Lydia did not have a scapegoat in mind at first, but now she did.

She disliked Bradley, and Brian's family was also a thorn in her side. Thus, she could seize this chance to strike down both of them.

She would be killing two birds with one stone, and it was a perfect plan.

The departure of James did not affect anyone at the table, but everyone was now preoccupied with their own thoughts.

Bradley kept serving Freya food, and Owen was very pleased to see just how affectionate they were.

After the meal.

Bradley ignored Freya's embarrassment and forcefully carried her back to their room. Lydia, having discovered a shocking secret, dragged Arthur away.

Meanwhile, Susan was busy grabbing a tray of food for James. He had not taken a single bite at the dining table, so she would send some food up to him while checking on him.

His uncle and aunt were visiting. James should have stayed until the end of the meal, at the very least. How could he be so rude as to leave midway through the meal?

James was raised with excellent manners, so he should not have acted so willfully and recklessly.

When Susan pushed the door open, she found James sitting on the couch and looking down at a photo in his head.

The sound of the door opening made James immediately put the photo away.

"James, what are you hiding? Do you have a girlfriend?"

"I don't, Mom."

James slid the photo into his pocket so no one else could see it.

"I saw it, and it was a photo of a girl around your age. If you really have a girlfriend, bring her back to meet me," Susan said as she sat down next to him with a gentle smile on her face.

His eyes darkened slightly, with a hint of unnoticed sorrow flashing across them.

"She is just a friend of mine, Mom. Don't overthink it."

Upon seeing that he refused to say more, Susan did not continue to press for answers as her son had never been the talkative type and would always keep things to himself. If he did not want to speak, then not even a crowbar could pry his mouth open.

"You ate nothing, so I brought you some food. Eat while it's hot."

"Thanks but I'm not hungry."

"How can you not be hungry? You haven't eaten a single bite," Susan worriedly said.

James stood up from the sofa and said, "I ate before coming home. I still have business to attend to, Mom. Go get some rest."

"Alright, if you get hungry, tell me. I'll make you something to eat."

Susan left with the tray of food. The moment the door closed behind her, James took out the photo and looked at it with eyes filled with sorrow.

The girl in the photo was wearing a floral dress and dancing gracefully in a sea of flowers. She looked like the purest and most exquisite sprite alive. Evidently, she noticed someone looking at her and had turned around with panic-filled eyes that shone like gemstones.

Freya…

We meet once again, yet you are now my aunt.

Fate loved to play jokes on humans. He had just missed out on her.

In the room next door.

Bradley was sitting on the couch with Freya in his arms. His entire being radiated an icy aura.

Freya was confused. Why was he suddenly throwing a temper tantrum?

They had not spoken a single word since the meal, and his face had been very dark. Just who had angered him?

He said nothing, so she said nothing and kept twiddling her fingers.

Due to the great airflow in the mansion and the fact that she was full, Freya began to feel sleeping. Just as she was about to doze off, Bradley spoke up.

"Tell me, what are you hiding from me?"

The sudden question startled Freya, instantly driving away her drowsiness.

He had realized she was pretending to be simple-minded then.

She bit her lip as her heart raced.

Too many things had happened lately. She was acting too smart. Even a fool would have realized she was putting on an act.

Freya looked at him as she thought of how to explain herself.

He was not as scary as the rumors said. Conversely, he had always protected her.

She felt like she could trust him and be honest with him.

Her silence prompted him to wheel himself closer to her. His cold gaze surrounded her as if he was trying to see through her.

Freya looked into his eyes.

"Mr. Bradley, I am actually…"

"You know James?"

He interrupted her before she could finish her sentence. There was a dark glint in his eyes.

Freya was stunned.

His eyes were cold, and his face was dark, just like the first time they met.

"He kept looking at you at the dining table. What's your relationship?"

Freya finally snapped out of her thoughts. He's actually angry over James instead of her act as a fool.

She lowered her eyes as she hesitated.

She had met James by chance. Frankly speaking, James had played quite a role in who she was today.

However, their relationship had not gone to the point where she could be completely honest with him.

If she told him about this, her actual identity would be exposed. She might even implicate James.

"Freya, trust in me. Rely on me. I am your husband now." He ran a hand through her hair. "No matter what happened in the past or why you married me, I'll take it all in stride."

His words were very sincere and came from the bottom of his heart, causing her heart to tremble in response.

She looked up into his eyes and clenched her fists.

Could she trust him?

She was conflicted. Bradley might know she had been playing a fool and was only teasing her like she was an actual fool, but he never showed her his true self. She could not tell what he was thinking at all.

She did not know if he liked her or just thought of her as a tool.

Thus, she could not completely trust him.

"Freya, I won't force you. I'll use my sincerity to move you, to make you be sincere with me in return."

Bradley knew her well. They were the same type of person.

They had dual natures and walked the line between light and dark. They lived for revenge.

Thus, they were extra cautious as the slightest mistake could lead to failure.

That was why he would not pressure her. Once the time was right, he would reveal his true self to her and become a warrior who could protect her.

However, everything about James already gave him a sense to danger. He had to know what their relationship was.

He did not care if they knew each other before. Freya was his. No one was allowed to covet her.

Freya was stunned.

What he said just reminded her of Adams.

During that birthday banquet, he said the same thing to her.

As she stared at the somewhat familiar face, emotions warred in her. Was she just overthinking it?

Seeing that she was lost in thought again, he stroked her head. "Rest. You can find me in the study or call for Frederick if you want to go on a walk."

"Okay."

She obediently nodded.

Bradley then left the room. The smile on his face vanished, causing his face to look as cold as winter's frost.

He headed to the study and made a call.

"Investigate the relationship between Freya and James."

"Yes, sir."