Chapter 38 Accepting the Invitation
Chapter 38 Accepting the Invitation
+5 Free Coins
Susan’s face darkened for a moment on the other end of the line, but she quickly switched to a smile, her voice soft and sweet. “Freya, you’ve misunderstood me. How could I possibly be trying to laugh at you? I know you’ve been through a tough time and aren’t feeling great, but I’m absolutely on your side. I invited you out to comfort you. Please don’t misinterpret my good intentions.”
“Good intentions? Fine. If that’s what this is, then the one thing I need most right now is peace and quiet. I just want to be alone, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t disturb me.” Freya didn’t believe a word she said.
But when she looked up, she saw Louis mouthing something at her: “Say yes.”
Freya froze for a moment, not quite processing why Louis would want her to meet with Susan. On the phone, Susan’s voice continued:
“Freya, don’t start pushing everyone away just because of what you’ve been through. Not everyone wants to step on you or laugh at your misfortune. Even if I can’t do anything else, I can at least talk with you and cheer you up a bit. You’ve been holding everything in for so long–are you really going to keep suffering in silence?”
In the past, Susan had always played the role of the wise, caring older sister to the cannon fodder. Whatever Freya told her, she’d use. That’s why whenever Susan asked her to do something, she’d do it. And because of that history, Susan naturally assumed Freya’s coldness now was just her being a little tsundere.
“Alright then. Since you insist, I’ll come see you. I’d like to hear what you have to say.” Freya had gotten Louis‘ message, so she had no choice but to agree. On the other end of the line, Susan sounded pleased. They chatted briefly, then hung up.
“Why did you want me to meet her? I already know she’s no good. A lot of the mistakes I made before were because she led me into them. I don’t need her sympathy,” Freya asked the moment she put the phone down.
Louis set down his fork, voice calm. “Ms. Susan has always been the type to never show up unless there’s something in it for her. Before, she reached out to get information about me. Now that you no longer have that kind of value, but she’s still trying to contact you, it means she’s found something else about you she can use. If you don’t meet with her, she’ll just find another way.”
Freya understood instantly. The subtext was: since you can’t avoid it anyway, you might as well meet her head–on. Sure enough, Louis continued:
“It’s always better to retain some degree of control than to have none at all. And it’s better to be alert to someone’s intentions than to be kept in the dark and manipulated behind your back.”
“Yeah, I get it.” Freya did understand. It’s just that in her previous life, she’d never had to think this much. She still hadn’t fully adjusted to her new role–let alone to this unfamiliar world.
But still… Louis was usually so quiet. Was he trying to teach her something by saying all this?
Across from her, Louis picked up his fork again and resumed eating at his usual unhurried pace. From Freya’s angle, he looked as elegant as ever, showing not the slightest reaction to the fact that someone had tried to manipulate him.
Of course he was the one being targeted. As a mere cannon fodder, Freya couldn’t imagine what value she had for someone like Susan. The only one worth scheming against… was Louis, the true big shot.