Chapter 31

In a past life, neither Kieran nor Ronan attended the auction, opting for their secretaries to handle the bidding over the phone. Perhaps Freya’s intervention altered the course of events. This time, seeing Kieran enter with Eloise, Freya reveled in the situation. It officially confirmed that she and Kieran were no longer together, which she found immensely satisfying.

“Is that Ms. Harwood over there?”

“Since when does Mr. Sutton ever bring a date?”

“It’s all because someone overestimated her worth, daring to break off an engagement with Mr. Sutton. Look at her, completely discarded, like yesterday’s news. I bet she’s regretting her decision now.”

“Everyone in Echo City knows the Dawson family practically begged for the engagement with the Sutton family. Now, she thinks she’s too good for him, huh? Please. Mr. Sutton could find a replacement tomorrow, and who would dare associate with her now?”

The gossip and laughter of the socialites outside the venue were openly aimed at Freya, who had shown up just a few minutes before Kieran and Eloise. Ronan, the devil, had insisted she should wait outside, a decision she was beginning to regret deeply. It was clear now that Ronan and Kieran were cut from the same cloth, seemingly destined to be at each other’s throats in past and present lives.

“Freya, why bother pining after Mr. Sutton? He’s got Eloise now. What’s the point in showing up here, hoping for what exactly?”

“Exactly. Just a couple of days ago, she was all high and mighty about ending things with Mr. Sutton. And now here she is, tagging along. But let’s face it. A stand-in is just that. Mr. Sutton’s moved on. Why would he give her a second glance?”

“She’s made her bed. Imagine, she was almost Mrs. Sutton, and she just let it slip away. She should take a good look in the mirror. Did she think she could compete with Ms. Harwood?”

The delight in seeing Freya’s downfall was palpable among the women who had once coveted her position. After all, her relentless pursuit of Kieran had devalued her in the eyes of men and earned her the scorn and ridicule of her peers.

Unable to resist, one social butterfly approached Freya with a sardonic smile. “Ms. Dawson, with a face like that, you should focus on pleasing men while you still can. After this debacle, who in Echo City would dare associate with you?”

Laughter erupted from the group, each jab at Freya’s expense a testament to her fall from grace. Even with her beauty and prior engagement to Kieran, she had become persona non grata in Echo City.

Then, a sleek black Maybach pulled up, drawing all eyes. The man who stepped out was the epitome of tailored perfection. His demeanor was cold and unapproachable. Adjusting his designer glasses, Ronan scanned the crowd with a glance that silenced the mockery.

Without a word, he pulled Freya to his side, asking softly, “Weren’t you supposed to wait for me at the entrance?”

His deep and magnetic voice was enough to draw gasps from the onlookers. Since when were Freya and Mr. Beckett an item?

Seeing the commotion, Eloise cautiously mentioned it to Kieran. “That looks like Ms. Dawson over there…”

Following her gaze, Kieran’s expression darkened at the sight of Freya and Ronan, their closeness undeniable. The fact that Ronan was holding Freya’s wrist was a provocation. The revelation stirred a dangerous glint in Kieran’s eyes. Freya, who had rejected him, was publicly aligning herself with Ronan. How could she possibly be with another? The tension only highlighted the complexity of their entangled relationships.

“Kieran, there must be some misunderstanding… You know Ms. Dawson has feelings for you… Why is she so openly…?” Eloise’s attempt was cut short.