?<strong>Chapter 617:</strong>


    Reflecting on the remarks of the three youngdies, Freda furrowed her brow in bewilderment and asked, “Gavin, what does your family actually do? Are you merely a violinist?”


    “Ie from a regr family. Don’t overthink it,” Gavin responded calmly.


    He then inquired, “When do you n to leave?”


    “I’m heading out. You needn’t worry about me. I have a driver,” Freda scoffed.


    Gavin kept his expression neutral. He had only asked out of courtesy and didn’t intend to drive her home. After Gavin departed, Freda found herself without a goal.


    She pondered what else she could do if she stayed. It wasn’t until she spotted Theo that she felt a reason to remain.


    Freda felt hurt that Theo had not kept his promise to dance the first dance with her earlier. Although she didn’t want to approach him again, she found herself walking towards him despite her intentions.


    Theo was engaged in a cheerful conversation with a woman, both of them smiling. Upon noticing Freda’s approach, Theo’s expression briefly turned into a frown, but he quicklyposed himself. He leaned down, whispered something to that woman, and then she departed with a smile.


    After the woman left, the smile vanished from Theo’s face. He looked at Freda sternly and asked, “Why do you keep following me around? You seem to find me wherever I go.”


    Hearing Theo’s harsh words, Freda felt a sharp pain in her heart as if it had been stabbed by a de. She managed a forced smile and replied, “Can’t Ie over to talk to you?”


    Theo said impatiently, “I really don’t see what we have to talk about. You should know better than anyone that I have no feelings for you, none at all. I dislike you intensely. Why do you keep approaching me?”


    His harsh words and evident disdain were hurtful. Freda’s expression darkened with sadness. She replied, her voice filled with hurt, “I just haven’t seen you in a long time and wanted to say hello and catch up.”


    Theo looked at Freda coldly and demanded, “You don’t still think there’s a chance for us, do you? Do you still have feelings for me? Freda, I say this onest time—I have no feelings for you. The only person on my mind is Elyse. If Elyse were toe to me, I’d propose in a second. But marrying you is out of the question.”


    Frozen, Freda’s eyes welled up with tears. She still attempted to express her feelings to Theo. She believed her love was just as strong as Elyse’s. She was convinced she could offer Theo the same affection and even surpass what Elyse had given him.


    However, Theo refused to listen. He was aware of Freda’s feelings towards him, but his heart was reserved for Elyse. He understood the challenges of being with Elyse, yet he couldn’t let go of her. Theo clung to the love he once received from Elyse, unwilling to ept anyone else’s affection.


    Perhaps feeling a bit of sympathy for Freda, Theo decided to be kinder and help her understand the situation better, encouraging her to move on.


    He remarked, “Freda, you need to let go of your fixation. Our rtionship was initially about linking our families through marriage to strengthen existing resources and forge new alliances. When two families can’t coborate for mutual gain, it undermines potential connections.”


    He paused, then continued, “Do you understand? Our rtionship was based on interests from the start. When those interests are no longer served, we part ways. I’ve always been clear about this, so I have no romantic feelings for you. All I considered was the advantage I would gain by being with you.”


    Freda was aware that their rtionship was fundamentally an exchange of benefits, yet she deluded herself. She convinced herself that Theo might harbor some feelings for her.


    However, the more she believed this, the more Theo feltpelled to confront her with the harsh reality to help her face the truth.


    Freda faced Theo and asked, “Why are you soposed?”


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