Chapter 9: Mother Knows Best

Location: Nevaris' Penthouse | Titan Vale Tower

Freya had faced assassins, corporate espionage, and financial warfare.

But nothing—nothing—was as dangerous as this.

She stood outside Nevaris' massive penthouse, arms crossed, listening to his mother yelling at him over the phone. Again.

It had been an hour.

Freya exhaled through her nose, debating if she should just walk away and pretend this wasn't happening.

Inside, Nevaris was sprawled across his couch, lazily tapping on his tablet with one hand while the phone sat on speaker beside him. His mother's voice filled the room, sharp as a blade.

"Nevaris Vale, you are twenty-six years old! How are you still single?"

Nevaris barely looked up. "Good genes."

"Don't get smart with me!"

Freya pinched the bridge of her nose.

Nevaris turned his head, mouthing: Help me.

She arched an eyebrow. No.

His mother wasn't done.

"Do you know how embarrassing this is? Every time I go to a gala, all my friends are showing off pictures of their children's engagements. And what do I have? A son who plays financial chess and destroys billionaires for sport?"

Nevaris smirked. "Technically, I ruin them at night too."

"Nevaris!"

Freya had to admire the woman's patience. She wasn't sure she would've lasted twenty-six years raising him.

Nevaris sighed dramatically. "Mom, I'm busy."

"Oh, please. I checked the news. You already won your little war with Astralis."

Freya raised an eyebrow. She keeps up with his corporate battles?

"That was yesterday," Nevaris argued. "Today, I'm recovering."

"Recovering from what?"

"Victory," he said solemnly.

Freya exhaled slowly.

"Nevaris," his mother said, voice dangerously calm, "when are you going to give me grandchildren?"

Freya choked.

Nevaris sat up so fast his tablet almost slipped from his grip. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me."

Nevaris stared at the phone like it had personally betrayed him.

Freya? She took a strategic step back. Not getting involved.

Nevaris ran a hand through his hair. "Mom. I don't even have a wife."

"Exactly! When are you getting one?"

Nevaris made a face. "I don't have time for romance."

"You have time for everything else. Titan Vale runs itself half the time, thanks to that lovely assistant of yours—"

Freya froze. Oh no.

"Speaking of which, let me arrange something for you!"

Nevaris sat bolt upright. "Absolutely not."

"Nevaris Vale, do you think I don't know what's best for you?"

"Statistically," he countered, "arranged marriages have a 60% divorce rate."

"Statistically, you're still single."

Freya bit her lip. She barely held in her laughter.

Nevaris glared at her. Traitor.

"Listen, Nevaris," his mother sighed. "I just want you to be happy."

"I am happy."

"Then why are you alone?"

Freya felt a secondhand headache forming.

"Mom," Nevaris groaned, "I don't need a relationship to be happy. I have money. I have power. I have Freya."

Dead silence.

Freya blinked. Excuse me?

"...Freya?"

Nevaris' eyes widened a fraction. "Wait—no, I meant—"

"You never told me about Freya!"

Nevaris groaned. "She's my assistant."

"Oh? Is she there right now?"

Nevaris glanced at Freya.

Freya glared. Don't you dare.

He sighed. "Yes."

"Put her on the phone!"

Freya's look promised murder.

Nevaris winced but handed the phone over like a man surrendering a weapon.

Freya took it, cautiously. "Mrs. Vale."

"Oh, Freya! It's so lovely to finally speak to you. Tell me, dear, how long have you and Nevaris been together?"

Freya's brain short-circuited.

"We're not together," she said flatly.

"Oh, sweetheart, men never know their own feelings."

Freya shot Nevaris a look. "Neither do women, apparently."

Nevaris muffled a laugh.

"Tell me, dear, is my son treating you well?"

Freya considered. He does pay me an obscene salary. And buy me coffee. And—

She cleared her throat. "Yes. He's… tolerable."

"Tolerable? My dear, if you ever get tired of him, I'll adopt you."

Freya actually smirked. "I might take you up on that."

Nevaris groaned. "I hate this alliance."

"Nevaris, dear, at least think about it," his mother pleaded. "You need someone by your side. Business is a lonely world."

He ran a hand down his face. "Fine, fine. I'll think about it."

"Good. And Freya, dear?"

"Yes?"

"Keep an eye on him for me."

Freya's smirk widened. "Always."

"Good girl. Nevaris, call me later. Love you!"

Nevaris sighed. "Love you too, Mom."

The call ended.

Silence.

Freya handed the phone back.

Nevaris slumped against the couch, covering his face with a pillow. "I hate my life."

Freya smirked. "I think your mom is my favorite person now."

"She's a menace."

Freya sat across from him, watching him sulk.

"You know," she said casually, "she does have a point."

Nevaris groaned. "Not you too."

Freya smirked.

The Demon of Contracts, utterly defeated by his own mother.

She was never letting him live this down.