The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday novel Chapter 44

"Freya..." When Kara saw Freya, fear took hold, and she stood up, ready to back away. But Kieran grabbed her wrist.

"Just where do you think you're running off to? You're not done yet. I didn't say stop, so get back down and keep cleaning my shoes," Kieran said, his tone even and unbothered.

"Yes, Mr. Sutton," Kara replied, kneeling back to polish Kieran's shoes.

Meanwhile, Kieran leaned back in his office chair, addressing Freya, "Freya, there are things you won't do, but plenty of others will, and... they might even do it better than you."

"Mr. Sutton, I didn’t come here to watch you be vile," Freya responded, her tone icy.

Unfazed, Kieran replied, "All you need to do is apologize to Ellie on your knees. If you do that, I’ll pretend none of this ever happened, and the engagement party will go on as scheduled in two days. Plus, I'll make a hefty investment in the Dawson Group."

Seeing Freya remain silent, Kieran scoffed, "It’s just an apology. Your knees have always been flexible, and you’ve knelt before. What? Can’t do it now?"

He stood up, walked over to Freya, and said, "If you’re going to be a lapdog, at least play the part. Weren’t you always so obedient?"

Feeling Kieran’s proximity, a chill ran through Freya.

She took a step back to put some distance between them and eventually sat down on the couch reserved for guests."Mr. Sutton, let me remind you. I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Johanna begging me. As for your threats of pulling your investment or causing trouble, I couldn’t care less. And apologizing to Ms. Harwood..."

Freya looked up at Kieran, a smile playing on her lips. "It's not like I held a knife to her throat and forced her to harm herself. Why should I apologize?"

At her words, Kieran's smile faded.

Freya’s indifferent attitude left Kieran with a knot of frustration in his chest that he couldn’t untangle.

Kieran said coldly, "Think carefully before you speak, Freya."