Freya's POV
My heart seized as I instinctively glanced toward Mack Ben.
"Grandfather, Jiang..." Mack started to interrupt, but Old Master Ben cut him off smoothly. "I'm simply having a pleasant conversation with Miss Colby. Why the concern? Surely I wouldn't cause harm to your savior."
Despite Old Master Ben's gentle demeanor toward me, his persistent use of "Miss Colby" sent a crystal-clear message.
This test had ended in failure.
The old master's subtext rang loud and clear. Gratitude remained gratitude, but reality stood as an entirely separate matter.
The harsh reality was my connection to the Colby Family, with our stained reputation that could never measure up to the Ben legacy.
Though he never voiced it directly, his meaning pierced through me completely.
"Indeed, my father committed certain business transgressions that resulted in his imprisonment. However, due to recent health complications, he successfully obtained medical parole."
