The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Kieran knew exactly what his grandma meant with those words.

Previously, his engagement to Freya might have been purely due to her fitting social status, but now, pursuing marriage with her could mean gaining the entire Dawson clan's favor.

At that moment, Kieran couldn't help but recall what Freya had told him earlier that day. His pride as a man surged once again.

"Grandma, you don't need to worry about this anymore. We've broken off the engagement, and there's no way I'm going back to ask for her hand again," he said firmly before turning and heading upstairs. Audrey was well aware of her grandson's temperament. Her expression darkened.

If her dear grandson was too proud to act, then it was up to her, the grandmother, to prepare everything for him.

The next day, news quickly spread that Johanna was jailed and Leland was kicked out of the house.

As the sole heiress of the Dawson family, Freya naturally assumed her position at the helm of the Dawson Group.

Now, comfortably seated in the office of the Dawson Group, Freya was approached by Alison.

"Miss, this morning, the Sutton family sent someone over to extend their greetings and invite you to attend a dinner at the Majestic Manor Hotel tonight," Alison informed her.

"The Sutton family?"

Kieran was reaching out to her?

Freya was skeptical only for a moment before realizing it wasn't likely Kieran who wanted to see her, but rather Audrey.

Having lived a long life, Audrey was slyer than a fox. Freya had barely assumed her position as the Dawson heiress when Audrey eagerly extended an invitation, clearly with ulterior motives.

"Miss, given that the dinner is at the Majestic Manor Hotel and you're now the sole heiress of the Dawson family, it's only right for you to attend. Besides, there have been rumors lately about the strained relationship between the Sutton and Dawson families, causing many of our partners to hesitate in working with us, fearing they might offend the Sutton family. Your attendance at the Sutton family's dinner could silence many critics and improve the Dawson Group's situation in Echo City," Alison explained.

Freya was well aware of all this.

However, attending the Sutton Group's dinner meant she had to prepare meticulously.

She couldn't allow Audrey to take advantage of her, yet she wanted the world to know that the Sutton and Dawson families were

peace. at

But the thought of seeing Kieran that evening...made Freya's head throb with annoyance. "Prepare a formal evening gown for me. Make it as grand as possible," she instructed. "Yes, Miss."

Since the dinner was ostensibly in her honor, she intended to dress the part, letting every guest know that she, Freya, was now the one in charge of the Dawson family

IMS

By evening, the Majestic Manor Hotel was bustling with activity. The streets were aglow, lined with luxury cars.

Wealthy men in suits stepped out, their arms linked with elegantly dressed women.

Freya's arrival at the Majestic Manor Hotel drew immediate attention.

The biggest news from the day

before was that Freya had bold/et

reported her stepmother to the

authorities and evicted her brother.

Her high-profile appearance at a Sutton family event the next day was bound to stir up surprise.

"Weren't the Dawson and Sutton families at odds?"

"Why would the Sutton family invite Freya to their dinner?"

"Who knows? Mr. Sutton and Freya broke off their engagement, right? Won't it be awkward for them to meet now?"

Whispers filled the air as everyone was curious why Freya was invited to the Sutton family's dinner that night.

Inside the Majestic Manor Hotel, Alison knocked on the door of the second-floor lounge.