Chapter 16 It's All of You

• The door swung open once more, and Freya emerged, closing it firmly behind her and handing the documents to Bill with a stern expression.
• "Here are the documents you asked for."
• Seeing the documents with a blue cover, Bill's embarrassed expression earlier quickly turned serious as he eagerly took the files, flipping through them.
• His serious expression softened into satisfaction upon seeing the twenty percent profit-sharing ratio. He seemed about to pat Freya's shoulder in approval, but she evaded his touch.
• Unfazed, he praised her, "Freya, you really take after me. Well done on this! Keep it up next time."
• "Next time?" Freya retorted incredulously, her voice laced with sarcasm.
• "You expect there to be a next time? Let me make this clear: This is a one-off. I'm handing over the documents now, and I want you out of my life."
• Bill, realising she didn't see him as her father and sensed no respect in her tone, felt his anger resurface.
• Asserting his authority as her father, he said sternly, "Freya! Is that how you speak to your father?"
• "Father?" Freya laughed bitterly, her eyes full of scorn under the lamplight.
• "When you handed me over to Mr. Walsh, did you consider yourself my father? What right do you have now to claim that title and control me?"
• "How dare you!"
• Bill was speechless, glaring at her in frustration. "No matter what, I will always be your father! I raised you all these years. Without me, you wouldn't even survive!"
• Freya's eyes reddened with anger, hands clenched. "So what? As long as I want to disappear, you'll never find me."
• "What did you say ... " Bill faltered.
• He hadn't expected this defiance from Freya. Remembering her sudden departure abroad earlier, he had genuinely struggled to locate her. A hint of concern crept into his heart.
• "Don't push me," Freya said coldly, turning away to unlock the door.
• "Wait!" Bill reached out, grabbing Freya's arm. He wasn't willing to lose someone who could advocate for his interests.
• Freya jerked her arm away with disgust, her expression hardening. "What now?"
• Bill paused, gathering his thoughts. Softening his tone, he smiled with a semblance of warmth. "Your mom knows you're back and wants you to come home for a meal. She says it's been too long since she last saw you."
• Freya fell silent. If anything could draw her back home, it was Janet.
• She could avoid Bill indefinitely, but not Janet ...
• "You may be angry with me, but your mom has missed you every day since she found out you're back. At least come home for one meal," Bill continued while adopting a conciliatory tone, knowing Freya's feelings towards Janet.
• Freya hesitated.
• In theory, having a meal at home was fine. But sitting peacefully with Bill was another matter altogether.
• But Janet ...
• Seeing Freya's hesitation, Bill's eyes glinted with satisfaction. "Alright then. It's settled. Come home for dinner on Sunday. I'll leave now."
• Without waiting for Freya's response, Bill departed satisfied. As the elevator doors closed, Freya remained undecided about returning home.
• This incident left Freya unsettled, leading to a mistake at work the next day.
• Head down, she focused on a file marked with large circles, enduring silent ridicule from her colleague.
• "Such a basic error, something I thought only idiots would make. You've surprised me, Ms. Lambert ... You've given me a new perspective on you."
• Henry reclined in his large, plush chair, narrowing his eyes slightly as he smirked.
• Freya obediently bowed her head and confessed, "It was my fault. I'll be more careful next time."
• Her compliance surprised Henry somewhat. He raised an eyebrow. "Isn't 'I'll be more careful next time' your usual line, Ms. Lambert?"
• "No," Freya mumbled, lowering her head even further.
• "Good, because I've had enough of that phrase." Henry uncharacteristically refrained from teasing her further.
• Freya tidied up the files and exited Henry's office, keeping her head down the entire time.
• Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it in frustration. It's just dinner; why am I overthinking it? Now I made a mistake at work because of this.
• Leo passed by and, noticing Freya looking crestfallen, assumed she had been reprimanded by their boss again.
• Concerned as a colleague, he asked, "Ms. Lambert, did Mr. Jackman scold you again?"
• Freya initially shook her head, then nodded, and finally shook it vigorously.
• Thinking she had been severely scolded, Leo comforted her, "Mr. Jackman can be tough when it comes to work. Just try not to repeat the mistake next time."
• Freya nodded gloomily but said nothing, lost in melancholy. Seeing her unusually emotional state, Leo couldn't help but inquire, "Ms. Lambert ... is something troubling you?"
• Sighing heavily, Freya looked up and revealed a sad face. "Mr. Howard, do you think I'm an idiot?"
• Shocked, Leo asked, "Why would you say that?"
• Her troubled expression gave way to teary eyes, appearing utterly downtrodden.
• "It's just that a friend recently faced a problem at home and sought my advice. I've been pondering how to help resolve it efficiently. Then I messed up at work and got an earful from Mr. Jackman, who called me stupid, a complete idiot."
• Leo paused. Considering their boss's harsh words, he believed 'idiot' was something Henry could easily say, so he didn't doubt it.
• Seeing Freya with red-rimmed eyes, he felt a twinge of empathy. "You can share your friend's situation with me. I might help think through a solution," he offered.
• Freya seized the opportunity.
• She recounted Bill's situation word for word, looking at Leo with hopeful eyes.
• "Mr. Howard, what do you think I should do?"
• Leo pondered for a moment. "If I were in your shoes, I might hesitate like your friend, but if Mr. Jackman were that person, he'd act decisively without hesitation."
• Recalling advice she'd heard from Zoe about Henry's approach, Freya nodded in agreement. "I see. I'll call my friend and advise them accordingly.
• "Goodbye, Mr. Howard!"
• ...
• Watching her depart, Leo quietly said to himself, Goodbye.
• With a solution to her vexing problem in mind, Freya's steps lightened. She dropped the files on the desk and slipped into the restroom. After shutting the door behind her, she dialled a number she hadn't called in a while.
• After a few rings, the call was answered.
• Without waiting for the other person to speak, Freya got straight to the point. "I won't be coming home on Sunday. Let Mom know she doesn't need to prepare."
• Bill was furious. He had expected Freya to change her mind. "Are you really that heartless? You won't even come home to see your mom and share a meal?!"
• "It's not me who's heartless. It's all of you."
• Freya's tone was icy.