Chapter 192
Chapter 192 The Captive in His Home
Finished
Freya shot an exhausted Carter a look of pure disgust. “You actually hit me? Take a good look at yourself–what do you have left?”
Carter glared back, bitterness etched into his face. Even in defeat, he had to know the truth. “Stop dodging the question! How much did you take from the company? And don’t bother pretending–you had a hand in running it into the ground, didn’t you?”
At first, Freya wasn’t going to admit a thing. But seeing Carter, battered and pathetic, she let out a mocking sneer. “If you already know, why ask?”
“That worthless business of yours was a sinking ship. When that naive investor poured money in, of course I put it where it would actually do some good. Look at you now–without that cash infusion, the whole thing folded, didn’t it? You should be thanking me for having the foresight to move it. Because of me, you still have a roof over your head. You get that, right? Even this rug you’re sprawled on is bought with my money. The air you’re breathing is paid for by me. Without me, you’d be in a homeless shelter right now, Carter. You ought to learn some gratitude.”
“So you admit it.” Carter hadn’t truly expected her to confess.
His anger evaporated instantly, leaving behind a crushing, hollow misery. He seemed to shrink, his gaze turning vacant, all the fight draining out of him.
He was a fool. The woman who’d shared his life for over twenty years was a viper, and he’d been blind to it. He’d handed her everything. This ruin was his own making.
In that moment, he was too broken to even summon the energy for outrage.
Just then, a servant hurried over with the first–aid kit. Freya took a steadying breath, sat down primly, and let the woman tend to her wounds.
No one paid Carter the slightest attention.
Though his injuries were severe and grotesque, the same staff who once jumped at his command now acted as if he were invisible. Instead, they clustered around Freya, fussing over her.
Humiliation and rage boiled over. “You traitors!” Carter shouted hoarsely. “I’m the one who hired every single one of you! And now you’re all licking her boots? After everything I di r you?”
After all that had happened, Carter felt his entire life had been a cruel joke.
The servants did feel a pang of guilt, but after a furtive glance in his direction, they still didn’t
1/3
11.02 776H
dare approach. Freya held the purse strings now. She signed their paychecks. Crossing her wasn’t an option.
Seeing that no one would help him. Freya’s lips curled into a smug smile. “See, Carter?
“Without money, you’re nobody. They wouldn’t even hand you a bandage.
“Wake up and face reality.”
Her words landed like a physical blow, forcing the bleak truth upon him–he truly had nothing left.
“Carter, no one in this house is on your side anymore,” Freya said coldly. “If you want to keep living here quietly, you’d better understand the new arrangement. You’re not ‘Mr. Macdonald‘ anymore. Everything you cat, everything you use, comes from me now. If you don’t appreciate that, I won’t hesitate. You can get out. Right now.”
Carter’s face went ashen. He’d never imagined Freya could be this cruel.
After taking everything, she now wanted to discard him.
But a cold fear seeped in. He had nowhere to go, no resources left. The thought of being thrown out was terrifying.
put
Feeling utterly wretched, hot tears of self–pity welled in his eyes. “Freya, I’m your husband! And the money you have now–you stole it from my company! How can you even think of throwing me out? Don’t you have any conscience? Remember how I treated you before? I you on a pedestal! I cherished you! And now that I have nothing, you’re throwing me away like garbage? Fine! If you dare put me out today, I’ll go straight to the press tomorrow! I’ll let everyone see what kind of person you really are!”
Freya hadn’t anticipated this move from Carter.
Even though he was useless to her now, she didn’t want to be labeled a heartless social climber. What would that do to her prospects? How would she ever find another suitable partner?
Gritting her teeth, she shot back, “Go ahead! See if I care! But once my reputation is ruined, how exactly am I supposed to go out and make the money that keeps a roof over your head, Carter? I’m only talking about throwing you out because you assaulted me today. If, from now on, you behave yourself and stay quiet, I might–for the sake of our past–allow you to stay. I won’t starve you. You’ll have food on the table. But if you ever lay a hand on me again, I” ave security drag you out for good. Don’t test me.”
Listening to her threats, Carter clenched his jaw, hatred simmering, but he didn’t dare utter another word. The fear of being cast out was too real.
Quietly, miserably, Carter began to calculate. If he fought now, the streets were his only
2/3
22:47 Mon, Feb 9
Chapter 192 The Captive to this foron
destination. It seemed he had no choice but to swallow his pride and endure dus humiliation,
at least for now.
148
3/3