With this, Freya turned to leave.

"Freya!" Travis rushed over and grabbed her hand. "You and Chris are not right for each other! Haven't you realized it? You two differ in character. It's impossible for you to get along well or have a happy marriage. If you think the single spark between you will flare in the future, you're dead wrong!"

Freya knew she was wrong, dead wrong, but it was too late.

She wielded the knife at Travis. "Let go of me! Even there is no hope for Chris and me, I won't marry you! Travis, I'd rather be alone for the rest of my life than marrying a scoundrel. Are you clear?"

"..." Travis's eyes turned dim, and he said in low spirits, "Freya..." Freya would not accept his apology, so, he could not think of any other words to say.

"Put your knife down! We're police!"

Warning sounds came from outside before two policemen came in with their guns aiming at Freya.

"Someone reported to us that you got an attacker with a knife. Stay calm, miss, put your knife down. You may hurt others." The policeman tried to persuade Freya after finding her in an emotional state.

Freya laughed staring at the dark barrel. From her voice, Travis could tell she was desperate, sad, and mocking herself. He felt heartbroken for her. "Freya, put the knife down, please. You can beat me hard, just don't hurt yourself, okay?"

With a clattering sound, the knife fell on the ground from Freya's hand. Seeing this, the policemen rushed in and took hold of Freya at once. "Sir, she is my friend. This is our own business." Travis hurriedly explained.

"She went to your door with a knife and broke into your house, and even pointed the knife at you. This is absolutely lawbreaking," said the police. "We must take you to our office."

...

At this time, Joanne was watching a TV drama at home, so, when she received Freya's call, she could not react.

"Joanne, I can't let my parents see me like this." Freya's voice was low. "I can only look for your help."

Joanne stood up quickly. "Freya, don't panic. I'll be there for you in half an hour."

After hanging the phone, the first thing Joanne could think was to ask Brian for help.

Brian was in the study upstairs. She rushed in without even knocking the door. "Brian!"

Brian had never seen Joanne look so helpless like this moment except for the night in the Glasgow when she had a nightmare. He immediately asked her, "What's going on?"

"Freya was taken away by police." Joanne was agitated. "She went to Travis with a knife, and his neighbor called the police. Now, she is about to be detained."

Brian frowned at her words. "Don't panic. It's not serious since she did not hurt anyone."

"I have to go to the police station." Joanne stared at Brian helplessly. "Could you..."

"I'll go with you." Before Joanne could finish her words, Brian stood up and took her downstairs holding her hand.

It was the first time that someone around Joanne had been taken into the police station despite that she worked there. She was panicked because it was Freya being taken away, but, she felt somehow relieved with Brian.

Brian's black car headed forward on the road like a dragon swimming in the sea, and about forty minutes later, they arrived at the police station.

When Joanne finally saw Freya, a stab went through her heart.

Eyes swollen from crying, Freya looked lifeless and desperate, a look Joanne had never seen from her before.

Freya cherished her hair the most and always took good care of it, but now, it looked untidy.

"Freya." Joanne held her hands. "What happened? Did Travis hurt you?"

When Freya heard the words, her tears dropped down from her eyes like streams, and she looked like a doll who knew nothing but crying.

"Freya." Joanne hugged her. "Please tell me what happened. I'll help you. If Travis hurt you, I'll let him pay." Joanne realized the matter was serious, otherwise, Freya would not have looked so sad.

"No, you can't help me." Freya cried out. "Joanne, I can't solve this. It's my fault, I'm so sorry..."

From Freya's regretting words, Joanne realized the thing was not what she had thought.

"Freya, what's going on actually?" Joanne pursued the question hesitantly. "Is it... something about my brother?" Except for Chris, Joanne did not know anyone else who could make Freya so.

Freya explained the whole thing to Joanne in disjointed words while crying. The latter was shocked and overwhelmed after hearing it.

"No wonder she cried so bitterly. She made a big mistake, which disappointed my brother. She trusted the wrong person who betrayed her...

"She probably never thought Travis would betray her. She is snapped under the double blow."

"Joanne." Freya almost lost her voice in tears. "I hurt your brother and brought loss to Everbridge Group. Blame me, rebuke me, whatever you want, please." Freya spoke with her hands covering her chest. "I'm feeling so bad..."

Joanne hugged Freya more tightly after hearing her words.

If someone else had hurt her brother, she might blame him or her, but, she would not blame Freya, whose crying face almost broke her heart.

"Chris said he would not blame me." Freya's tears wetted Joanne's shoulder. "But, he won't care for me anymore. Joanne, he broke up with me before we could really start a relationship..." Freya cried like a child who left their parents for the first time.

Joanne knew Freya was pained, and her eyes were wetted. She did not know what to say but just fondled her back.

