Chapter 70

Freya was getting her lunch in the cafeteria when Cindy spotted her and immediately felt her blood boil. Grabbing Eloise by the arm, Cindy declared, “Let’s go! We’re going to make her explain herself!”

Eloise tried to intervene, but Cindy was already storming toward Freya. Then came a loud clatter; Freya’s tray was knocked to the ground. With fury written all over her face, Cindy slapped Freya hard across the left cheek.

Seeing this, Eloise quickly grabbed Cindy, pleading, “Cindy, stop it!”

“Don’t tell me what to do!” Cindy snapped, pulling away from Eloise. She then turned to Freya, whose cheek was reddened from the slap, and accused, “Did you hire online trolls to badmouth Eloise?”

The commotion drew everyone’s attention in the cafeteria, all eyes on the unfolding drama.

Facing Cindy’s accusation, Freya looked up, scrutinizing the two unfamiliar faces before her. Dressed in trendy brands with luxury accessories that screamed nouveau riche but were not quite top-tier, it was clear their families were wealthy but not among the wealthiest. They hadn’t skipped Eloise’s birthday party the day before yesterday because they didn’t want to go; they just weren’t in the same league!

Freya countered, “And you are…”

“Never mind who I am! You’re picking on Eloise because you think you’re all that, being a Dawson heiress. Well, let me tell you something. Mr. Sutton prefers Eloise, not you, Freya! You’re a homewrecker!”

Cindy’s righteous indignation was almost enough to make Freya laugh.

She retorted, “My dear, do you even understand an arranged marriage? For someone from Summit University, you’re making quite a hilarious accusation. The Sutton Group and the Dawson Group are merging for business, a grown-up deal. By all accounts, I’m Kieran’s fiancée, who’ll be legally recognized as his wife. So, who’s the homewrecker here?”

Unable to out-argue Freya, Cindy turned red with frustration and spat, “If it weren’t for Audrey’s disapproval of Eloise, you wouldn’t have a shot with Mr. Sutton. How dare you stand there and act all high and mighty?”

“You’re right. Audrey disapproves of Ms. Harwood, so she lacks standing and access to the Sutton family, which means she can’t be Mrs. Sutton. If you marry someone you don’t love, can you truly blame another woman and label her a homewrecker if your husband shows affection toward her?”

Freya continued calmly, “I suppose when your husband cheats on you with the woman he truly loves, you’d rather scream ‘seductress’ than admit you’re a third wheel, ready to step aside.”

Cindy was at a loss for words, managing indignantly, “You!”

At that moment, Mae interrupted, “Enough with your high-and-mighty act, Freya. Word is, the Dawson Group is going bankrupt. Whether you even qualify to marry into the Sutton family is debatable. Kieran will be the first to dump you when you’re broke.”

“I don’t know if Kieran will want me,” Freya replied, “but I do know he won’t…”