Sophie dared not speak any further, for Bradley's face was icy cold, as if he would take her life if she uttered another word.

In the end, Sophie, trembling with fear, followed the furious Bruce out.

Bradley watched their departing figures with darkened eyes.

If it weren't for Freya's request, he wouldn't have easily let the Lawson family off today. Bruce and Sophie's treatment of Freya alone warranted death a thousand times over.

He used to think she pretended to be foolish because she didn't trust him. But today, hearing those words from her, Bradley understood that she pretended to be foolish to survive.

Just like him, pretending to be disabled, blind, and ugly for so many years, all for the chance to turn the tables, to crush his enemies underfoot.

But Freya was different from him. Before that big fire, he was the most glorious and proud young master of the Austin family, wielding power over the entire Austin Group. Even when Arthur plotted against him, he was always accompanied by bodyguards.

However, Freya was different. She was abandoned at the age of twelve, in an environment where everyone was a wolf. She could only survive by enduring humiliation and carrying heavy burdens. With no one to rely on, she only had her own strength.

Bradley glanced at her. She was only nineteen, an age where girls should be princesses in their parents' hearts. Yet she had shouldered a harbor with her slim shoulders.

He really couldn't imagine what kind of strength had kept her going until now, even transforming her into the formidable Freya she was today.

At this moment, his heart ached, and he just wanted to hold her tightly and give her some warmth.

What he said to Bruce just now wasn't a joke. He wanted to protect her, to spend his whole life ensuring her safety and happiness.

Freya was caught off guard when he suddenly embraced her. She struggled for a moment, but the man held her even tighter.

"Let me protect you from now on. Whatever you want to do, I'll help you. I'll help you seek justice for your mother, and I'll help you find the person you're looking for. But Freya, you don't have to be so strong in front of me..."

The man's voice was hoarse, each word striking Freya's heartstrings and stirring ripples.

She looked up at the man's star-like eyes and smiled at him. "The injustice to my mother can only be avenged by me. But you can continue helping me find Herbie Jenkins. However, today, I want to sincerely thank you. Thank you for arranging the opportunity for me to confront the Lawson family."

On the way back from the mountain, she had been thinking about this. Since Lola was locked in the basement, she would let Bruce and Sophie come and take her away.

It was a perfect opportunity to give them a warning that she was about to seek revenge.

Sophie thought she had covered up the past perfectly. Nobody knew about her and Wilson Williams' affair. Freya deliberately brought it up today to make Bruce suspicious of her, to sow discord between the two of them.

At the same time, she wanted Sophie to remember what she had done and make her anxious.

Once people become guilty, they tend to reveal their flaws. Today she laid it all out, and Sophie would scramble to cover it up. By then, it wouldn't be difficult for them to investigate and find clues.

She feared that after tonight, Bruce's suspicious nature would dig up Sophie's secrets, and the Lawson family wouldn't have a peaceful time soon.

Of course, she wanted to do more than just this. She wanted to expose Sophie's true face, ruin her reputation, and lock her up for life in disgrace!

"If you want to thank me, words alone won't do. Show some substantial gratitude!"

Bradley suddenly leaned close to her ear and said, his warm breath enveloping her, making Freya blush deeply.

She turned to look at the man, only to see his narrowed eyes and a wicked smile playing on his lips.

Knowing what he meant, Freya pursed her lips. She didn't want to do it, so she opted to feign ignorance instead.

"What do you mean by 'substantial'?"

The man saw through her facade and seized the opportunity to hoist her onto the desk, leaning in for a kiss.

"Like this. You kiss me..."

Freya burst into tears. This man's voice was so deep. He was so teasing and coaxing, but he was almost forcing her to commit a crime!

She pushed him away, asserting, "Remember our agreement. You can't coerce me into anything, including intimate acts like kissing."

"I've had Frederick include a photo of our marriage certificate, stamped by the Civil Affairs Bureau. Would you like to see it?" He whispered deliberately in her ear, his warm breath enveloping her, observing her ears blush with satisfaction.

Freya bit her lip, her flushed lips tempting. Softly, she responded, "We're just playing a role. There's no need to take it seriously. Once we've achieved our goals, we'll inevitably part ways..."

Before she could finish, the man's fervent kiss interrupted her. He understood her unspoken words but was unwilling to grant her an opportunity to leave his side, holding onto her hand firmly.

"Let me kiss you and hug you. I promise Dad I'll go back to work at the company tomorrow. We'll have much less time to meet in the future. Of course, what I hope even more is that you can be by my side, serving as my secretary!"

Freya's heart fluttered again, and she tried to keep herself calm. "I've already told you, I have my own things to do. You focus on your work, don't worry too much about me."

She was already a little tempted. If she were to work closely with the man every day, she feared she wouldn't be able to resist his charm and might gradually fall for him.

Now she had begun to waver, even the thought of parting was making her heart ache.

It was a feeling she had never experienced before. It seemed that under the man's coaxing, she was slowly being drawn to him.

Bradley hugged her and kissed her for a while. When both of them were feeling a bit suffocated, he reluctantly let her go.

Freya blushed and ran back to the bedroom, just as Mr. Austin entered.

"Dad," Bradley respectfully went forward to assist him, leading him to sit on the sofa.

"Bradley, I've taken care of the company's affairs. You just need to go to work tomorrow. As for Arthur, that rascal, just give him any position to keep him occupied. The real power of the company is in your hands. I believe that under your leadership, the Austin Group will only get better and better."

"Don't worry, I will handle it," Bradley said calmly as he brewed a cup of coffee for the old man. Despite his father's verbal assurances, Bradley knew he wouldn't completely abandon Arthur.

After all, Arthur was his biological son, while Bradley was just a foster child!

"By the way, now that you've recovered, what are your plans for Solterra?"

Mr. Austin's tone was somewhat humble as he spoke, even his gaze carried an inscrutable sense of respect and reverence.