?<strong>Chapter 498:</strong>


    Seething with rage, Theo dialed Freda’s number. Despite the incessant beeps for a whole minute, she never answered.


    His expression darkened as he realized Freda was resolute in making things difficult for Elyse.


    Determined, he called Zandra.


    She almost answered immediately, but before she could greet him, Theo said, “I must end things with Freda Jimenez. If you insist on this marriage, perhaps you should marry her yourself.”


    Concerned about the nascent coboration with the Jimenez family’spany, Zandra hastily inquired, “Why the sudden change? Didn’t you pledge to back the coboration?”


    Theo despised how his mother constantly used the coboration to manipte him. Without it, he would have already ended things with Freda.


    “I need to see Elyse. I can’t wait any longer,” Theo dered solemnly, his fingers tapping the keyboard as he scrolled through news and photos of Elyse’s championship on hisptop.


    Hearing Elyse’s name again, Zandra fumed. She snapped, “Can you not endure a little longer? I’m thinking of your future. You will inherit thepany. To marry Elyse, you need to be powerful.”


    Pausing, she added, “Remember, Elyse has married Jayden Owen. If youck power, how will you ever win her back?”


    G  a lno  ve ls . is where the magic begins


    Her words struck a chord, plunging Theo into a rare silence.


    Sensing his hesitation, Zandra softened her tone. “Theo, just hold on a bit longer. Once the Jimenez family’s interests are fully tied to ours, you can break up with Freda.”


    Theo sighed, his eyes reflecting inner torment. Nodding, he conceded, “Alright, I’ll endure it a while longer.”


    He ended the call, rubbing his face vigorously to alleviate his exhaustion before returning to his work.


    Freda wrapped her arms around her legs, her phone resting on the rock before her. She watched its screen light up with an iing call, then fade back to darkness.


    Her heart remained unmoved.


    She knew exactly why Theo was calling; she had anticipated it. And this call was also part of her ns.


    Yet, it was her father who had thwarted her ns.


    Never had she imagined her own father would undermine her happiness.


    Bitterness welled up within her.


    With Elyse’s victory in thepetition, Freda knew she had lost her leverage. How could she nowpel Theo to yield?


    “I thought it was Fiona sitting on the rocks. But it’s you.”


    A voice echoed, both familiar and strange, causing Freda to turn in surprise.


    “You—you’re Gavin Cramer, Elyse’s senior,” she recognized him and quickly stood, gazing at him warily.


    Tensely, she asked, “What do you want? Are you here to settle a score? Let me tell you I will never apologize to Elyse. You might as well give up.”


    Gavin stood casually, hands in his pockets. He could see the fear in Freda’s eyes, a smile ying on his lips.


    “Miss, it’s wise to leave some room for yourself; otherwise, you may find yourself embarrassed in the future.”


    “Here to avenge Elyse, are you? Who do you think you are?” Freda’s voice tried to project calm.


    “You’re mistaken. I was searching for another junior of mine and saw a woman sitting on the rocks from a distance. I thought you were her.” After a pause, Gavin looked Freda up and down and said in a helpless tone, “I didn’t recognize you until I got closer.”


    Freda sneered, “Disappointed, aren’t you?”


    Gavin nodded honestly. “Yes, a bit.”


    Freda’s teeth clenched with fury. She wanted to tear Gavin apart but realized just how tall he was.


    Gavin exuded a gentlemanly demeanor, one that others might find approachable. Yet, standing so close, Freda felt overwhelmed by his powerful presence.


    She quietly took a step back, still trying to appear fierce. “You’d better leave. Don’t me me if I get rude.”


    Gavin’s interest was piqued. “And if I don’t? What will you do?”


    Pointing at the river, Freda snapped, “You don’t leave, and I’ll push you into the water.”


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