The Bride Who Said No: Escaping the Shadows of Yesterday

Freya's irritation got the better of her, and she pulled at her wound in a swift gesture. Preston couldn't help but reveal a slight smile at Freya's clumsy moment, a rare sight.

Even Neil, who had known Preston for many years, had never seen such an expression on his face. His gaze shifted back to Freya, thinking she wasn't half bad. It almost seemed Neil had caught Preston off guard, his lips curving into a smirk. "I got your back there, didn't I? Still upset?"

Freya snorted, "I got roughed up, not you. Why don't you try getting hit without being able to fight back?"

Freya could have stood up to those women, but they were too many and her injured arm put her at a disadvantage. If she had another shot, she doubted she'd end up as beaten up as she was then. "Neil, how bad is her injury?"

"It's pretty serious for a lady. Most are superficial, but the wounds on her hand and arm are more severe. If they had been a bit rougher, Ms. Dawson could have lost the use of her hand."

"Let me see." Preston extended his hand toward Freya, who instinctively wanted to pull away, but Preston brought her hand closer to him with a gentle tug.

Her hand was a mess of bruises, so much so that it was alarming at first glance. Perhaps it was the tension, but Freya's hand trembled slightly.

Preston observed. "The injury has reached the bones and tendons. It won't heal in less than three months."

"Are you a doctor now? I didn't ask for your opinion." With that, Freya pulled her hand back, all her fleeting good impressions of Preston vanishing. No matter how handsome, it did nothing for her. "Preston is right. When diagnosing injuries, I'm no match for him." Neil's words held a seriousness that made Freya skeptical.

Freya thought, 'The head of the internationally renowned Tyler Group is skilled in medicine?'

"Preston studied medicine back in the day. Didn't you know?"

"You're trying to fool me, aren't you? Preston barely spent a few years in school, let alone medical school." Freya had done her homework on Preston, whose early years were withoutBelongs to © n0velDrama.Org.

carormal education. He had

carved out a niche for the Tyler

Group through sheer brawn.

Seeing he couldn't fool Freya, Neil playfully added, "I'm surprised, Ms. Dawson. You seem quite interested in Preston to know he didn't attend school for long."

"I... I heard about it. That's all."

Feeling cornered, Freya instinctively reached for a glass of water. She wasn't thirsty but took several sips of nervousness.

out

Neil nodded. "Indeed, Preston never had formal schooling. But he's got a sharp mind. After years in the

trenches abroad, facing countles et

ve

injuries he's got a knack for diagnosing them. I can't even compare."

Freya knew about Preston's ruthless reputation but was unaware of this aspect of his past. Her eyes lingered on him a moment longer.

Maybe feeling her watchful eyes on him, Preston looked her way too. Almost instantly, Freya looked away.

"Mr. Tyler, the contract's been sent to your phone."

"Print it out. Let Ms. Dawson have a look and sign it."

"Right away." Hans quickly printed the contract and laid it before Freya to review and sign.