Kieran never expected Audrey to show up at his ce, especially since she had moved out days ago, promising not to intrude unannounced.


    But there she was, and seeing those pictures spread out all over the table made Kieran''s mood turn all frosty.


    "This has nothing to do with Ellie." Kieran jumped to Eloise''s defense, prompting Freya to chuckle with a self-deprecating.


    She should have known better. Even if Kieran knew Eloise was behind this, he''d turn a blind eye. In Kieran''s world, right and wrong didn''t exist when it was about Eloise. He''d always take her side, no questions asked.


    But this time, Freya wasn''t willing to let Eloise off the hook. It wasn''t the na?ve Freya from before. This time, she wouldn''t let Eloise''s tricks leave her scrambling in the dark.


    "It has nothing to do with Eloise? Then who is to me?" Audrey''s expression darkened as she said, "I''ve told you to keep your distance from that woman from the Harwood family! She''s no good, just as hypocritical as her parents!"


    Sitting on the couch, Audrey went on, "This is really hitting Freya hard! Those two spreading all those lies about her should get what''sing to them. Let the cops handle them, whether it''s a fine or locking them up. We can''t let their rumors look like they''re true." "Yes, Grandma." Kieranplied, ncing coldly at Freya as he left as if she were a stranger.


    After Kieran left, Audrey patted Freya''s hand, reassuring her, "Leave this to me. The rumors will start falling apart by themselves soon enough."


    But Freya couldn''t look at Audrey with the same gratitude as before. She had been too na?ve, too easily swayed by small gestures of kindness, never seeing the calction behind Audrey''s eyes.


    Audrey soon added, "But you know


    our family''s rutes. Since you''re to


    marry into the Sutton family, you must keep your distance from other men. Your studies aren''t important, nor is taking over the Dawson family''s business. I''ve spoken to your step-mother. The Dawson Group will go to your brother so you can focus on being a part of our family."


    Hearing Audrey had gone behind her back to talk to Johanna, Freya frowned, "Audrey, that''s a family matter of mine."


    "I know it''s your family''s business,


    but you''ll be Mrs. Sutton soon. They


    say a daughter married off is like


    water poured away. You''ll have much to learn as Mrs. Sutton and chole


    won''t have time for the Dawson


    Group. It''s better left to your brother." Owned by N?velDrama.Org.


    Audrey didn''t miss a beat to add, "And not to belittle you, but even at its peak, the Dawson Group couldn''tpare to a fraction of the Sutton family''s assets. Let go of this small venture. As part of the Sutton family, you''ll gain much more."


    Freya merely scoffed internally. ''Yes, the Dawson Group is in crisis, but itsworks and industry are well-established. Otherwise, why would Kieran agree to marry me? It isn''t for love, but for the legacy and connections my father built.'' "Audrey, I''m not yet a Sutton. The Dawson Group is my father''s legacy, and Lnd is a troublemaker, good at nothing. Handing thepany to him would be a betrayal."


    "Freya, you..."


    "Audrey, I''ve made up my mind."


    Freya''s voice was strong. "I might be staying with the Sutton family, but the Dawson Group will never end up in Lnd and Johanna''s hands."


    "When did you be so defiant?" Audrey was visibly upset.