Chapter 83

The footsteps outside stopped, probably someone eavesdropping from around the corner. Kieran glanced up and caught sight of Freya’s delicate jawline. His eyes drifted lower until they landed on the gentle slope of her collarbone. Freya smelled wonderful. The scent was not overpowering or artificial, but like a natural, clean one that made people want to draw closer.

Suddenly, Freya yelled, “Mr. Sutton! What are you doing?” Her shout was unexpected. Freya suddenly reached to tug at her blouse, and when she couldn’t rip it, she turned her hands on Kieran’s shirt. No sound of tearing fabric followed, and Kieran’s expression darkened instantly.

“Freya, you—”

“Mr. Sutton! You already have Eloise! Let me go!”

Freya gave Kieran a defiant “go ahead,” look, but her voice was unexpectedly soft and overly dramatic. Rather than getting angry, Kieran chuckled at Freya’s self-directed drama. With a swift move, he flipped the situation, pinning Freya down on the bed. Caught off guard by Kieran’s sudden dominance, Freya instinctively cried out. That cry gave Kieran the upper hand.

Gritting her teeth, Freya whispered fiercely, “Kieran! Let me go!”

“Weren’t you the one who started this act, Ms. Dawson? Then let’s make it more convincing.” Saying so, Kieran pinched Freya’s waist hard. Freya gasped in pain, a soft moan escaping her lips. The pain brought tears to her eyes. Seeing this, Kieran’s gaze softened. Meanwhile, someone outside heard the commotion and couldn’t help but snicker, then quietly descended the stairs to tell Audrey, “Madam, you can rest easy. I just listened in, and they are getting along just fine!”

The housekeeper’s knowing smile made Audrey nod in satisfaction, saying, “At least my meddling has paid off in bringing them together.”

In the bedroom, once Freya knew the coast was clear, she sighed with relief and addressed Kieran, “Mr. Sutton, they’re gone. No need to keep up the act, right?”

“Who said I was acting?” Kieran’s tone was playful.

Freya frowned. “Kieran, that’s not funny.”

“Freya, don’t you think you owe me an explanation for tonight?”

The room’s setup made it clear this was all premeditated. When Freya saw Kieran doubting her again, she retorted, “I haven’t sunk so low that I’d throw away my dignity just to trap a man in some silly scheme. I had no clue about tonight’s setup, or else I would’ve used your confusion to my advantage, right, Mr. Sutton?” Realizing Freya was unaware, Kieran’s thoughts turned to Audrey. Only his grandmother could orchestrate something like this.

As Freya noticed Kieran’s looming presence, she attempted to shift away. Kieran pulled her back into his arms as she was about to escape his grasp. In a low voice, Kieran said, “Even if you know nothing about this setup, can you honestly say you have no other motives concerning me?”

“I’m plotting for you to drop dead sooner.” Freya found Kieran’s persistence annoying and childish. She pushed him away and got off the bed.

Kieran pointed out, “If you leave now, Grandma will catch on that we were just putting on an act. If it didn’t work this time, she’ll just scheme up something else.”

“What are you suggesting, Mr. Sutton? That I spend the night in your room? That seems highly inappropriate.” Despite her words, Freya showed no intention of leaving.

Chapter 84