The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Freya looked up, and upon seeing Kieran's stormy expression, she feigned confusion. "Mr. Sutton, clocking out early today, are you?"

"Freya! Cut the act with me!" Kieran marched over to Freya, slamming a document on her desk. "The government's pushing for rural development projects. You knew about this in advance, didn't you?" Seeing Kieran on the news, Freya replied innocently, "Mr. Sutton, I'm not sure what you're implying. How could I predict the government's moves? How could I have known in advance?"

"You didn't know? What about this then?" Kieran tossed a newspaper before Freya, "A spring was discovered in the Southern Suburbs! And you're telling me you didn't know about this either?" "Really?" Freya played surprised. "No way. I just bought some random piece of land. Am I about to hit the jackpot or something?"

"Freya Dawson!" Kieran's face grew darker.

Freya, however, remained indifferent, lounging on the bed without moving an inch.

Finally, Kieran said decisively, "This plot, it's gonna be Sutton Group's. I'll send you the contract. Just slap your signature on it."

"Sorry, I didn't say I'd agree."

Seeing Freya's defiance, Kieran said, "You must be aware of the Sutton Group's hot spring development project planned for the next six months."

"How could I know the Sutton Group's plans?" Freya looked at Kieran, puzzled. "Mr. Sutton, you can't just take things from me because this land will be profitable, right?"

"I'm not taking anything from you. I'll pay you."

Kieran replied coldly, "This project is too big for you. Wouldn't it be better to take the money and leave now?"

Hearing Kieran's words, Freya almost laughed out loud. Kieran was as arrogant as ever.

But seeing how much Kieran wanted the land, Freya played along, raising an eyebrow, "So, Mr. Sutton, how much are you planning to pay me?"

"Tenfold." Kieran declared, "You

bought it for half a billion. I'll give et

you ten times that. After that, the

Swnov

land belongs to the Sutton Group."

Freya scoffed internally. 'Businessmen will be businessmen.'

The land's value was immeasurable with the government subsidies and incentives, not to mention being designated as a significant development zone with a newfound spring Olt would find buyers, not just fifty billion, even at a hundre@billion. Kieran was banking on her unfamiliarity with business to lowball her.

"Freya, you should know the difference between the Sutton Group and Dawson Group. Don't think just because you've got control of the Dawson Group now, you're something special. This industry is too complex for you. There's a risk of tosing everything on this land. Wouldn't it be better to take the money and leave?" Kieran settled on the sofa nearby, assuming a negotiating stance.

Freya shook her head. "Ah, such tempting terms, you're making me consider it."

Seeing Freya react as he expected, Kieran finally relaxed, "As long as you're clear on it, sign."

"But... it's too late. I'd love to sell, but I'm powerless now."

"What do you mean by that?"

Staring down Kieran's questioning, Freya told him seriously, "Cause as of this morning, this land's already been swooped up by Ronan."