“The Stone family’s fortune is not for you to decide, Ynda Steele. I will find out the truth about how my dad died. If it’s rted to you, I won’t let you off.” Freya said coldly.
Ynda just returned, “You dare to fight for the inheritance with my son. I won’t let you off either!”
“Mom…”
Zane wanted to persuade her mother. Leo Stone had just died, and they were arguing like this in front of the body. How could the departed rest in peace?
“Zane, let me tell you, don’t let your dad brainwash you. I am your closest kin. What connection does Freya have with you?” Ynda spoke sharply, feeling displeased that Zane always sided with Freya. She believed it was Leo Stone’s fault that Zane turned out this way. He instilled wrong thoughts in his son. What kind of rtionship could there be between half-siblings with different mothers? Zane and Freya bing close was not eptable to her.
Freya called her by name, “Ynda Steele, my parents are still married. My mom and I are the first heirs. Even if you calcte everything, as long as I want to, you won’t get a penny of the Stone family’s fortune!”
A hint of panic shed in Ynda’s eyes, but she quicklyposed herself, “Your dad made a will, and the fortune goes to Zane.”
Freya didn’t want to argue with her in front of Leo Stone’s body. She spoke softly to Elijah beside her, “Let’s go.”
She remained strong throughout. As they left the hospital, her back finally softened. Elijah held her shoulders, pulling her into an embrace, and whispered, “I’ll take you home.”
She nodded.
Back at the mansion, Freya saw Luna in the living room. Apparently, Luna had heard themotion when she left and, from Linda, learned about Freya’s father. So, she was waiting in the living room.
Seeing her with Elijah, Luna didn’t approach but asked with concern, “Are you okay?”
Freya choked up, “I’m fine.”
Linda, also awake and concerned, said, “It’s veryte. Let’s all get some rest.” With that, she went upstairs, and Elijah followed.
In the room, Freyay on the bed with her legs curled up. Elijah embraced her from behind, his body close to her slender form, offering silentfort. That night, Freya couldn’t sleep, keeping her eyes open until dawn. Red bloodshot eyes showed the toll of her sleepless night.
She gently got up. Elijah hadn’t slept much either, only nodding off as dawn approached. Freya didn’t want to wake him. Holding her phone, she went to the balcony and called her mother.
It was early, and Elowen hadn’t woken up yet. After a while, she answered, “Hey, Freya, missing Kai?”
Elowen’s voice was husky from just waking up.
Freya, with a heavy nose, said, “Mom, my dad ‘s gone.”
“He’s gone, so what?” Elowen seemed unaware of the gravity of the situation.
“Mom, my dad is dead,” Freya said softly. “Come back.”Text ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.
Silence ensued on the other end.
Elowen seemed frozen in ce, both in thought and expression.
Worried, Freya called out, “Mom, are you okay?”
“I… I’m fine.”
However, her voice didn’t sound fine.
“You’re inconvenienced with Kai. I’lle pick you up.”
“No need. It’s a waste of time. I’lle directly. Don’t worry about me.” Elowen said.
Freya was uneasy.
“I’m hanging up. I’m fine. I got to pack Kai’s things.” Said Elowen.
The call ended abruptly.
Freya could sense her mother’s urgency.
“Mom still has feelings for Dad, right?” Freya thought to herself.
The morning was still a bit cool. Freya hugged herself. If only she had told Elowen earlier, her parents could have at least seen each other onest time.
Leo’s departure was unsettling. Not seeing Elowen onest time might be a regret for him.
“What are you thinking?”
A piece of clothing was draped over Freya’s shoulder.
Turning, she saw Elijah. His features, usually sharp and neat, now appeared slightlyzy, making him much more approachable. She withdrew her gaze and said, “I just called my mom. If only I had told her earlier, she might have seen my dad onest time…”
“It’s not your fault. They had their own thoughts and choices.”
If two people loved each other, they wouldn’t separate. If they did, it was their decision, not influenced by others. Moreover, they were adults with independent thinking. So, Freya didn’t need to feel guilty.
Freya took a deep breath and said, “There’s a little time left. Go back to sleep for a while. You haven’t rested much this night because of me.”
“It’s okay. I’ll stay with you.” Elijah looked ahead.
Freya nced at him sideways.
In times of losing loved ones, people were at their most vulnerable. Having someone, even if they didn’t speak a word, silently apanying them, made them feel less lonely. It was a sce for the soul.
As the sky gradually brightened, Freya went out without having breakfast. Elijah wanted to apany her, but she refused. Elijah had his work to do. He had been with her for a long time, and now that she had adjusted her emotions, he didn’t insist.
Freya went to thew firm to inquire about inheritance-rtedws. After understanding, she realized Zane had legitimate inheritance rights, even if Ynda Steele and Leo Stone were not married.
Freya didn’t mean to take the Stone family’s fortune for herself. The current situation was that Ynda Steele, in her desire for the inheritance, drove Leo Stone to his death. For this reason alone, Freya couldn’t let Ynda seed.
As Zane had legitimate inheritance rights, she couldn’t let Ynda Steele get nothing. Legal means were not an option. Freya had to think of a wayter. Now, she needed to take care of Leo Stone’s affairs. Despite many unpleasant incidents before, he was still her biological father, and it genuinely saddened her.
She went to the hospital to take Leo Stone’s body, nning to transfer it to the funeral home. However, she was informed that it had already been taken. Checking the records, she saw Zane’s signature.
Ynda Steele and Leo Stone had no marital rtion, so Ynda couldn’t arrange this. But Zane was Leo Stone’s child, so he could handle it.
Freya hurried to the Stone family estate.
As expected, Ynda had already arranged the funeral, deliberately making herself look like the host. Freya knew what she was plotting. By organizing Leo Stone’s funeral, she hoped everyone would see her as Leo Stone’s wife. Ynda was stealing the show.
Freya approached.
Ynda Steele, dressed in ck, managed the affairs. Seeing Freya, her face immediately darkened. Freya was thest person she wanted to see at the funeral. She hoped everyone would forget about Freya.
“Why are you here?” Ynda red at her.
Freya remained unruffled, unwilling to engage in any argument until Leo Stone’s funeral was over.
“I am Leo Stone’s daughter, and you’re just an insignificant third party. You have no right. I allowed you to stay here out of courtesy. If I told you to leave, you’d better go. I’m letting you stay only because you gave my dad a son. But make no mistake, I am the one in charge.”
At the mention of being insignificant, Ynda’s face turned ashen. It was a sore spot for her. She loathed Leo Stone, partly because he refused to acknowledge her.
Freya passed by her, heading inside. Ynda gritted her teeth, knowing that as long as Freya was around, her son wouldn’t fully inherit the Stone family fortune. A murderous intent stirred within her. Seeing Freya about to pass beneath a scaffold, Ynda’s eyes darkened. She quickened her pace, and as Freya passed under the scaffold, she forcefully shoved it.
The scaffold came crashing down toward Freya.
“Freya, go to hell!” Ynda sneered.
Freya felt it, looking up to see the scaffold dangerously close. Her pupils dted in shock and fear.
Just as the scaffold was about to crush her, a dark figure lunged at her. Freya was forcefully pushed away,nding outside the scaffold, immediately followed by a deafening crash. The scaffold copsed. She hurried to check on her savior. When she saw the face of the person who saved her, her face turned pale in an instant.