The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday novel Chapter 175

Freya turned on her heel and left, her departure a clear sign for Leland to make his hasty escape. Despite being held for only a day, Leland looked a mess, his face shadowed by stubble, his body marked with bruises from a beating, and an unpleasant odor clinging to him.

Pinching her nose, Freya couldn’t hide her disgust. “You better take a cab home. Your mom is waiting to celebrate your birthday.” With that, she tossed Leland his phone.

Leland’s face darkened with anger. “Freya, it is all your fault!”

But his anger was pointless. With Kieran backing Freya, she could do as she pleased in Echo City.

Soon after Johanna received a call from Leland, she arrived to find her son looking disheveled, standing in the street outside the Sutton Mansion.

“My boy! How could you let yourself end up like this?” As Johanna approached, she smelled the stench emanating from Leland.

Leland was livid. “It’s all Freya’s fault! She must’ve cast some spell on Kieran, making him lock me up overnight! Mom, you must stand up for me and teach Freya a lesson!”

Unaware of his predicament, Johanna found herself in a tough spot. “That girl isn’t as easy to provoke as before. Calm down, take a bath, and change your clothes. We have your birthday party tonight.”

Leland was furious. “Birthday... What’s the point of celebrating my birthday now?”

Johanna tried to soothe him. “Trust me. I’ve spent a lot preparing this party and inviting influential guests. Just put on a good show, mingle with the right people, find a suitable girl, and our family will rise again. With the backing of the right family, we can take back The Dawson Group.”