The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday novel Chapter 156

"Unbelievable," Freya whispered to herself, her eyes shifting back and forth between Preston and the increasingly displeased Eloise. It was like watching a car crash in slow motion. Was Preston intentionally throwing a wrench in the works here?

Freya had been threading a needle, trying to get Eloise on board with her business plans, and Preston's antics were threatening to unravel everything. Their dinner at the upscale steakhouse, which was supposed to be a smooth business negotiation, turned into a scene out of a reality TV show.

Already skeptical of Freya's intentions, Eloise seemed ready to boil over. It was as if they'd invited her there only to snub her publicly.

"Waiter! Three filet mignons and three glasses of Cabernet!" Freya's voice cut through the tension, her quick thinking preventing the situation from devolving further. It would've been a disaster if only two steaks had arrived at their table.

"Mr. Tyler, regarding the Harwood family’s estate downtown you've shown interest in, it's yours for the taking," Eloise said, attempting to steer the conversation back to safer waters. She pushed the property transfer documents across the table towards Preston.

Freya was stunned. She knew the Harwood family had left Eloise a significant inheritance. But offering Preston a prime piece of real estate out of the blue was a generous gesture.

Preston skimmed the documents nonchalantly. "Giving away a billion-dollar property just like that, Ms. Harwood? You're quite the philanthropist."

"It's only fitting to welcome a newcomer with open arms," Eloise replied with a slight smile. "Besides, collaborating with Mr. Tyler is a privilege for the Harwood family. It's just a piece of land, after all."

Eloise's admiration for Preston was evident, but Freya couldn't help but recall a time in another life when Preston chased after Eloise, offering to buy the same land at ten times its value. That deal had set Echo City abuzz, bringing Preston and Eloise closer and igniting a rivalry with Kieran that lasted years.

However, in this lifetime, Eloise made the first move. Was she seeking to get closer to Preston, sensing Kieran's waning interest?

As these thoughts swirled in Freya's mind, Preston's words snapped her back to reality.