She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 38

Chapter 38 Comforting Lionel

Frederick replied to Ethel, "After all, I'm Freya's closest confidant."

He then replied to Trent with a curt, "Not yet."

One of his other friends chimed in eagerly, "Living the high life now, aren't you? Did you snag her autograph

while you were at it?"

"This is infuriating! | begged Freya to takebefore, but she flat-out refused!" another commented.

"All this excitement over a car race? I've shared a bed with her, and you don't hearboasting about it."

Frederick shot back, "You three love-struck fools have no right to speak!" The three friends chorused with glee,

"Poor lonely heart, stew in your envy!" Frederick's irritation mounted steadily.

From his position in the passenger seat, his exasperation was plainly visible. "Freya, they're mockingas a

‘lonely heart'!" Frederick protested.

"Don't fret-I'll be joining those ranks soon myself," Freya answered thoughtfully. Frederick's expression

brightened instantly.

He hastily relayed Freya's comment back to the group, his annoyance somewhat diminished. Freya navigated the

outskirts for stime, finally arriving hat one in the morning. Stretched out on her bed, her mind

gradually settled.

A revelation dawned on her. When compared to a marriage with Kristian, solitary life brought her genuine

contentment.

She had friends with whom she could share life's peaks and valleys, and romance wasn't essential to her

existence.

nroughout the following days, Freya embraced this liberated mindset.

She devoted most of her hours to examining the materials Hugh had provided.

Had Melinda not called, she might have remained in Alerith until her divorce papers

arrived.

Seeing Melinda's nflashed on her screen, Freya initially wanted to disregard it. Yet when the device rang

again, she reluctantly answered.

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Melinda began, "Hello, Freya."

"Melinda."

"Could you cto Jeucwell?" Melinda asked, her tone carrying layers of emotion she rarely revealed, aware of

Freya's previous visit. "Lionel collapsed from fury after discovering the terrible actions Kristian took against you.

He's currently under medical care."

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Freya clutched her phone with heightened tension.

Lionel had consistently shown her exceptional kindness, surpassing even her biological grandfather's affection.

"I'll come," she conceded.

After ending the call, she notified Frederick and Ethel.

Ethel listened with concern and inquired, "May | accompany you?"

“I need to address those matters alone,” Freya explained gently to her sister. "Once your break begins, whenever

you wish to see jeucwell, I'll show your around the city,"

Ethel urged, "Please call if anything happens. Don't shoulder everything yourself."

"I will," Freya agreed with a nod.

"Mina!" Ethel called out again.

"Yes?"

"You can confide everything in me," Ethel emphasized.

Freya paused, contemplating her sister's words.

She approached Ethel, affectionately tousled her hair, and offered a gentle smile. "I'm heading out now."

Ethel insisted on driving her to the airport, a gesture Freya accepted.

By the ther plane touched down in Jeucwell, afternoon had progressed to three o'clock.

Freya secured transportation and called Melinda for the hospital's location.

Upon her arrival, she discovered Lionel had been transferred to a regular room and had regained consciousness,

though his complexion appeared ashen and his usual vitality diminished.

"Freya?" Melinda spotted her immediately.

Freya carried a package containing fruits and nutritional supplements that Lionel favored.

After setting her offerings aside, she greeted everyone present. The room held only four occupants: herself,

Melinda, Lionel, and Kristian.

Kristian slouched in his dark attire, his impeccably tailored black suit contrasting sharply with his dejected

demeanor. The vivid red handprint marking his cheek stood out prominently against his pallor. Had Lionel struck

him in anger?

"Freya, ccloser." Lionel's entire countenance brightened visibly upon seeing her.

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Chapter 38 Comforting Lionel

Freya approached his bedside.

She harbored genuine concern for the elderly gentleman. Throughout these past two years, she had discovered

in Lionel a fascinating individual-erudite yet refreshingly progressive in his thinking.

Their relationship had evolved into something authentically resembling that of grandfather and granddaughter.

"I've been informed of everything that transpired." Lionel clasped her hand his eyes brimming with remorse as

he confessed, "My family has grievously wronged you. | bear responsibility for failing to raise my grandson

properly."

"The fault lies entirely with him," Freya reassured Lionel, her tone deliberately gentle. "Neither you nor other

family members of his shares any blin this."

Kristian glanced over at her words. Was she emphasizing this deliberately for his benefit?

Lionel's internal conflict intensified, his guilt toward Freya deepening with each passing moment.

She was such an extraordinary woman. How could Kristian fail to treasure her presence in his life?

7

"Rest assured, as long as | draw breath, that woman will never enter marry him," Lionel declared with grave

certainty. "Should he dare to go against my will, | shall end my life before him."

"Grandpa!" Kristian's expression revealed his dismay at the declaration.

Lionel refused even to acknowledge Kristian; his fury toward his grandson remained unabated.

Freya recoiled at Lionel's pronouncement, hastening to calm him. “Lionel, that approach would be most

counterproductive."

"Have you a superior alternative?" Lionel inquired.

"Indeed | do," Freya affirmed.

"Please elaborate," Lionel encouraged.

Freya continued thoughtfully, "You should embrace life with complete vitality-that

would constitute the greatest deterrent possible."

"Truly?" Lionel questioned. -

"Absolutely." Freya cajoled him, determined to prevent his distress, "If | couldn't secure approval from my

beloved's family, | would be utterly terrified. The mere mention of their nwould sendinto anxious

trembling."

Kristian cast a sidelong glance her way. Her talent for crafting persuasive nonsense remained remarkably

impressive.

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"I should like to see who would dare express disapproval!" Lionel took her statement with utmost seriousness,

his indignation mounting as he declared, "You have my word that while | remain, | shall be your steadfast

advocate. Should anyone dare voice opposition against you, | shall have quite the stern conversation with them."

"Then you must prioritize your health above all else," Freya expertly soothed him, adding, "You are my

happiness."

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Lionel nodded with conviction. "So be it."

The pair continued their conversation, conspicuously excluding Kristian from their

exchange.

Melinda massaged her temples and sighed to herself.

"If only you were my granddaughter," Lionel lamented wistfully.

Freya fell into momentary silence. How could she possibly respond to such a

sentiment?

Lionel suddenly addressed her, "Freya."

"Yes?" Freya directed her attention toward him..

Lionel proposed unexpectedly, "Why not maintain your connection to our Shaw family?"

"Pardon?" Freya stared in astonishment.

“I shall disinherit him,” Lionel pronounced solemnly, genuinely contemplating the possibility as Kristian's

standing in his estimation continued to plummet. “Then you shall becthe rightful successor to my family

business, with the Shaw Group under your management."

Freya carefully selected her response and inquired, "Have you ceased to hold affection for me?"

"How could that ever be possible? You are as precious toas my own granddaughter!" Lionel's spirits elevated

considerably.

"Then why would you burdenwith inheriting the Shaw Group merely to generate incfor Kristian to

squander?" Freya playfully challenged the elderly man, deftly redirecting his complicated thought process. "He

holds shares in the Shaw Group. Even in complete idleness, he continues to receive dividends. | would welcome

such an expulsion."

Kristian remained speechless at her cunning redirection.

Lionel contemplated her words briefly before conceding, "You are right. We cannot permit this rascal to benefit

undeservedly."