When Freya could not control her tears anymore, she buried her face on Joanne's shoulder, wailing like a small animal.

Brian had gone to see the head of the police station as soon as he arrived, and when he came out and saw Joanne and Freya hugging each other, he walked over and said, "Joanne, we can take Freya back now."

Freya was supposed to be detained according to law. Joanne helped Freya up without even thinking how Brian made her uncharged. "Freya, let me take you home."

At this time, Travis walked over to them and tried to say something to Freya, but Joanne stopped him. "Freya won't be willing to hear your voice now."

"Joanne, can you take care of Freya for me tonight?" asked Travis.

"For you?" Joanne sneered. "Freya is my friend; of course, I'll take good care of her, but it's not for you. Now, she has nothing to do with you."

With a depressed smile, Travis left the police station.

"Joanne." Freya called in a hoarse voice. "I want to go home."

Joanne wiped away Freya's tears. "Your home or your apartment?"

"My apartment. I can't let my parents see me like this." Freya smiled bitterly. "They will be scared by me."

Joanne told Brian the address of Freya's apartment after they got into his car, which was parked right at the gate of the police station. The black car slowly drew out into the traffic at a moderate speed.

Joanne let Freya rest on her shoulder and hugged her tightly. "Freya, buck up. My brother will make everything right."

However, they all knew Chris could only clean up after them but could not make up the loss.

"Mmm." Freya answered and closed her eyes, but Joanne knew she was awake and just wanted to clear her mind, so, she leaned head against her quietly.

Joanne helped Freya into her room as soon as they finally arrived, and when she went out, she found Brian still in the living room.

She poured him a glass of water. "I want to accompany Freya tonight, is it ok for you?"

"Yes," Brian replied. "Call me if you need help."

"Yes, thanks." Joanne nodded. "Go home and take a rest."

When Brian was about to out the room, Joanne suddenly called his name. He turned around as Joanne threw herself into his arms.

"Joanne." Brian fondled her hair. "It's ok. Get yourself a good rest."

Joanne hugged him tightly for several more seconds before letting him go. "I'll."

She saw Brian out and into the elevator and still did not want to go back in. Brian stared at her as he pressed the button to keep the elevator open. "Get back and lock the door. I can't bear to see you watch me leave."

Joanne pursed her lips and closed the door. Just several seconds later, she opened the door again and he was still there.

Brian pulled her out of the room and kissed her on lips.

"Woo..." Joanne was caught unprepared and fell into Brian's arms without a struggle.

Fortunately, Brian did not go too far and let go of her before long. "Go back and don't come out again." He was not sure he still wanted to leave if she opened the door again.

Joanne lowered her head shyly. "How did you know I would open the door again?"

Brian raised the corner of his lips and said, "I know everything in your mind."

Joanne raised her head in surprise, her tender eyes glittering.

"Do you know I love you?"

She did not have the nerve to utter her question but just shut the door with a blushed face and ran into Freya's room.

Brian could hear her footsteps though standing outside. Sure that she would not come out again, he went downstairs and did not head for his villa in the suburban area but for an apartment nearby.

Walking into Freya's room and seeing her on the bed, Joanne suppressed her shyness and joy and walked to her. "Freya, do you want to have a bath? I'll go to fill the tub for you."

Freya nodded emotionlessly after a while.

Joanne filled the tub with water and pushed Freya into the bath. She told her not to lock the door and that she would be right there waiting for her.

Freya did not reject her request and took off her own clothes mechanically before soaking herself into the water like a robot.

Joanne felt poignant for her. She went to the balcony of the living room and called Chris twice, but no one answered.

"That's right. He must be busy with making up the loss now, not free to answer my call."

About ten minutes later, the door of the bathroom was pushed open, and Freya came out clumsily dressed. Joanne went to her and tidied her dress before pushing her to sit on the sofa. "Wait for a minute"

She went into the kitchen and made Freya a glass of hot milk. "Have some milk and then go to sleep."

Freya took the milk and asked, "Did your brother answer your phone?" She guessed Joanne had called Chris.

"...Nope." Joanne shook her head. "He might go to sleep. Freya, how about you go to bed after drinking the milk?"

However, Freya knew it was not true. How could Chris fall asleep after such terrible thing happened? He had to be busy now.

Nevertheless, she still drank up the milk mechanically and went back to her room. She lay on the bed, staring blankly at the roof as if she were a soulless robot.

Joanne walked in and hugged Freya beside her when saw her look. "Freya, have a sleep. Everything will be fine when you wake up tomorrow."

"Is it so? Will everything be fine tomorrow?"

Freya turned over and closed her eyes with her back toward Joanne.

Joanne fondled her back as if she were comforting a hurt child.