"Lola, don't think you've climbed to the top. Mr. Ethan will never marry you because the child in your womb is a bastard!"

Diana leaned in close to sneer into Lola's ear with each word dripping with derision.

The socialites did not hold back and started ridiculing Lola as well. Every word they said made it impossible for Lola to maintain her composure until she felt the urge to hastily try to please them.

"Diana, don't you dare doubt it. My child is Ethan's!"

Diana scoffed. "Stop pretending. Do you think we don't know what type of person you are? Perhaps the child has more than one father!"

After she said that, all the socialites burst into laughter.

Lola's cheeks alternated between being pale and flushed. Still, she would not back down. "Just you wait. I'll make you regret saying this!"

"Sure. We'll be waiting right here. Let's see what tricks you have up your sleeve."

The socialites did not mind waiting around for entertainment. After all, everyone in the Austins was here. They were curious how Diana would clear up her reputation that night and forcefully pass off the bastard as the future heir.

Lola was now determined to turn the situation around. Regardless of what was happening, she swiftly grabbed Sophie's hand and whispered into Sophie's ear.

"Mom, when are we going public with the identity of the child in my womb?" Lola asked.

Sophie had been feeling annoyed, but what Lola asked made her eyes instantly lit up. She then looked at the guests around them and said, "Everyone, head downstairs. I'll have some happy news to share with you all later. As for the misunderstanding that happened earlier, it's all my fault as the mother. The confusion was caused by my lack of clarity.

"I've added a little something to the water, some nourishing herbs, because Freya had always been sickly. As for the conversation between Mr. Adams and me, I meant nothing by it. Still, Mr. Adams misunderstood me. Thankfully, nothing happened. Otherwise, I would have felt very guilty."

Sophie then walked over to Freya and Bradley. "Freya, Mr. Adams, I sincerely apologize for upsetting you through my unclear explanation. I'm so sorry."

The head that used to be held up high in pride was dipped down in a small bow before the two.

Upon seeing a change in the situation, Bruce stepped forward and said, "I'm really sorry, Mr. Adams. Today is my birthday celebration, yet you were insulted. It's my oversight. I'll make it up to you with a personal apology and a generous gift on another day."

Freya was disgusted by her family's behavior. The facts had been right in front of them, yet they insisted on twisting the truth. They were why her mother had fallen so hard from grace back then. Her opponents were just too strong.

Bradley's handsome face darkened. Just as he was about to speak up, Freya winked at him in a signal to keep quiet.

While he did not know what she wanted to do, Bradley still complied with her wishes and did not make a fuss.

"Very well. I'll be waiting for you, Mr. Lawson. This is my address."

Bradley handed a business card to Bruce whose lips tilted upward in a mocking smirk when he read the information printed on the card.

Except for the name and address written on it, the business card was quite blank with only an "S" imprinted on the paper. Bruce had thought Bradley was a powerful man from a prestigious family, but there was nothing to symbolize a high status. It seemed like Bradley was just a nobody.

Unbeknownst to Bruce, the simple "S" printed on the card was a symbol of Bradley's prestigious status. Just the mere presence of the card would be enough to make every underground organization in the city tremble in their boots.

Only a blind and useless fool like Bruce would think Bradley was a nobody.

However, as the Austins were waiting downstairs, Bruce did not want to linger any longer in this interaction. With a fake smile on his lips, he said, "Rest assured, Mr. Adams. I'll do as I say."

Despite what he said, it was no one's business but his whether or not he kept his promise after the banquet.

Bradley had humiliated, insulted, and even injured him in front of many guests. There was a blood feud between them now.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Bruce sternly instructed Freya, "Stay upstairs! Don't go down."

The witch had almost ruined the birthday banquet. Even if Sophie had been behind it all, the mere sight of Freya reminded him of her dead mother. It filled him with disgust.

Suddenly, the room was quiet with only Freya and Bradley standing within.

There was an eerie atmosphere in the air.

Freya looked at him and said in an icy voice, "Alright. You've played along with me, so it's time for me to fulfill my promise. Well, what do you want?"

When Sophie brought the crowd in, Freya and Bradley had reached an agreement where she would do him a favor if he helped her.

Of course, that favor excluded committing crimes or having sex with him.

Bradley abruptly leaned in close and whispered into her ear, "Don't rush to thank me yet. I don't think the show is over. Perhaps we'll have to keep acting."

Freya pursed her lips and took a step back to keep her distance from him.

"Why do you keep helping me?"

"Because…"

As he stopped talking, he took the chance to press her against the wall.

Freya's heart started racing all of a sudden.

Bradley gazed down at her face with dark eyes as he leaned closer until he was close enough for their breaths to meld together and brush against their cheeks.

"Because only I can bully you," he hoarsely said next to her ear.

Freya's mind went blank for a few seconds.

What did that mean?

This was only their third encounter. They were not close enough for him to start bullying her, right?

Upon realizing she would not speak, Bradley moved to meet her gaze with his dark and narrow eyes glinting with a hint of danger.

"You clearly knew the Lawson family would be after you. Why did you drink that glass of wine? If I weren't that 'scoundrel', would you have stabbed the man a few times to ensure they would be impotent forever?"

The stream of questions snapped Freya out of her daze. She stared at him, bewildered as she had not expected her mindset to be so transparent to him.

"How did you know?"

Bradley scoffed. "You just tried to stab me with a needle, so I guessed you would do that."

Freya narrowed her eyes at him. His eyes seemed to have the ability to read other people's minds, and it made her feel a vague sense of anxiety.

She had always thought she hid her true colors well, but before him, she seemed to be completely exposed.

Suddenly, her chin was tilted upward so that her eyes met his black eyes that seemed to shine like stars.

"I know you want revenge. I can help you."

Freya stared at him, confused.

"Reasons? Conditions?"