Arthur's family would pay the price sooner or later, but Bradley did not want them to die so quickly. It was more interesting to torment them while they were alive.

Freya quietly sat on the bed. As she turned to look outside the window, her obsidian-like eyes reflected the bright light of the room, looking like an ethereal angel who had fallen from the sky and never touched a speck of dirt before.

"How was your studying just now? Do you need me to help you revise?"

Suddenly, Bradley's deep, mellow voice came into her ears, startling Freya and causing her to turn around abruptly.

As she met his unrestrained eyes, she shuddered.

He sat across from her with arms folded and lips curled upward in a smile.

"Why don't we experience it ourselves so that you can get used to it?"

It was not until that moment that Freya understood what he meant. She immediately blushed.

"Bradley, we had an agreement. You are not allowed to touch me."

"I won't touch you. Just study with you."

His deep and magnetic voice was extremely alluring. Freya looked at his faint smile which made her wish she could slap him.

He did it on purpose!

He was very charming and good at sweet talk. Unlike his cold exterior, he was actually a lascivious deep down.

Freya bit her lip. "I don't want to study. I want to sleep."

"Okay. Sleep then."

He looked at her blushing face with hands clamped over her ears. The smile in his eyes intensified. He got up from the wheelchair, lay down next to her, and naturally wrapped his arms around her waist.

The two of them were so close that Freya could even hear his heart beat and feel the warmth emanating from his chest. She pushed him away out of discomfort.

"Sleep in your own room."

"This is our room."

He deliberately blew into her ear, making her scalp tingle as she wished the ground would swallow her whole.

"You'll sleep on the bed. I'll sleep on the sofa!"

Freya blushed and moved to get out of bed but was soon pulled back into his arms.

"You said that once we've slept together, we are together. We're legally married. Naturally, we have to sleep together…"

Freya reached out and covered his mouth.

"I was just fooling around with Arthur and Lydia. Don't take it to heart," she barked out.

Bradley smiled and licked her palm.

"I took it to heart."

He liked to see her being shy with a flushed face with her moist lips and pitiful yet innocent eyes. She looked like a seductress.

The kiss made an electric shock run through her body. She immediately pulled back.

He was always messing with her. Every time, her heart would race.

She had not interacted with many men before, except for those from the village. The man he was closest to had been James.

However, she would not be as nervous or flustered when around James.

At that thought, she pushed him away and got off the bed.

"I'll sleep on the couch. You take the bed."

She couldn't get too close to this man. He was too good at disguising himself, and more importantly, she couldn't see through him at all.

The clincher was that Freya knew that the more she got to know him, the less she resisted being close to him. She even started to think that he actually looked quite pleasing to the eye.

Bradley caught her stealing a glance at him, and it made him smile. He had originally planned to reveal himself to her tonight, but her shy and cute demeanor made him changed his mind.

He decided to play along with her for a few days to give her a surprise.

Just as he was thinking this, someone knocked on the door.

His face went cold as he barked out, "What's the matter?"

"Mr. Bradley, Old Mr. Austin asks you to see you in his study."

"Okay."

Bradley returned to his wheelchair, glanced at the girl on the couch, and gently smiled, "Wait for me to come back. We'll sleep together."

Freya shuddered and hated herself so very much.

Why did she say that in the first place?

Bradley smiled and was about to leave when Frederick spoke once more. "Oh, Old Mr. Austin also wants you to bring Ms. Freya with you."

Bradley stopped and turned toward the couch. Then, he effortlessly pulled her onto his lap.

After letting out a cry of surprise, Freya wrapped her arms around his neck.

In the study.

Owen solemnly sat on the leather couch with a pot of fragrant premium chamomile tea before him.

Bradley carried Freya to the couch.

"Dad," he greeted.

Freya greeted Owen as well. Her face was so red that she looked just like how a young wife was expected to act.

Owen nodded and took a sip of his tea, before saying, "Bradley, I'm sorry for making you suffer all these years."

"Dad, you don't need to blame yourself. I haven't suffered at all."

Over the past seven years, Owen had protected and treated him like his own son. Bradley only felt gratitude for Owen with no hint of resentment.

Owen then turned to Freya and sternly said , "Freya, you don't need to put on an act before me anymore. I know you're not a fool."

Freya was taken aback by the revelation and glanced at Bradley.

Owen then continued, "Although I am old, I have never been wrong about other people. You are a smart girl. Your eyes cannot deceive me."

"Sorry. I didn't intend to deceive you." Freya hung her head. She had not expected Owen to be so shrewd as to see through her at a glance.

"I don't blame you. As long as you and Bradley live a good life, it doesn't matter whether or not you have a simple mind," Owen said, giving Bradley a meaningful look.

"Now that you are married, find a time to host the wedding banquet once more."

Pfft!

Freya almost choked on her saliva.

Had he called them over just to host a wedding reception?

Freya could not find a reason to refuse, so she nudged Bradley.

They had an agreement between them. He would not force her to do anything.

Bradley had not expected Owen to mention that. He wanted to marry Freya, but now was not the right time.

"Dad, let's not rush. Freya is still young. We can hold the wedding banquet at a later date."

Owen was startled. He frowned and said, "Bradley, you brought her over directly without any ceremony. You cannot keep doing this to her. It's wrong."

"Dad, I'm fine with it," Freya hurriedly said.

She could not marry Bradley. Once the wedding was held, they would be a married couple to the public. She would not be able to back out then.

Upon hearing that, Bradley's face darkened, and his tone was cold as he said, "Dad is right. We can't do wrong by you. We'll discuss the date later on."

His tone was firm, as if he was not asking for her opinion at all.

Freya looked at him with a pained expression, pleading with her eyes.

However, he completely ignored her.

She had spoken so quickly that it seemed like it would be a burden on her to marry him.

She did not want to marry him, but he insisted.