Chapter 17
Eloise was suddenly on her knees, her voice tinged with desperation. “Ms. Dawson, I swear to you, I’ll have nothing to do with Kieran anymore. I’m begging you. For Kieran and the Sutton family, please stop this mess. Continuing this way won’t do any good for the Dawson family, either!”
It was clear that Eloise’s plea was all for Kieran’s good. Yet, it also hinted that Kieran’s marriage to her was merely for the Dawson family’s resources.
“Ms. Harwood, your speech is touching, but why should I care about what’s best for Kieran and the Sutton family?” Freya retorted.
Eloise was stunned. She had seen how fond Freya had grown of Kieran over the past three months. She had even heard Freya say she’d do anything for Kieran. So why was there this sudden change of heart?
“Ms. Dawson, if you think I’m saying this out of spite, I apologize. I just want you and Kieran to be happy. I’ll step back from this relationship and go somewhere Kieran can’t find me…”
Before Eloise could continue with her self-proclaimed noble sacrifice, Freya cut her off coldly. “Ms. Harwood, your words are nothing but your wishes. Why should I spend my life with a man who has another woman in his heart? Don’t you think what you’re saying is rather preposterous?”
“Ms. Dawson, I know you’ve misunderstood me, but I’m willing to do anything for Kieran’s sake.”
Eloise pulled a bank card from her purse and handed it to Freya. “I know Kieran has wronged you, and the Dawson Group needs funds now. Here’s five hundred million. I hope it can compensate you and that you’ll reconcile with Kieran, not cancel the engagement.”
Despite Eloise’s earnest look, Freya couldn’t help but sneer internally. Eloise always played this role in the past life, pushing Kieran away while keeping ties with him. Essentially, she was luring him on a string.
Eloise rushed Freya into getting engaged to Kieran merely because she knew Audrey wouldn’t welcome her. With the Dawson family’s lineage dwindling, Freya, having no one to rely on, would be easily discarded by the Sutton family once they finished exploiting the Dawson family.
Moreover, everyone in Echo City knew Freya and Eloise looked somewhat alike. Rather than waiting for Kieran to marry some well-connected heiress, Eloise preferred to secure an engagement with her known lookalike, Freya.
If Eloise and Kieran reconciled later, people would commend their reunion as childhood sweethearts.
With Audrey’s health declining, Eloise only had to wait for her death to secure her position as Mrs. Sutton by Kieran’s side.
“Ms. Harwood, does Kieran know you’re here meeting with me?” Freya asked.
Eloise paused, taken aback.
“You’ve been kneeling for some time, Ms. Harwood. Your knees must be aching. Let me help you up.”
As Freya reached down to help Eloise, the café door swung open with the jingle of bells, and Kieran pushed Freya out hard. “Freya! What are you doing?”