Chapter 25

“If you go against me, you’re setting yourself up for disaster this year.”

Freya got up, turned around, and was about to leave. Just as she reached the door, she paused and said, “Oh, by the way, Mr. Sutton, I forgot to mention that I haven’t told Audrey how you’ve been bullying me. What do you reckon? Whose side will she take after our little chat?”

Kieran fumed. “Freya!”

“Kieran, the fact that I haven’t spilled the beans about your antics with the Dawson Group is the most generous I can be. Drop your childish schemes. I, Freya Dawson, will never bow down to you. And trust me, you’re in for a rough year.”

Kieran was too mad to say anything. “You!”

Freya left Kieran’s room, shutting the door firmly behind her. Kieran felt a surge of frustration building inside him. ‘This woman is threatening me and cursing me with bad luck? Is she trying to get my attention this way? Nice try!’

In the evening, Freya returned to the Dawson family home, where the living room lights were warmly glowing. As soon as she entered, she heard Johanna’s laughter. “Make yourself at home, dear. Don’t be shy about anything. If you want anything, let me know, and I’ll get it for you.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Dawson.” The young girl blushed slightly.

Upon entering, Johanna barely glanced at Freya before her smile faded. “Oh, look who’s home. Ms. Dawson, where have you been loafing around this time?”

Freya was used to Johanna’s sharp tongue. She noticed a girl sitting on the sofa, probably in her early twenties, with delicate features and a slender figure. What a vision of grace. Though the girl didn’t resemble Eloise, her style was eerily similar.

Freya asked, “And who might this be?”

“This is your cousin. She’s been living in the countryside all these years. I brought her here to stay for a while.” Johanna introduced, “Kara, say hi to your cousin, Freya.”

“Hi, Freya.” Kara Orson seemed a bit reserved.

‘Aunt Johanna has explained that as long as I behaved, I could enjoy a life similar to Ms. Dawson’s. Looking at the dazzling Freya, Kara couldn’t hide her envy.’

“Just the person I wanted to see,” Johanna said casually. “Aren’t you at Summit University? Why don’t you pull some strings and get Kara in there, too? It would be nice for you two to look out for each other.”

Everyone knew that Echo City’s Summit University was an elite institution known for its steep tuition and cream-of-the-crop students nationwide. Johanna dared to suggest Freya use her connections to get Kara into Summit University as if it were a simple favor.

Freya laughed coldly and said, “I don’t recall having any cousins. Next time you decide to bring relatives over, Johanna, give me a heads-up. I don’t appreciate strangers in my house.”

Upon hearing that, Johanna’s face soured immediately. “Freya! This is your cousin, not some outsider! I’ve promised Kara the Summit University spot, and you will find a way to make it happen!”

Chapter 26