When Freya walked back into the Dawson family home that afternoon, Johanna was eager to clear up any misunderstandings between Freya and Kieran.
When Johanna spotted Freya, she rushed over, exclaiming, "Freya, you're back! Why didn't you share your wonderful news earlier? I wouldn't have had to worry myself sick!"
Freya raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. "Johanna, weren't you about to ship me off to the Upton family?"
"No more! Certainly not!" Johanna waved her hands dismissively, "The Upton family? Small fish. How could they ever compare to Mr. Sutton?"
As Freya settled on the couch, Johanna leaned in closer, eager. "Freya, my dear, now that Mr. Sutton and Mr. Beckett are both courting you, who are you leaning toward?"
Confronted with Johanna's blatant probing, Freya leaned back and asked, "Who would you have me choose, Johanna?"
"The Beckett family might be loaded, but the Sutton family is the big cheese around Echo City. If we're picking, it will be Mr. Sutton! Plus, with the Sutton Group pressuring our company, siding with Mr. Sutton could get them off our backs, right?"
Johanna paused, her tone slipping into something sly. "But... given Mr. Beckett's interest in you, keeping him as a backup isn't a bad idea..."
"So, you're saying I should string Mr. Beckett along?" Freya retorted, her voice tinged with cold laughter.
Johanna hurried to clarify, "Oh, it's not about leading anyone on. We're just... weighing our options. If Mr. Beckett likes you, letting him wine and dine you, pulling some business for the Dawson family, that's fair game!"
Freya's response was a scoff.
Johanna's intentions were as clear as day.
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