She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 97

Chapter 97 Glaring Favoritism

Freya's words faltered, trapped in her throat as Lionel unexpectedly threw her ninto the conversation.

The room's mood soured instantly, as evident from the uneasy grimaces painting a few people's faces.

Edgar deliberated over his choice of words before speaking up, maintaining an objective tone. "Dad, if | may

speak frankly, the favoritism you exhibit is rather glaring. Blaine and Carrie are your biological grandchildren.

Yet, you've never shielded them with the senthusiasm, have you?"

"Humph." Lionel expelled a dismissive scoff, his face twisting with annoyance.

"Why should I shield them?" he declared brashly, tossing aside any semblance of respect for the room's decorum

as the family's patriarch.

"They are your own flesh and blood," Undeterred, Edgar pressed on, his voice firm with resolve. "Can you truly

say it's common for a grandfather to show more affection towards his granddaughter-in-law than to his own

grandchildren?"

These words cast a ripple of complex emotions across the room, sparking glints of agreement and skepticism in

their eyes.

Edgar's words dripped with a deliberate intent to embarrass Freya, making it clear she would always be seen as

an outsider.

"Am | supposed to care more for you ungrateful brats over Freya?" Lionel's temper flared, his demeanor chilly

and uninviting, "From childhood days to now, when have Blaine and Carrie shown any concern forthat wasn't

tied to their own needs? I'd say even Kristian and Liam don't hold a candle to Freya." Lionel's bluntness cut

through the air, his words dismissing any concern for the feelings of others.

Just like children, the elderly crave companionship and care. Though Kristian and Liam would show fleeting

concern during their visits home, their presence was always brief. As for Carrie and Blaine, they might as well

have been shadows, appearing only when they needed something from him.

"Carrie is still too young to know how to express her caring for you," Edgar attempted to justify, struggling to

defend her. "As for Blaine..."

He trailed off, defeated. There was no justifying Blaine's behavior.

"Enough with the excuses. I'm clueless," Lionel declared, his voice tinged with bitterness. "Which of you has ever

spent quality twiththe way Freya does? Who among you has joinedfor a gof chess, practiced

calligraphy, or simply stood by my side in quiet companionship? None of you! Are you about to claim your

schedule's too packed again? Despite managing the extensive Shaw Group and his packed schedule, Kristian

makes it a point to spend twitheach month. Are you claiming to have less tthan he does?"

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Chapter 97 Glaring Favoritism

Lionel's voice rose with each word, his anger palpable.

Not a soul among Edgar, Robin, or their family members dared to utter a word.

They recognized their neglect toward Lionel, yet they considered his favorite pastimes like calligraphy and chess

dreadfully dull.

"Grandpa, doesn't it bother you that you might be hurting our feelings with your words?" Carrie's resentment

towards Freya deepened. "And who's to say Freya didn't just pick up your hobbies to curry favor with you after

her marriage to Kristian?"

"You could learn them too," retorted Freya, breaking her silence. "If you manage to bestin any of these

activities, I'll persuade Lionel to hand over the Shaw Group to you."

"That's a fair challenge," Lionel quickly agreed. He had yet to defeat Freya in a gof chess.

At times, he pondered over how adeptly she had refined her strategy. Although he never faced outright defeat,

he realized upon reflection that Freya had tactfully allowed him victories.

Carrie's fury escalated. "Did you even consult Kristian before making such a statement?"

"I see no issue with it," Kristian responded with a serene expression.

Lionel gave a derisive snort, his demeanor suggesting that Kristian lacked the courage to raise any objections.

Kristian was left speechless.

"Challengingin an area where you're skilled isn't a testament to your abilities." Carrie bristled at the thought,

convinced she ought to have been the one everyone adored. "If you're so brave, try competing in something |

excel at." "What does your expertise have to do with Lionel?" Freya countered sharply. Although Lionel had not

been fond of her at first, he had never spoken harshly. As her understanding of him deepened, she discovered

his underlying solitude. Lionel treated all his children with equal concern, though he later deemed sas

undeserving of his attention. Carrie's animosity grew. "What's the use in just currying favor with Grandpa?"

"At least that's better than showing outright disrespect to your elders," Freya retorted coldly, her tone unaffected

by the taunts thrown her way.

Had there been a real competition, she would not have hesitated to face this young girl.

However, any such contest would only serve to escalate the existing tensions, contributing further to the

unfolding .

Reacting to the previous exchange, Carrie's anger flared, but Lionel smoothly intervened by calling for the dinner

to be served.

Throughout the meal, a tense calm prevailed. Everyone dined with decorum, and Freya, true to form, indulged in

her favorites while thoughtfully serving Lionel the dishes he preferred.

This simple gesture, meant as a mark of respect and affection, was misinterpreted by sas an attempt to

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ingratiate herself with Lionel.

Freya remained indifferent to the whispers and chose not to justify her actions.

Once dinner concluded, the servants efficiently cleared the dining area, and everyone joined Lionel for a leisurely

stroll in the back garden.

During their walk, a long-buried issue finally surfaced. "I've caught wind of rumors suggesting that Kristian plans

to divorce Freya. Could there be any truth to it?"

"Smart minds don't waste ton rumors," Lionel replied, his tone deliberately vague.

Freya stole a quick glance at Lionel. Wasn't her divorce from Kristian finalized on the day after tomorrow?

"Yet, a friend at the courthouse mentioned seeing Kristian and Freya's divorce papers just recently," seizing the

right moment, Robin chimed in. "Judging by the timeline, they might receive their divorce decree within a couple

of days."

Kristian's brow furrowed, his lips parting to denounce the statement as untrue.

However, Freya preempted him, her voice calm and assured. "Indeed, the day after tomorrow."

Lionel found himself at a loss for words.

Kristian stared at her, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"The world beyond the confines of the Shaw family is quite different," Robin scoffed dismissively. "Merely uttering

sweet nothings and charming the elderly doesn't secure a prosperous life."

"Why lecture me? Perhaps it's your children who need the advice," Freya retorted sharply, not one to be easily

subdued. "Even the largest fortune can dwindle through carelessness," she continued pointedly.

Robin and Edgar's financial stability primarily hinged on dividends from the Shaw Group, while Blaine was

notoriously reckless with his spending.

This financial disparity was starkly evident between Isaac's family and his two brothers' families.

At Freya's words, Robin bristled, ready to snap back, but Lionel stepped in, his tone brokering peace. "Robin,

Edgar, you guys should return hnow. | need to discuss something important with Freya and Kristian."

With clear reluctance, they finally took their leave with their wives and children.

Lionel then led Kristian and Freya to a private meeting with Isaac and Melinda, while Liam had long since

vanished, likely indulging in his own pursuits.