Chapter 18: What a Pity

Claire felt a tightness in her heart. Taking a shallow breath, she moved slightly and instantly felt dizzy and lightheaded. She reached up to massage her temples, and the words she had just heard from Frederick caused her heart to skip a beat. Although she had never expected him to save her or have any soft feelings for her, it still hurt deeply to hear those words. After all, she had loved him so passionately all her life, yet couldn’t even receive a trace of warmth from him.

Claire lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, involuntarily thinking of her past self, who loved Frederick with pride.

“Frederick, why can’t you just look at me? I think I’m not inferior to any other woman!”

“Frederick, I won’t give up. I refuse to believe you won’t fall in love with me. In the end, you’ll belong to me.”

“Frederick, look at the gift I prepared for you. I think you will like it. How is it? I searched all over Kingstown to find it. I treat you well, right? Have you fallen in love with me?”

Claire was lost in her memories when the door suddenly slammed open.

Chapter 18: What a Pity

“Claire, what happened? Why did you faint for no reason?”

Caroline walked in, feigning surprise, her mouth agape, pretending to be concerned. Just a second ago, she was about to kick the door down, but now she was putting on this insincere act.

Claire sneered, enduring her dizziness as she turned her head away, too lazy to even glance at Caroline, let alone pay attention to her.

“Claire, I’ve heard everything. It’s all because of those servants. They’ve been mistreating you, and I’ve already scolded them.”

Caroline continued her performance, vigorously shaking Claire’s body when she saw Claire ignore her.

“What’s wrong with you? Are you about to collapse? Please talk to me for a moment, okay?”

Caroline used every ounce of her acting skills, fully aware of Claire’s discomfort and dizziness. If Claire weren’t feeling disoriented, Caroline wouldn’t shake her like that. She wanted to see how long Claire could endure this torture. She felt that Claire would request to move out tomorrow.

Chapter 18: What a Pity

“Caroline, if there’s nothing else, you can go back. I’m fine.”

Claire was unable to withstand the shaking and could only respond weakly. Caroline abruptly stopped her actions and turned pale. She didn’t expect Claire to be still able to endure at this point. It seemed that she refused to give up until she faced a grim reality.

Chapter 18: What a Pity

“That’s great, Claire, as long as you’re okay. I happen to be going out, so you can come with me. Frederick said to take you along when I go out.”

“I’ll take you out so that these servants in the manor won’t bother you anymore. I’m afraid if I’m not here with you, these malicious servants will trouble you again,” Caroline said selfishly without giving Claire a chance to speak, then she left.

“I…”

Claire, who had just been vigorously shaken by Caroline, tried to speak up, but she felt extremely dizzy before she could say a word. After finally feeling a bit better, she looked up only to find Caroline’s figure had long disappeared at the door.

Five minutes later, Bailey forcibly took Claire out with the help of the other servants.

Chapter 18: What a Pity

Outside, it was freezing cold, and snowflakes were falling from the sky. Claire was already feeling unwell, and she wasn’t even allowed to wear warm clothing. She stood there in thin clothes, enduring the icy weather.

Meanwhile, Caroline was enjoying the warmth in the bedroom, holding a glass of wine and gently shaking the red wine inside as she watched Claire trembling in the cold through the floor-to-ceiling window.

“Claire, I want to see how you’ll continue pretending this time. It’s about time for you to get lost, unless you don’t want to live anymore.”

Caroline slowly sipped the red wine, then put down the glass before calling for a servant.

“Tell Claire to wait a moment. I need to do my makeup.”

Caroline pretended not to know anything and ordered. Women took their time when doing makeup, even if it took two or three hours to be meticulous. Caroline held an eyebrow pencil and pretended to apply makeup while watching a drama on her phone.

Time passed bit by bit, and after two hours, Claire finally couldn’t hold on any longer. With a loud thud, she collapsed stiffly on the icy ground. Her face turned pale, her body almost freezing, and her breathing was weak.

“Ms. Beaumont, Ms. Prescott has fainted.”

Bailey remembered what Richard said and came up to report to Caroline.

“What are you standing there for when someone has fainted? It’s so cold outside. Do you want her to die? Bring her back! Also, instruct everyone not to disturb her for these two days. Since she has been working for so long without proper rest, let her have a good rest.”

Caroline tossed aside the lipstick in her hand and gave Bailey a displeased look.

“Yes, I understand, Ms. Beaumont.”

Since she had given such instructions, he naturally knew what to do. After bringing the unconscious Claire back to the room, he locked the door while she was still lying on the bed. Bailey removed the key, but as he remembered her barely breathing state just now, he hesitated for a moment.

Chapter 18: What a Pity

“Bailey, if we really follow Ms. Beaumont’s instructions, I’m afraid Ms. Prescott will die in the room. We don’t know when General Hawthorne will come back.”

The servant who was following along reminded Bailey with some sympathy.

“What can we do? Have you forgotten how General Hawthorne skinned Freya before just because she saved the feverish Ms. Prescott? Ms. Beaumont is someone deeply cherished by General Hawthorne, while Ms. Prescott seems to be his sworn enemy. Although we don’t know the details, it’s best not to meddle in this matter, or our lives won’t be guaranteed.”

Bailey looked back at the locked room, sighed, and then left.

The servant shook her head and sighed, “She seemed like a decent person. How did she offend General Hawthorne?”

“Who knows? They say she used to be an arrogant princess from a wealthy family, but I don’t see any of that haughtiness. She doesn’t seem to put on airs at all,” another servant chimed in.

“What a pity.” After saying that, they shook their heads and walked away.

Chapter 19: Have to Give Up?