Chapter 42
Chapter 42 Do You PerceiveAs Easily Manipulated
Ashley fished her phone from beneath the pillow, her eyes fixed on the number that had remained silent for
nearly a month. Her pulse quickened as a shiver crawled down her spine.
Though her finger lingered over the hang-up button, the thought of potential repercussions compelled her to.
answer with evident anxiety.
"Hello..." Her voice quavered in the stillness.
"Why did it take you so long to answer?" The voice, though gentle, made her breath hitch in her throat.
Ashley trembled visibly, her words colliding with one another. "I was in the bathroom and didn't hear it."
"How are things progressing?" the man inquired.
"They have thirteen days remaining in their waiting period before the divorce becomes final," Ashley explained.
"After that, they'll receive the divorce decree."
"Are you certain Kristian will marry you after his divorce?" The man spoke unhurriedly, almost pleasantly, yet his
tone instilled an involuntary dread within her.
"Yes, I'm certain." Ashley gulped audibly, beads of perspiration glistening on her forehead. "He's already
informed his family. Once he obtains the divorce decree, he'll marry me."
"Alright," the man responded, displaying no interest in extending the conversation. "Remember to adhere to the
plan after your marriage. Should you harbor any ulterior motives, you understand the consequences."
Ashley's heart fluttered anxiously as another chill raced down her spine.
Just as he prepared to disconnect, a realization struck her, and she summoned the courage to interject, "Wait
a second!"
Silence stretched across the line.
Her phone-clutching hand grew slick with cold perspiration. "Was it you who orchestrated the car accident and
arranged for someone to assault me?" She bit her lip, her heart pounding against her ribcage.
The man neither confirmed nor denied the accusation, simply stating, "I prefer to handle matters personally."
Ashley's mind emptied completely, her curled fingers scarcely able to maintain their grip on the device.
After the call terminated, her phone slipped from her grasp, and her strength evaporated, leaving her collapsed
on the sofa.
It wasn't him, nor was it Freya. Then who could it possibly be?
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She remained motionless for thirty full minutes before recovering her composure. Suddenly remembering
something crucial, she retrieved her phone and erased the call record between them.
Afterward, she sat transfixed, a single thought consuming her consciousness. Kristian must never discover this.
Never!
After concluding their conversation, Kristian contemplated Ashley's words, set aside his tasks, and departed to
locate Freya.
Gerard approached with additional paperwork, his characteristic smile illuminating his features. "Sir, several
documents require your signature..."
"Place them on the desk," Kristian directed,
"They're urgent and must be signed immediately," Gerard persisted.
Kristian halted mid-stride.
His gaze turned frigid, and his thin lips parted with evident annoyance. "If they were truly urgent, why didn't you
present them earlier? Why delay until now?"
Gerard fell silent. He was merely fulfilling his duties as messenger.
"Let them wait and learn from this experience," Kristian declared dismissively before exiting.
Shortly after his departure, a figure emerged from the shadows, approaching Gerard with curiosity. "Gerard, what
did the boss communicate to you? He seemed rather displeased."
Gerard glanced at the inquirer and recounted Kristian's words verbatim.
The tof onlookers registered shock.
"Did he truly express that?"
"Is he experiencing conflict with his wife?"
"| believe they're proceeding with divorce."
Gerard's attention pivoted toward the trio.
The perceptive group members exchanged glances, while the woman who had mentioned divorce clasped her
hand over her mouth in astonishment. "No way! Did my speculation hit the mark?"
"Our boss and his wife maintain an excellent relationship," Gerard replied. Though outwardly composed, their
conjecture startled him internally. "And | must remind you to refrain from investigating the boss's personal
affairs."
Should these individuals discover Kristian and Freya's impending divorce, the entire office would learn of it by
tomorrow's dawn.
While they exercised discretion regarding professional matters, their capacity for disseminating gossip exceeded
all others.
Gerard released a silent sigh before returning to his responsibilities.
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Chapter 42 Do You PerceiveAs Easily Manipulated
Kristian's journey from the company headquarters to Freya's apartment consumed over an hour.
By the the arrived at her doorstep, the clock had already struck 12:30 PM.
Freya was partaking in her lunch. Upon hearing the door's rhythmic knocking, she approached it, mentally
prepared to dismiss Ashley should she appear once
more.
To her considerable surprise, Kristian stood before her.
"What brings you here?" Freya's antipathy toward both him and Ashley had depleted her patience entirely.
"We need to discuss something," Kristian stated, attempting to enter uninvited.
Freya obstructed his path, tapping the door twice with her knuckles. "Did you fail to observe the words on the
door?"
Kristian surveyed the surroundings, noting nothing unusual.
"What words?" he inquired.
"No Kristian Shaw or pets permitted." Freya's crimson lips articulated each syllable with emphasis.
Kristian advanced nonetheless, cornering Freya against the door and enveloping her within his arms. "Have |
been too lenient with you lately, making you think I'm easy to talk to?"
"That inquiry should originate from me," Freya countered, regarding him with evident contempt. "Do you
perceiveas easily manipulated, allowing you and Ashley to harassin succession?"
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"You, easily manipulated?" Kristian questioned skeptically.
Previously, he might have considered her susceptible to influence. However, since
his mention of divorce, she had undergone a complete transformation.
Freya had exhausted her willingness for further verbal exchange.
Were it not for her desire to facilitate a smooth divorce proceeding, she would
have expelled him immediately.
"Communicate your purpose or depart if you choose not to." Freya had abandoned all pretense of courtesy
toward him.
"Why did you convey those particulars to my grandpa?" Kristian finally addressed
his central concern, gazing down at her. "You understand his aversion to Ashley. Such statements only intensify
his prejudice against her."
Freya challenged, "And that's my problem?"
"You instigated it," Kristian asserted.
"Should you desire another punch in the face, continue speaking." Freya's eyes reflected glacial indifference.
That incident represented a significant blemish in Kristian's personal history. Mere recollection of it elicited
discomfort within him.
"| genuinely recommend psychological evaluation for both you and Ashley." Freya struggled to comprehend his
profound transformation and added, "I've never encountered individuals with such distorted ethical frameworks."
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Chapter 42 Do You PerceiveAs Easily Manipulated
Kristian's expression darkened considerably. "What do you mean?"
"You violated our marital covenant," Freya declared. "You engaged in infidelity
with Ashley Yet you persistently approach me, even accusingof callousness.
Do you truly believe | submit easily to intimidation?
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