Freya's cheeks flushed as if an electric current had run through her, turning her face crimson.

What was he doing?

Did he just... kiss her foot, without a care for the dirt?

In a fluster, a knocking sound came from outside.

"CEO, here's the ointment you requested."

Bradley placed her foot on the chair, rose to open the door, and accepted the medicine from Harry.

Harry handed him the ointment, saying, "Jonathan and Lucas Fenton are already waiting in the conference room. Lance is still on his way back..."

Upon hearing this, Freya's demeanor shifted entirely.

Lance was returning.

How would she explain this whole ordeal?

Lance had given the pass to Poppy, yet she was the one who came to collect the medicine...

Freya felt a twinge of anxiety.

Originally, she had planned to leave after obtaining the medicine, but she didn't expect to encounter Lucas, who proved to be rather foolish.

Returning with the ointment, Bradley once again knelt down to assist Freya in applying it.

Freya pursed her lips, hesitating for a moment before speaking up.

"Darling, if one day you discovered I had lied to you, would you be angry?"

Concealing her identity as Poppy had its reasons.

If the timing wasn't right, she had to keep this mask tightly secured.

Otherwise, it could attract unnecessary trouble.

Bradley squinted, gazing deeply at her. "What would you lie to me about?"

"N-nothing... I mean... hypothetically."

She felt a pang of guilt.

"If you dare to lie to me, I'll lock you in the room and give you a good beating."

The narrowed intensity of his gaze carried a dangerous undertone.

Freya swallowed hard, feeling her ears burning.

Locked in the room and 'beaten'? Was there any other form of punishment?

Just as she was about to negotiate, Harry's voice came from outside the door again.

"CEO, the meeting is about to start."

In a deep voice, Bradley replied, "I'll be there shortly."

Since the Fenton Group dared to bully his wife, he wouldn't let this matter slide easily.

With Austin Group's strength, acquiring Fenton Pharmaceutical Group was no big feat.

Even if Austin Group couldn't manage it, the power behind him was sufficient to overthrow the entire Fenton Group.

…

Twenty minutes later...

Bradley led Freya by the hand, surrounded by bodyguards, as they entered the conference room.

Inside, Jonathan and Lucas had already arrived.

Upon seeing them, Jonathan personally stepped forward to greet them respectfully.

"Mr. Austin, Mrs. Austin."

However, Bradley didn't even spare him a glance as he took Freya to their seats.

Harry entered and distributed the acquisition proposal to everyone present.

"Bradley, it was a mistake on my son's part to inadvertently offend your wife. I've already given him a severe reprimand. Can we put this matter behind us?"

This was Jonathan's first time meeting Bradley in person.

He had seen him a few times in the news before, and his demeanor on screen was extremely imposing. In person, his aura was even more assertive and dominant.

Jonathan had also heard about how Bradley had used his powerful methods to deal with the entire Austin family.

Anyone who opposed Bradley seemed to meet an unpleasant fate.

Although Fenton Pharmaceutical Group was highly prestigious and influential in the capital city, it was no match for Austin Group.

A simple phone call from Bradley, and the acquisition was set in motion.

Initially, Jonathan had laughed at Bradley's youthful arrogance, but after seeing him in person, he couldn't help but feel that this man was truly capable of doing as he said.

"Put it behind us?"

Bradley sneered. "Your son chased after my wife everywhere, accused her of being a thief, and even had her assaulted. Jonathan, do you think this matter can be put behind us?"

His whole demeanor exuded authority, with a hint of menace in his eyes.

Jonathan wiped away a bead of sweat and said, "Mrs. Austin trespassed into the Fenton Pharmaceutical Group warehouse without authorization. If Lucas knew about her identity, this wouldn't have happened. Besides, you also know that our warehouse is a restricted area, and ordinary people cannot enter, let alone Mrs. Austin, who is not associated with Fenton..."

Bradley furrowed his brows in consternation.

Just as he was poised to interject, Freya gently stayed his hand, signaling her intention to speak.

He nodded.

Freya rose from her seat, her gaze fixed on Jonathan. "Mr. Jonathan, this is my pass. I was merely entering to procure medicine, not to pilfer."

Harry retrieved the pass and handed it to Jonathan.

Jonathan's brow furrowed upon inspection.

"Lance's pass?"

"Yes, I was tasked with retrieving medicine. However, Lucas hastily presumed, ordered my apprehension like a common thief, and even made threats... against my life!"

She emphasized the final four words.

The chill in Bradley's gaze intensified.

He clenched his fist tightly, his demeanor turning stern.

The woman he vowed to safeguard at any cost was under threat.

Utterly reckless!

Witnessing Bradley's darkening countenance, Jonathan felt a sense of foreboding.

He turned to Lucas. "You scoundrel, is this your doing?"

"Dad, she stole and harmed our people, so I issued a warning."

Lucas regretted deeply. Had he known she had ties to Bradley or was the chairwoman of the Barnes Group, he wouldn't have dared provoke her.

"Lucas, are you deaf? My wife clearly stated she didn't steal. She was merely retrieving."

Bradley's tone was forceful, his gaze chilling, sending shivers down spines.

"Yes, yes, merely retrieving, not stealing."

Lucas hastily concurred.

Bradley didn't bother with pleasantries, his tone sharp and decisive. "Whether it's stealing or retrieving, from now on, regardless of the circumstances, my wife's visits to the family pharmacy have no affiliation with Fenton Pharmaceutical Group."

Today's incident was just the beginning.

His desire to acquire Fenton Pharmaceutical Group stemmed purely from personal motives.

How could this woman, behind his back, grow so intimate with Lance?

He was well aware of the stringent security measures at Fenton Pharmaceutical Group, especially in the warehouse, a highly restricted area accessible only to Lance and the warehouse manager. No one else was permitted entry under any circumstances.

Yet Lance had entrusted something as significant as his access pass to Freya.

This left him deeply puzzled about Lance's intentions in allowing such actions.

His worry intensified and feared that today's events were just the beginning.

If he didn't take control of Fenton Pharmaceutical Group, Lance would continue to harass Freya

He wouldn't allow any man to covet his woman.

Let alone tolerate her being mistreated!

At that moment, the conference room door swung open from the outside.

Lance stood there, looking weathered. Clad in a deep gray suit, his brows were furrowed deeply.

His gaze swept the room, finally resting on Freya.

A flicker of incredulity crossed his eyes.

Why... was she here?

"Dad, the woman you mentioned stealing medicine on the phone, where is she?"

Jonathan frowned, his gaze also settling on Freya.

"Lance, your timing couldn't have been worse. You said you arranged for Mrs. Austin to come to the warehouse to retrieve medicine. Why didn't you inform Lucas? Now, the situation has escalated, enraging Bradley, who is now intent on acquiring Fenton Pharmaceutical Group. Who will take responsibility for these losses?

Lance narrowed his eyes.

Mrs. Austin?

Freya?

Why would she come to get medicine when he had entrusted the permit to Poppy?