Chapter 53

When the tension was palpable, the group gathered to celebrate Eloise’s birthday heard a commotion and started heading toward the private room where Ronan and Kieran were facing off. Eloise made her way through the crowd, only to witness the standoff among the trio. Her expression soured, and anyone with half a brain could tell what was happening: Kieran and Ronan were both vying for Freya’s attention.

“Kieran, what’s going on here?” Eloise asked, barely concealing her suspicions. “Wasn’t Ms. Dawson supposed to have left already? And Mr. Beckett…”

More than Kieran and Ronan, everyone else was curious about Ronan’s relationship with Freya. After all, Ronan was famously indifferent to women, and Freya had publicly badmouthed him, sparking rumors—rumors that Freya herself had started—that Ronan was gay. Logic said Ronan and Freya should be like oil and water. Yet there they were, standing together, looking surprisingly close.

“Ms. Harwood, that’s a good question. Freya was supposed to have already left. So, who brought her here? Mr. Sutton, would you care to explain?” Ronan’s words were cryptic, but everyone got the gist. Kieran must have brought Freya to this private room! And for what… well, wasn’t that the unspoken question on everyone’s minds?

Eloise bit her lip, turning to Kieran. “Is that true, Kieran?”

Frowning, Kieran remained silent. Silas sensed the tension and stepped forward, saying, “Kieran asked Ms. Dawson for a private talk to plan the press conference for clarifications tomorrow! Ronan, stop twisting words.”

“Mr. Vaughn is right,” Ronan snapped his fingers, smirking as he said, “Exactly, it’s about the press conference for clarifications. Mr. Sutton and Freya will clarify that their engagement is off tomorrow morning at ten.”

At this, Ronan turned to Eloise. “Congratulations, Ms. Harwood. Your time to shine has finally come.” Ronan’s comment was spot-on but stung like a slap. All eyes turned to Eloise.

Eloise had always prided herself on her independence and dignity. Being labeled a home-wrecker, she flushed with embarrassment and began to tremble uncontrollably.

“Freya, let’s go.” Ronan wrapped his arm around Freya’s waist and led her through the crowd. None of the wealthy young elites who had come for Eloise’s birthday dared to stop Ronan or even utter an extra word.

“Klein…” Eloise started, glancing at him just as his expression darkened and he slammed a bottle of champagne onto the floor. The sound of the shattering bottle echoed, and everyone’s demeanor shifted. Who could recall a time when Kieran was this infuriated? Caught between Kieran and Ronan, Freya seemed to be playing with fire, courting disaster with her daring two-timing.

Following Ronan toward the exit of Eclipse Lounge, Freya asked with a scowl, “How did you even know I was here?” Ronan stopped and turned, challenging her, “Want to know? Take a guess. Guess right, and I’ll reward you.”