She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 783:

“Or maybe it’s like the kind of concern an older brother has for his little sister,” Gerard mused further.

Melvin replied, “But when I see her always with Ellis, practically glued to his side, it makes me uneasy. I just want to shove him away.”

“I already explained—that’s because you and Freya aren’t actually related,” Gerard reasoned, his voice still sharp despite the alcohol dulling his senses. “For the longest time, you were the only one assisting her at Anita International. It’s natural to feel threatened.”

Melvin didn’t say anything, lost in thought.

Gerard stood, clearly done with drinking for the night. “Let it go. Trust me.”

Melvin didn’t answer. He ignored Gerard’s advice. After sobering up a little, he got up to wash and get ready for bed.

Both men retreated to their separate rooms, freshened up, and lay down for the night.

Melvin didn’t overthink it. As soon as his head hit the pillow, he was out like a light. Gerard, however, lay awake, his mind restless. Knowing Melvin had no romantic feelings for Freya gave him some relief.

Given how things stood, Freya was stuck between Kristian and Ellis. If Melvin had a crush on her, he’d only be setting himself up for heartbreak.

Kristian had hurt her before, but Ellis had earned her trust. After all that time spent together, it was only natural for her feelings to shift.

If only Melvin weren’t so emotionally tone-deaf, if he could just express himself clearly, maybe things would’ve played out differently.

But alas, Melvin was emotionally aware.

Thankfully, his feelings for Freya were purely protective.

Gerard rubbed at his aching temples and reached for his phone. Just as he was about to respond to Kristian’s earlier messages, he saw a missed call notification. It was from Kristian himself. Gerard sobered instantly, hit with a jolt of panic.noveldrama

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He sat up straight in bed and returned the call without delay.

It was already 1:30 a.m.—he wasn’t sure if Kristian would still be up. As the dial tone echoed through the stillness, Gerard’s heart thudded in his chest.

After about seven or eight agonizing seconds, the call connected.

“Hello, Mr. Shaw,” Gerard said cautiously, his voice edged with apprehension.

“Getting bold, are we?” Kristian’s voice was low and ice-cold, dangerously calm. “Did you turn your phone off on purpose?”

Gerard rushed to explain, “No, not at all! I was just having dinner with Melvin and didn’t notice the battery died.”

“Send me a screenshot of your phone,” Kristian ordered flatly, cutting right through the lie.

He had seen Gerard’s phone fully charged earlier that evening. Only two hours had passed—no way the battery drained that fast.

If Gerard wanted to lie, he should’ve at least picked something less pathetic.

Gerard was left speechless. He glanced down at his phone—still over 80% battery life. He felt at a loss. Why couldn’t he have Freya’s uncanny talent for crafting flawless fake screenshots? If he did, he’d have sent one already.

“Actually, I was worried Melvin might see your messages,” Gerard said, mixing fact with fiction. “He was right next to me. If I kept replying or answering calls, he would’ve known it was you.”

That was part of it. But mostly, Gerard just didn’t want to deal with Kristian. Not tonight. And that, of course, he’d never admit.

“I don’t care what your excuse is. You have three days. Find out everything about Ellis Lambert.” Kristian’s voice was frigid.

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