Chapter 98
Freya's voice was choked with tears, and everyone in the dance studio could hear it clearly.
Many people looked at her with sympathy, and some even felt indignant on her behalf.
Yet Evelyn acted like nothing had happened. She turned to glance at Freya, with an obviously fake look of surprise on her face.
"What's that supposed to mean? I asked you to pick up my food delivery for me, and you're unhappy about it?"
Then, as if just realizing something, she said, "You didn't catch on and felt stupid, so now you want to give me trouble?"
"Isn't that a bit petty of you? You made a mistake yourself, and now you're blaming others?"
"Whatever. Either way, your brother did save Benjamin, so I can't be too harsh on you."
"Let's just forget about today. You're in a bad mood, so take a rest. We'll have your understudy go on instead."
The dance company couldn't grind to a halt just because one person had a problem.
Of course, if you were a principal dancer or had strong enough connections backstage, that was a different story.
Now, Evelyn was casually pulling Freya from the performance lineup and putting in her understudy.
Freya stood there frozen, her eyes full of resentment, the coffee in her hand feeling like a humiliation, burning her palm numb.
......
After practice ended, Evelyn checked the time, wondering whether to have dinner with Benjamin.
Should she call him, or just go upstairs to ask him directly?
Evelyn changed her clothes. She still hadn't made up her mind when she saw Freya waiting outside the lounge.
She raised an eyebrow. Her face showed little surprise, but her words were full of mock astonishment.
"Why would you suddenly come looking for me? Don't tell me you've realized your mistake?"
"I can't accept your apology."
"After all, I can't compare to a woman ruthless enough to inject herself with drugs."
Evelyn's words weren't particularly intense, but the sharpness in her tone left Freya unable to defend herself.
Freya's face went pale, her body trembling slightly, as if she might faint at any moment.
"Don't faint." Evelyn tilted her chin up, pointing at the camera on the ceiling. "Whatever we do, the surveillance catches everything clearly. Trying to frame me won't work."
Freya's face went even paler, her eyes brimming with tears, as if she'd been terribly wronged.
"What will it take for you to leave me alone?"
"Feeling wronged?" Seeing Freya get straight to the point, Evelyn didn't beat around the bush either.
Meeting Freya's resentful gaze, she let out a light laugh.
"Before you showed up, I didn't go looking for trouble with you, did I?"
"But you just had to buzz around me like a fly."
"That would've been fine, but I ignored you, and you still had to disgust me. What was I supposed to do?"
"I could only teach you a lesson."
She leaned against the doorframe, looking at Freya lazily. "I don't know why you came to the dance company, and I don't want to know."
"But if you're smart and don't provoke me, I won't make things difficult for you. You can still have their admiration. Isn't that nice?"
Everything Evelyn said showed she didn't take Freya seriously at all—it was all about telling Freya to stop her foolish provocations.
"You..." Freya's fists clenched tight, the words practically squeezed through her teeth. "Last time I was careless, but this time I didn't do anything, and you still targeted me like this."
Then Freya smiled. "When Benjamin finds out, what do you think he'll do?"
Evelyn watched as a smile appeared on Freya's pale face, though it carried a twisted quality.
Evelyn clicked her tongue lightly. "You think he did that because you made a mistake?"
"Have you considered that if I deliberately set you up instead, not only would he not be angry, he'd actually help me deal with you?"
"People should have self-awareness, but sadly, you don't."
After saying this, Evelyn ignored Freya and walked past her.
Freya stood there, biting her lip so hard she almost tasted blood, the hatred in her eyes impossible to hide.
If you hadn't seen it with your own eyes, it would be hard to imagine that Freya, with such a pure and lovely face, could have such a vicious expression.
After Evelyn entered the elevator, the calm expression on her face turned blank.
She didn't take Freya seriously, but having an annoying fly constantly buzzing in her ear was truly irritating.
It was all because Benjamin was too charming!
Misplaced anger surged up instantly. How could Evelyn still be in the mood to have dinner with him?
Underground parking garage.
As she stepped out of the elevator, she immediately spotted Eugene leaning against a pillar.
Evelyn's brow furrowed involuntarily.
"Ms. Thomas."
He seemed not to notice her reaction, casually tossing away his cigarette and walking toward her.
"Mr. Martinez."
You don't slap a smiling face.
Eugene approached to greet her, and no matter how many reservations she had, she had no reason to ignore him.
"You don't seem happy to see me," he smiled. "I thought after four years as college classmates, we had some friendship."
Back then, he was shy and quiet, invisible in their club.
She was different—passionate and radiant, a campus celebrity, the goddess in countless guys' hearts.
Two people who seemed completely different became friends because of an accident...
Recalling those years and looking at Eugene now with his edgy aura, Evelyn found it hard to reconcile his current appearance with how he was in college.
Eugene probably noticed the confusion in her eyes because he directly addressed her unspoken question.
"You think I've changed a lot?"
"More than changed—it feels like you're a different person." Her gaze fell on the scar on his brow bone.
"People change. But as former classmates, can I invite Ms. Thomas to dinner?"
She wanted to refuse, but he seemed to see through her thoughts and gave her a reason she couldn't refuse.
"Mr. White has been very busy lately, hasn't he? Even though you work in the same building, he hasn't come to see you once."
Evelyn narrowed her eyes, knowing Eugene had come prepared today.
She didn't act coy and got in his car.
Little did she know, Freya saw their departing figures together, clear as day.
CEO's office.
"Ms. Stewart," Chase's face wore a smile, his manner quite polite, "Mr. White is busy. It's not convenient for you to go in."
But his refusal was unmistakable.
Freya thought of how Chase used to follow her every word, and resentment filled her heart.
But she didn't show her emotions on her face. Instead, she looked anxious.
"I really do have something important for Benjamin. Please let me in quickly. If it's too late, it'll be too late."
Chase had been in the position of executive assistant for three years. He'd seen all kinds of people come up with all kinds of reasons just to see Benjamin.
He'd long since mastered the art of staying unmoved.
"Mr. White just instructed that no one should disturb him. You know his temper, Ms. Stewart. Why don't you call Mr. White instead?"
Freya's expression instantly stiffened.
Did he think she didn't know how to call?
Benjamin had blocked her—she had no way to contact him at all!
Anger rose in her heart, and when she spoke again, her tone carried a commanding edge. "This is about Ms. Thomas. If you don't step aside, you'd better watch out when Benjamin holds you accountable!"