Chapter 71: Clement Makes His Move

Clement's next attempt was less subtle. Two days after his message, Freya received an invitation to a design-industry reception hosted by a property developer. Chloe's firm had submitted work for one of the developer's upcoming projects, so attending made professional sense.

Chloe warned her before they arrived. "Knox Group is one of the sponsors."

Freya sighed. "Of course it is."

"We can skip it."

"No. I'm not letting Clement decide which rooms I can enter."

The reception was held in a renovated gallery. Freya spent the first hour speaking with designers, suppliers, and potential clients. She was beginning to enjoy professional events now that she attended as someone with her own work rather than simply as Louis Stone's wife.

Clement appeared near the bar just as she finished discussing a residential project.

"Freya."

She turned reluctantly. "Clement."

He smiled as though their supermarket encounter had been friendly. "You look better."

"I looked fine before."

"I meant happier."

"Then thank you."

Clement lowered his voice. "I heard you're doing freelance design. You don't need to work this hard. If money is the problem—"

"Money isn't the problem."

"Louis can't give you the life you had."

Freya almost laughed. "You really need new material."

His smile faded slightly. "I'm trying to help you."

"Then stop trying."

She moved to leave, but Clement said, "My brother knows Louis is hiding something."

Freya stopped.

That was exactly the reaction Clement wanted. He stepped closer. "Marcus thinks Louis has outside backing. If he's involving you in anything risky, you should protect yourself."

Freya turned back slowly. "Why would Marcus care?"

"Because Louis doesn't know when to quit."

Clement had revealed more in ten seconds than he realized. Marcus was actively investigating Louis's finances.

Freya smiled. "Thanks for the warning."

Clement mistook her response for uncertainty. "If you ever need somewhere to go, call me."

"I won't."

She found Chloe immediately afterward and remained beside her for the rest of the event.

When Freya returned home, she repeated the conversation to Louis.

"Marcus suspects outside backing," she said. "Not Northstar specifically, but he's looking."

Louis's expression remained calm. "Expected."

"Clement also thinks I'm stupid enough to become his informant."

"Also expected."

Freya dropped onto the sofa. "Your business world has terrible dialogue. Everyone says the same threatening things."

Louis sat opposite her. "You handled it well."

"I know."

"Modest too."

She grinned.

Derek was informed immediately. Northstar tightened several layers of separation around Louis's investments and temporarily moved one negotiation away from a company Marcus was monitoring.

Clement believed he had planted doubt in Freya's mind. In reality, he had warned Louis that Knox Group was getting closer.

For the second time, Clement's attempt to interfere with their marriage had strengthened the very partnership he wanted to break.

Freya saved screenshots of Clement's messages before archiving the conversation. She had no desire to use them unless necessary, but Louis had taught her one useful habit: preserve evidence before emotions changed the situation. Clement still believed he was speaking to the same woman who once chased approval and luxury. That misunderstanding was becoming one of Freya's greatest advantages.

For now, they chose patience over confrontation. Every new clue was documented, copied, and checked against the growing timeline. The network had survived for years because its connections were difficult to see. Louis and Freya had no intention of warning anyone that those connections were finally becoming visible.