The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday
Chapter 19

After all, if Freya were to marry into the Sutton family, it would spell good tidings for her and her son in the long run.

Seeing Johanna all worked up, Freya arched an eyebrow and chuckled, "Indeed."

"Really? Oh, that's marvelous!" Bubbling with excitement, Johanna said, "I just knew it! Mr. Sutton must still be smitten with you. Why else would he ask you out?"

"Johanna, you've got it all wrong," Freya clarified. "Mr. Sutton asked me out to discuss calling off the engagement."

"What..."

Under Johanna's anxious gaze, Freya enunciated every word, "The engagement... has been called off."

"What! Called off?" The news nearly made Johanna faint.

Leland quickly steadied Johanna and confronted Freya angrily, "Freya, that's irresponsible! How could you break off your engagement without telling us? Do we even matter to you?"

"My marriage is my own business. I don't need to run it by you. From today onwards, I'll take over the company's affairs. Johanna, with the Sutton Group pulling out their investment, you won't have to worry about it anymore." Freya's tone was laced with a hint of amusement, leaving Johanna too livid to speak. What on earth had gotten into Freya?

Upon her first visit to the company, Freya instantly became the center of attention at the Dawson Group.

Freya rarely visited the office, usually leaving it under Johanna's care, who delegated the responsibilities to Galen.

Galen hurried over to Freya and said, "Ms. Dawson, what brings you here? If you need anything, just a phone call would do."

Freya asked, "Galen, right?"

Galen answered politely, "Yes, Ms. Dawson. What do you need?"

Freya eyed Galen, who was handsome and well-maintained for someone nearing forty, though his smile betrayed a hint of slickness.

In her past life, she had left the Dawson Group to Johanna and Leland, only to see the Dawson Group bankrupt within three years. She remembered Johanna and Galen had fled together with the money, clearly indicating their close partnership. Freya requested, "Bring me the recent financial statements and reports."

Galen hesitated. "Well... Ms. Dawson, you might not understand them. If there's anything specific you want to know, ask me."

Galen's hesitation made Freya suspect there was something wrong with the accounts. Without pressing further, she casually inquired, "How are the company's projects doing lately?"

"Oh, that's a bit of a sore spot," Galen sighed. "Ever since the Sutton Group withdrew their investment, the Dawson Group has faced many pushbacks. Times have been tough!"

Freya eyed Galen coldly. "The Sutton Group's withdrawal was just yesterday, wasn't it?"

"Ms. Dawson, it's normal for someone your age not to grasp these things. Why don't you head to the lounge and take a break?"

Galen's dismissive attitude was evident. Though the withdrawal by the Sutton Group was significant, it wasn't enough to bankrupt the Dawson Group overnight.

Galen's exaggeration seemed aimed at making Johanna a mediator, hoping to mend fences between her and Kieran.

Just then, Secretary Alison rushed in, clutching a stack of documents. Upon seeing her, Galen quickly intervened, "Don't you see Ms. Dawson is here? Hand over those documents and leave." Freya furrowed her brows at the sight of the documents, "Wait a minute."