Freya's heart felt like it had been pierced through with blood seeping out as pain overwhelmed her brain, making her feel dizzy. The umbrella in her hand also fell to the ground, as the storm raged on around her.

Soon, she was soaked through.

She felt like a lost soul, walking alone on a deserted street.

At that moment, a pair of glaring headlamps shone on her.

Instinctively, Freya reached up to shield her eyes. Then, she heard the sound of emergency brakes as the car's tires skidded, causing a loud noise to echo in the rainy night.

Ivan broke out in cold sweat. As the area was for the rich to live in, there were hardly any people out at night.

Especially since it was raining heavily.

He only had his headlights on and did not honk when driving around the area, but then someone suddenly rushed out. Out of fear, he hurriedly slammed on the brakes.

Luckily, the car only skidded and did not hit the person.

"Mr. Fenton, I'll go down and take a look."

Ivan wiped the sweat from his face and got out of the car with an umbrella only to realize he was looking at a disheveled Freya.

"Miss Lawson? It was you."

Freya was also surprised to see Ivan in the area.

Since Ivan was driving, Lance had to be in the car too.

She was soaked through and shivering from the cold. Apologetically, she smiled at Ivan. "I'm sorry. I didn't see the car because of the heavy rain. I almost gave you trouble."

She was about to leave when Ivan hurried back to the car to report to Lance.

"Mr. Fenton, it's Miss Lawson. She looks like she's not in a good mood, though."

"Let her in the car."

"Alright, Mr. Fenton."

Ivan caught up with Freya and held his umbrella over her head, instantly providing her with a slice of a clear sky.

"Miss Lawson, where are you going? I can give you a ride."

Freya lifted her head and stared blankly at the rain-drenched street before a forced smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. "No need. With how I am, I might dirty your car."

With that said, she continued walking forward.

Ivan glanced back at Lance who was still inside the car.

"It's okay. The car can be washed if it gets dirty, but you'll get sick if you continue to be drenched in the rain."

Freya was about to refuse when she heard the muffled sound of footsteps behind her. Lance had gotten out of the car with a black umbrella in his hand.

He signaled to Ivan with his eyes, and after Ivan stepped back, he propped the umbrella above Freya's head.

"Come on. I'll drop you off at your home."

Freya turned to look at the person behind her. His handsome face was blank with his enigmatic eyes that were even more mysterious than his thoughts. He was like a statue with completely unfathomable thoughts.

Freya did not move, and Lance didn't move either.

The two were stuck in this stalemate for a long time. It was so long that the air seemed to have turned to ice. Suddenly, Freya sneezed.

She was on her period, and getting caught in the rain at this time could easily lead to a cold.

Ivan drove the car over, parked beside them, got out, then opened the car door.

Freya could not refuse and had to get in the car.

Ivan gave her a clean towel and then turned up the heat inside the car.

She quickly dried her hair but could not help sneezing several times.

At that moment, a warm, masculine scent filled the car. Freya felt a weight on her shoulder, and a male suit jacket was draped over her.

She looked at the man beside her who looked as cold and indifferent as before, acting like he was not the one who gave her the jacket.

Lance was wearing a white shirt and a pair of dark gray trousers with his hair neatly styled. Coupled with his perfect and handsome face, he exuded a charm that was captivating.

Freya was somewhat curious about Lance.

It seemed that she had seen him a few times, always with that cold expression along with the dignified and aloof demeanor that made him difficult to approach.

As they rode together, neither of them spokes.

Freya provided the address to Ella's apartment as she did not plan to return to the Royal Garden Mansion.

Soon, the car stopped in front of the apartment building. Freya opened the car door, ready to get out.

Just then, a hand grabbed her wrist as a deep male voice echoed in the car,

"How have you considered the matter I mentioned last time?"

Last time?

Freya then recalled what it was. Lance had asked for help with his illness.

"Give me a few days to consider. I will tell you."

She was not in the mood to cure him right now. Her mind was a mess, so full of chaotic thoughts that it made her feel somewhat breathless.

"Okay. I'll wait for your message." Lance gently released her hand. He also got out of the car before she could so that he could hold out an umbrella to shelter her from the wind and rain.

The white shirt blended into the black night while a faint woody scent lingered around him that seemed mature and sexy yet with an ability to soothe which she could not name.

Freya smiled at him, allowing the man to hold the umbrella for her until she entered the elevator.

...

Ella stood on the balcony and saw a man escorting Freya back. Her eyes narrowed.

The doorbell ringing brought her out of her thoughts as she moved to open the door.

When she saw Freya in a disheveled state, her whole body froze.

"What happened?"

Without saying a word, Freya simply staggered forward and fainted.

She has been drenched in the rain for far too long. The cold had seeped into her body. Combined with her severe menstrual cramps, she could not stay awake any longer.

Downstairs.

The dark grey Maybach had not left.

The heavy rain rolled down the car windows, forming a thin shield that obscured the vision of the people inside the car.

Lance sat in the back seat, the sight of that stubborn figure gradually walking away struck a strange chord in him.

The hand that held her wrist just now was still warm. She was very thin. All he felt were her bones.

Since she was Bradley's woman, why did she run out to get soaked in the rain in the middle of the night?

Lance squinted his narrow eyes as he smiled.

He seemed to have developed an interest in this girl.

A few days ago, he had Ivan investigate her and found out that she was only legally married to Bradley and had not held a wedding banquet.

In other words, he still had a chance.

For the first time, Lance felt possessive and the desire to conquer.

What he wanted would be gotten by any means necessary.

"Ivan, investigate the Lawson Group. Find an opportunity for us to collaborate with them.'

To get close to this woman, he had to start from her business.

As long as he had a few contracts with the Lawson Group, he would never be afraid of not seeing her again.

A cunning flash passed through Lace's eyes, then he closed his eyes and savored the warmth and touch of her palm as well as how her warmth had spread to his heart through his hand.

It made him yearn for her.

...

The torrential rain poured all night long.

Bradley woke up the next morning with his mind in a foggy state, unsure what had happened the night before.

Sitting up in bed, he knocked a fist against his heavy head as his raspy voice echoed through his room.

"Freya?"

Xavier stood by the bed and looked at Bradley with dark eyes as he wondered if he should tell Bradley what happened the night before.

At that moment, someone burst in from outside, stumbling as she threw herself into Bradley's arms.

He instinctively wanted to push her away but remembered she was pregnant, so he endured the discomfort and let her cling to him.

"Leonard, you're awake. You scared me yesterday."

When outsiders were around, she would call him Brady. Otherwise, she would revert back to the way she would refer to him in Solterra.