Chapter 46
Adam gave Yosef an address and hung up the phone.
Then he looked up at Freya and warned, “If you ever lay a hand on me again, don’t blame me for what happens next.”
Freya was fuming at being threatened by a child, but there was nothing she could do. Talk about being born lucky.
She clenched her jaw and forced a smile. “Adam, I didn’t mean it like that. I was just playing around.”
Adam stared blankly at her. “You’re a grown woman and still pulling childish pranks? How immature.”
Freya was ready to explode. She clenched her fists so hard her knuckles cracked, doing everything she could to stop herself from lunging at the brat and strangling him.
“I know I was wrong. I’m sorry,” she ground out.
Adam let out a humph and tilted his chubby little chin at her. “I don’t accept your apology.”
With that, he strutted past her, arms crossed like a smug little emperor.
Freya’s face turned stormy. Her teeth ground together audibly as she stared daggers at him, practically radiating hatred.
That night, once everyone had gone to bed, the house finally fell quiet. The only sound was the wind rustling through the leaves outside.
The next morning, the first thing Skylar did was check on Adam. She opened the door and found him sitting on the bed, putting on his clothes all by
himself.
She smiled. “Getting dressed on your own? That’s impressive.”
Adam beamed proudly, hurried to finish dressing, then leapt into her arms with a soft hug. “Mommy!”
She pinched his squishy cheeks, amused. “Let’s go, Time for breakfast.”
“After breakfast, you’re coming to the office with me,” she added. With Freya still at home, she didn’t want to risk another incident like yesterday.
Adam’s eyes lit up. “Awesome! I get to go to work with you!”
Skylar looked down at him. “That exciting, huh?”
Adam nodded eagerly. “Of course! I love being with you, no matter what we’re doing!”
Skylar reached out and gently tousled his hair.
When they sat down at the table, Freya was already there. She didn’t look up once, silently eating with her head down. Not a single word.
Carlos and Yana made some casual conversation, and breakfast passed peacefully.
After eating, Skylar took Adam with her to the company.
Since Carlos and Yana had no plans that day, they stayed home.
Freya, not wanting to spend the day stuck with them, found an excuse and went out.
Meanwhile, at the Stone family, ever since she returned from the hospital, Elianna had been deeply unsettled.
She worried that the bond between Skylar and Adam would only grow stronger. If Skylar used that connection to win back favor with the Campbell family, what place would she have left in it?
1/3
08:12 Sat 28 Jun (70)
Chapter 46
The thought made her lose her appetite entirely.
Just then, her phone rang. She picked up, sounding drained. “Hello?”
“Elianna, it’s me–Nadia,” came the chirpy voice on the other end. “Beautiful weather today! Want to go shopping?”
Elianna was in no mood to entertain her, but just as she was about to decline, an idea struck her. She swallowed her refusal and instead replied sweetly, “Sure! Give me a minute to get ready.”
After freshening up, she headed out to meet Nadia.
They strolled around for a bit, then ducked into a café for coffee and a break.
After a sip, Elianna casually brought up, “Hey, how much do you know about the Lambert family?”
She had tried digging up information on them before, but there was barely anything online, and her social circle didn’t stretch far enough to reach the
likes of the Lamberts.
Nadia thought for a moment. “A fair bit, I guess. Sometimes I go with Phil to their parties.”
“What’s the Lambert family like?” Elianna asked carefully.
Nadia looked at her curiously. “Why the sudden interest?”
Elianna paused, then smiled. “Just curious about the lives of billionaires, that’s all.”
Satisfied with the answer, Nadia didn’t press further and began sharing what she knew. “Remember I told you the Lambert recently welcomed back a daughter?”
Eljanna nodded, sipping her coffee.
“Well, there’s another daughter–Freya. She has three older brothers.”
Elianna’s eyes sparkled. “How does the Lambert family treat Freya?”
“Pretty well, I guess. But… well, no one beats blood relatives,” replied Nadia.
“What do you mean?” Elianna leaned forward eagerly. “She’s not their biological daughter?”
“Yeah, kind of like Skylar, actually,” Nadia clicked her tongue. “Let’s face it–people are biased. Now that the real daughter’s back, things are bound to shift. Freya’s life might still be comfortable, but it’s not what it used to be.”
“Oh, and I heard the family handed a company over to Skylar. As for Freya…” Nadia trailed off, shaking her head.
Elianna’s lips curled into a smirk.
‘Skylar… looks like I’m not the only one who wants to see you fall. She thought to herself.
Elsewhere, Freya was out shopping with a friend. Even though she’d bought a ton of stuff, she was still in a terrible mood.
“You seem really out of it today,” her friend said.
“I’m just tired.” Freya sighed. Her chest felt tight/her thoughts a mess, and the weight on her shoulders unbearable.
“Let’s find a place to sit,” her friend suggested.
They found a small restaurant and ordered something light.
On the other side, Nadia suddenly zoned out, staring across the room. Elianna followed her gaze. “What are you looking at?”
2/3
08:12 Sat, 28 Jun W
Chapter 46
“That’s Freya,” Nadia whispered excitedly, pointing at Freya.
Elianna’s eyes widened. What luck!
Nadia tugged her along enthusiastically.
“Ms. Freya! What a coincidence!” Nadia greeted with an ingratiating smile.
Freya glanced up, annoyed. ‘A lowly mistress dares speak to me?‘ She thought. But still, she forced a polite expression. “Hello, Ms. Jenkins.”
Encouraged, Nadia offered, “Since we ran into each other, why not grab a bite together?”
“No thanks,” Freya said coldly. “We’ve got a project to get to.”
Elianna chimed in, smiling. “Why not join us?”
Freya narrowed her eyes. “And you are?”
“Elianna,” replied Elianna. “Elianna Stone.”
Stone? Freya thought, her face darkened. The same surname as the oh–so–perfect Skylar. Disgusting.
She was clearly irritated. Elianna noticed the change and smiled even more brightly.
“Ms. Lambert, how about we chat in private? I think we could help each other,” added Elianna.
“Not interested,” Freya said flatly.
“Don’t be so quick to turn me down,” Elianna leaned in and whispered, “What if I told you I can help you bring down Skylar?”
Freya’s eyes flickered. She looked up slowly. “Well then, Ms. Stone, it would be rude of me to refuse such a gracious invitation.”
AD
