Chapter 12: Still Fantasizing
Since Claire met Frederick, he had never treated her with such tenderness and affection. What she had longed for in half her life, something she never thought she would ever receive and even believed she would never have in this lifetime, suddenly became a reality in this moment. In an instant, she had a sense that even dying at that moment would be worth it.
She stared blankly, desperately wanting to tell him that it didn’t hurt, that as long as he was there, she felt no pain. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t produce a single sound, not even a whisper. It was an overwhelming emotion reaching its peak, leaving her speechless and overcome with excitement.
“Claire, do you think this display of affection is something you have yearned for all along? Hmm?”
However, just as her emotions reached their peak, Frederick suddenly scoffed and leaned in close to her ear, saying, “But you’ll never get it in this lifetime.”
The words that followed instantly plunged her from heaven into the depths of hell. Within that abyss were deadly venomous stings piercing through her flesh and bones. The pain was so intense that she couldn’t even scream.
With reddened eyes, she stared at him, finally realizing that all his previous tenderness was merely a means to inflict deep pain upon her. It made sense, after all. She had killed Anna, and he despised her so much. How could he make things easy for her? How foolish she was, still fantasizing about him loving her at this point.
“Frederick, what are you doing? Huh!”
Diana, who was not far away, witnessed Frederick’s actions. Her mind was filled with hatred, and she charged towards them as if going crazy.
Frederick glanced at Diana and stood up. “Seems like you’ve forgotten how long Dad locked you up four years ago. Do you want to be locked up again?”
“Fine, great. Frederick, you’re really something. Let me tell you, I won’t let you off easily.”
Diana paused for a moment, seemingly realizing something and afraid. After uttering a few harsh words, she turned and left.
Claire was somewhat puzzled, but she understood that whatever happened to Diana four years ago was not something she could inquire about at this moment.
After Diana left, Frederick watched her departing figure and, with his back facing Claire, angrily shouted, “Go back to your basement!”
Claire didn’t say a word. She stood up, picked up the things on the ground, and went back to the basement.
After she left, Frederick instructed Richard, “Richard, have someone follow Diana. Also, from now on, whenever she comes here, no matter when, report it immediately.”
“Yes, General Hawthorne,” Richard replied respectfully, slightly furrowing his brow. He then hesitated and asked, “But you just did that in front of Ms. Hawthorne. What if she causes trouble? You know how close she was to Ms. Beaumont.”
“It doesn’t matter, let her be,” Frederick said, his eyes narrowing slightly. It would be even better if Diana caused a scene that reached Arthur.
During the conversation, Frederick’s mind was still filled with Claire’s terrified, scared, and submissive appearance moments ago.
After a long time, he asked, “Richard, do you think a person can completely change her character in just a few years?”
“It’s possible, but there must have been some experiences that led to it,” Richard replied after carefully considering for a moment, glancing towards the direction Claire had left.
Frederick paused for a moment. “Go to the prison and investigate everything about Claire in these past four years.”