She Took The House The Car And My Heart

Chapter 237 When Are You Coming Back To Take Ov...

"Yeah." There was a stillness in Ellis's gaze, the kind that made it impossible to tell

if he was dead serious or just messing around. "I'm turning thirty next month. If someone asks what I do for a living on a date, I can't exactly say I'm unemployed."

The simplicity of the remark somehow struck a chord in Freya, sparking an unexpected worry.

Without thinking, she blurted, “That's true. You're not getting any younger."

Ellis let out a soft, exasperated laugh. Was she seriously calling him old?

"I don't have the youthful stamina you do," Ellis said evenly, unbothered.

Freya scrambled to clarify, "That's not what I meant."

"You're saying I'm not old?"

Freya opened her mouth, but no words came out.

Ellis chuckled under his breath.

Compliments were never Freya's strong suit, but she gave it a try anyway. "Thirty

is when life really begins. You're still young."

"And how does it feel to say something you don't actually believe?"

"Captain..."

Why did he always have to call her out like that?

Ellis moved his piece with finality. "Freya, you've lost."

Freya snapped back to the present.

One glance at the chaos on the chessboard, and she knew-her captain was a sly one. He'd pulled out every trick in the book: distracting her, throwing her off balance, all just to win a game of chess.

"You really need to work on balancing offense and defense," Ellis rose to his full height, those long legs of his impossible to ignore. "Have you all been slacking off for the past two years?"

Freya was at a loss for words. She had known this was a trap!

"Let's eat," Ellis said simply.

This time, Freya didn't protest.

She understood-mental resilience was everything, no matter where you were. With a strong mind, she could

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Chapter 237 When Are You Coming Back To Take Over The Family Business

push forward or hold the line, survive anything thrown her way.

When her heart was in pieces, that same resilience had carried her through.

She knew her captain meant well. But did he have to come down on her so hard the very first time they met again? She felt slightly overwhelmed.

Over lunch, Josiah and Ellis chatted like old friends.

As they talked, Josiah caught the odd look on Freya's face and asked, “Freya, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Did Ellis make things hard for you?"

Freya instinctively glanced at her captain and shook her head. "No."

"He's not your captain anymore. You don't have to be scared of him," Josiah said knowingly. "If he gives you trouble, just say the word and I'll help you knock him down a peg."

"Okay." Freya allowed herself a small smile.

Ellis stayed quiet, letting the two of them have their fun at his expense.

After lunch, Josiah kept them around for a bit longer.

If Ellis hadn't shown up, Freya would've made an excuse to leave early-she had

to get back early to pack up her things for her departure tomorrow.

But now that she'd seen Ellis, the urgency had faded.

They ended up spending the whole afternoon with Josiah, passing time over chess.noveldrama

At first, Ellis went up against Josiah, but when the older man got tired, he handed the board over and watched. as Freya took his plac

Before they realized it, it was already past five in the afternoon.

Freya glanced at the time, ready to head out, but wasn't sure how to bring it up.

Ellis noticed the movement and, still playing with Josiah, said, "Josiah, Freya and I have a few things to take care of. After this round, we'll have to head out. We'll come back to visit soon."

"Dragging poor Freya into your business, huh?" Josiah huffed. "That girl always ends up as the scapegoat."

Ellis didn't respond, just smiled quietly, eyes on the board.

Freya felt a small wave of relief.

It was always tough for her to turn down an elder's invitation.

And if they didn't leave soon, she worried Josiah might invite them to stay the night after dinner-and worse, that Ellis might bring up that awkward phone call again.

He had only mentioned it briefly before, never expanding on it. Freya was still uneasy.

Not long after, they wrapped up the game.

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Chapter 737 7hen kis You Come Back To Take Over the family Business

Ellis smoothly packed wway the chessboard and places himself, bidding kalah farewell with polished grace.

Freya offered her goodbyes as well.

Though Josish was reluctant, he knew better than to hold the younger ones back.

"Captain, how are you getting back?" Freya asked,

"I'll walk out and catch a cab❞

Josiah looked surprised. His gaze flicked over to the nearby SUV, dearly wondering how Ellis could lie with such

a straight face,

Still, he didn't call him out-just watched the little performance unfold. He was curious to see what Ellis had up

his sleeve.

"It's a pretty long walk, and you won't find a cab nearby," Freya said, holding up

the car keys. "Where are you headed? If it's not too far, I'll drive you."

Ellis had always looked out for his team members. Freya couldn't just let him wander off on foot.

His expression stayed calm, voice warm and light. "Would it be too much trouble?"

"Not at all," Freya said. "Let's go."

"Alright."

Ellis followed her with a secret smirk.

Josiah's lips twitched. What a crafty young man.

Freya led Ellis to her car, started the engine without hesitation, and drove out of the residential area.

She didn't suspect a thing-after all, when she arrived, there had only been three cars in the garage, and Ellis had walked in. It never crossed her mind that he might've shown up earlier.

Josiah didn't give anything away, either.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Ellis sent a message to Josiah, letting him know someone would come by tomorrow to pick up his car.

"Freya," he said, turning his head once the message was sent.

Freya kept her eyes on the road. "Hmm?"

“That job I mentioned earlier. Have you thought about it?" Ellis absentmindedly toyed with his phone, posture relaxed, voice casual, almost lazy, as he turned to look at her.

Freya paused. “You weren't joking?"

"No."

"You really want a job?"

"Yes."

"What kind?"

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Chapter 237 When Are You Coming Back To Take Over The Family Business

"Anything that puts me in the same office as you, or something connected to your work." His voice was quiet, eyes flicking back to his phone as a message popped

up.

It was from his father, Caldwell Lambert.

Caldwell asked, "Did you really retire from the army?"

Ellis quickly replied, "Yes."

Freya still couldn't wrap her head around it. She didn't get why he wanted a job.

"Why?"

"I've never worked outside the military." Ellis answered sincerely, every word smooth and unshaken. "It's always been training, missions, or teaching others."

Freya gave it some thought. That checked out.

Life in the military was nothing like life outside of it.

Even though Ellis had plenty of skills, adjusting to civilian life wasn't instant. Everyone needed a buffer at the

start.

"Come to my office the day after tomorrow. I'll get you a contract," said Freya.

Ellis's lips tugged upward in the faintest smile. He glanced over at her. "You're serious?"

"Yes."

"Alright then," Ellis agreed.

Just then, his phone lit up with another message from his father.

Caldwell asked "When are you coming back to take over the family business?

Your mom and I want to travel."