"If it were up to me, I'd chop her into pieces and feed her to the sharks. Putting her in jail would be too merciful!"

"Is that so? My woman had been hurt like this, do you think I could handle this calmly?" Bradley's tone was icy, his face grew even colder, his fists clenched involuntarily.

Xavier hurriedly interjected, "I understand you're angry, but your injuries are severe. It's best to refrain from impulsive actions for a few days."

Bradley ignored him.

He grabbed his phone and dialed a number, his voice low, "Prepare. Move the madam's birthday banquet to the hospital. Also, send a set of clothes over."

"Understood, Mr. Bradley."

A procession of black-clad bodyguards arrived at the hospital, each carrying bouquets of flowers. The sight drew the attention of bystanders,

The fragrance of fresh roses permeated throughout the entire hospital, completely overshadowing the potent scent of disinfectant in the ward.

In the corridors, numerous patients and their families had gathered, all craning their necks towards the prestigious ward, each filled with curiosity about the occupant who had received such an abundance of flowers.

They even speculated that the sender of the flowers must be a man deeply devoted to the woman in the ward!

Freya gazed around at the room filled with roses, her hand instinctively covering her mouth in astonishment.

Surrounded by the sweet fragrance of roses, the heavy mood brought on by pain gradually dissipated.

Suddenly, there was a loud "bang," and countless streamers and paper flowers burst through the doorway.

Freya was momentarily stunned.

She looked towards the door, where Madeline and Ella walked in side by side, each holding a cake.

"Darling, happy birthday," Madeline said with a smile.

"Sweetheart, happy birthday," Ella echoed.

Following closely behind them were Patrick, Xavier, and...

Bradley!

Freya watched as the man entered, her emotions swirling uncontrollably. Even before he uttered a word, her cheeks flushed crimson.

She hadn't anticipated such thoughtfulness from him, gathering Madeline and Ella, and even rallying his own brothers to join in celebrating her birthday.

Bradley held a large bouquet of fragrant roses as he rose from his wheelchair, exuding the demeanor of a royal prince. Freya's heart raced as she observed him, feeling as though a rabbit was thumping inside her chest.

Approaching her, he presented the roses, his voice warm and gentle.

"Mrs. Austin, happy birthday!"

Blushing, Freya accepted the roses, closing her eyes as she inhaled their sweet fragrance, momentarily lost in their dewy scent.

"Thank you, Bradley."

Bradley smiled, cupping her face and leaning down to place a tender kiss on her forehead. "From now on, I'll celebrate every birthday with you. You're not alone anymore. You have me, your friends, and our home."

His words, though sentimental, resonated deeply with Freya. Gazing into his tender, affectionate eyes, her cheeks flushed with warmth. "And my birthday gift?"

Bradley chuckled, retrieving a long, rectangular velvet box from a nearby bodyguard and offering it to her.

"You once said this was your mother's cherished possession. I've had it restored, and now it's returned to you."

Inside the elegant box lay a simple silver necklace.

Freya's eyes glistened as she beheld it.

"Allow me to assist you in wearing it." Bradley moved behind her, his large, warm hands brushing aside her hair as he fastened the necklace around her neck.

With their proximity, his comforting and enticing scent enveloped her, causing Freya's cheeks to burn with embarrassment.

Glancing towards the door, she felt self-conscious with so many eyes upon them!

Thankfully, Bradley swiftly finished, sparing her further embarrassment.

As Madeline lit the candles and Ella held the cake, they both smiled, "Make a wish!"

Casting a brief glance at the man beside her, Freya clasped her hands together and made her first birthday wish as a nineteen-year-old. A wish for a man.

After blowing out the candles, everyone departed, leaving Freya and Bradley alone together.

After all, at such times, anyone would feel superfluous!

The room was quiet, filled with the delicate blend of cake frosting and the sweet fragrance of flowers, enveloping the air in a sugary haze.

Bradley sat beside Freya, silently studying her face, his gaze tinged with a hint of darkness.

"The wish I granted you still holds true. You may make a wish to me today. And if you feel I haven't yet passed your test and wish to leave me, I understand..."

But before he could finish, the girl's slender fingers pressed gently against his lips. She raised her shimmering eyes to meet his, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"You've already passed my test. I'm ready to be your Mrs. Austin."

With her declaration, the man reached out, cradling the back of her head, and fervently kissed her. "Freya, I've been waiting to hear those words for so long."

It felt like an eternity before the kiss ended. Freya's cheeks were now several shades redder, as if they might burst with blood.

She lowered her gaze, too embarrassed to meet his eyes, meticulously replaying the kiss in her mind, growing increasingly perplexed.

If he hadn't been with other women, why was he such a skilled kisser?

Freya raised her head to meet his gaze, her fingers fidgeting nervously as she gathered the courage to ask.

"Have you treated your three former wives the same way?"

Bradley's dark, cold eyes narrowed slightly as he gently clasped her hand, his tone serious.

"I never even married them, and they only stayed at Royal Garden Mansion for a day at most. They don't count as my wives! The only woman I acknowledge as mine is you!"

With his words, Freya's heart skipped a beat, her resolve faltering. To mask her emotions, she absentmindedly toyed with the roses in her arms and casually inquired, "So you've never been intimate with them?"

"Never." The man's tone was firm and unwavering. He lifted her chin with his rough fingertips, compelling her to meet his gaze.

In his narrow, cold eyes, she saw her reflection. The blush on her fair skin softened his gaze, adding a touch of tenderness.

Glancing up at him, Freya felt her heart racing, as if a rabbit were pounding inside her chest. Unable to maintain her composure, she averted her gaze.

However, the man's fingers restrained her, rendering her immobile. With nowhere else to look, her gaze fell upon the man's collar.

He had changed into a new outfit, a black shirt and black trousers. Black suited him perfectly, accentuating his commanding presence and masculine allure.

Two buttons of his shirt were undone, revealing a glimpse of wheat-colored skin that exuded raw masculinity.

This man was truly captivating. Every glance, every movement of his exuded a compelling force that left her feeling uneasy.

She dared not meet his gaze, lowering her eyes. She noticed his legs elegantly crossed, still powerful and robust even under the fabric of his trousers, a testament to his strength.