of
love without the slightest bit
of shame.
Freya's chest tightened, her throat prickling with emotion.
She wasn't one to cry easily, but seeing them run toward her, her eyes turned
glassy.
Trent reached out and gently ruffled her hair, his touch affectionate and warm. "Mina, welcback."
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Welcback." Melvin's normally stoic face softened, his voice quiet but heartfelt.
Freya tufned away, eyes welling up with tears.
Ethel sprinted over and flung herself into Freya's arms. "Mina!"
Freya caught her in a tight hug.
Alan, Frederick, and Hugh followed close behind.
"When did you guys plan all this?" Freya asked once she'd managed to collect
herself.
"Ever since you cback, we've been trying to figure out how to help you unwind," Ethel said, stepping back
with a glowing smile. "Then | remembered you said you liked fireworks, so... we
did this."
The place was stunning, secluded from the city, a perfect little haven for peace
and quiet.
Freya felt her heart bloom with gratitude. "Thank you, all of you."
"Mina," Ethel said, producing a petite bouquet of daisies and offering it with both hands, her eyes filled with
nothing but admiration. "This is for you. I'll always love
you."
Then, one by one, the rest handed Freya their own small daisy bouquets, even Melvin.
Freya accepted each with care, feeling all the weight she'd been carrying melt
away.
"These may not be the prettiest flowers, Freya," Frederick said, beaming with both fondness and admiration, “but
they say everything we feel. We'll always love you." Ethel's grin deepened, her eyes curved like half-moons. "I'll
always love you,
Mina!"
Daisies-eternal love made tangible.
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Freya embraced them all "Thank you"
"The surprises aren't done yet," Ethel said brightly, tugging Freya along "We've
got dinner set up over there. And | made the cutest cake just for you"
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