Chapter 205: Do You Love Her?

In a daze, Claire found herself under the illusion that Frederick truly loved her deeply. Throughout the ride to the hospital, he held her tightly in his arms, and she didn’t utter a single cry of pain. It wasn’t until they arrived at the hospital and the doctor began examining her that she snapped back to reality.

“Where does it hurt? Here? Or here?” the doctor asked, pressing on her abdomen and inquiring about various areas.

“Doctor, I think I’m in so much pain that I can’t pinpoint where it hurts. It just feels like my entire stomach is aching,” Claire replied, knowing full well that she wasn’t really in pain—she was just pretending.

“Stop pressing; let’s get some tests done!” Frederick commanded upon hearing Claire’s words.

“Yes, sir,” the doctor replied, glancing at Frederick’s military uniform before promptly taking Claire for further examination.

An hour later, after all the tests were completed, the doctor delivered the final diagnosis: it was just a normal physiological occurrence related to her menstrual cycle. He suggested that her recent fatigue or some emotional stress might have affected her estrogen levels.

Chapter 205: Do You Love Her?

Coincidentally, Claire was indeed on her cycle, providing a perfect excuse for her fabricated illness. With the results showing nothing serious, there was no need for hospitalization. After receiving a pain relief injection, Frederick took Claire home.

Throughout the journey back, he continued to carry her in his arms. Even when they reached their room upstairs, he held her until they reached the bedside before gently setting her down. But his attentiveness didn’t stop there; he fetched water and prepared pain medication with meticulous care, attending to her every need.

Watching Frederick fuss over her like this almost made Claire believe she was genuinely unwell and that her stomach really did hurt.

“How are you feeling now? Any better?” Frederick asked after finishing up his tasks around midnight. He sat on the edge of the bed and tucked her in snugly.

“Much better,” Claire replied with a smile.

“You’re so foolish! In such pain and yet you didn’t call for help or let anyone know,” he said, recalling how pale she had looked earlier, frustration evident in his voice.

Claire remained silent, not knowing how frightening it had truly been. She had pinched herself hard to maintain the act.

Chapter 205: Do You Love Her?

Yet hearing Frederick’s words made her feel a lump in her throat; tears threatened to spill from her eyes. The only person she had ever received such concern from was her grandmother. She sat there frozen, overwhelmed by emotions and unable to respond further. In that moment, Claire found herself wishing time could stand still.

It wasn’t until her phone buzzed and the screen lit up with messages from her work group that she snapped back to reality, reminded of the responsibilities awaiting her the next day.

“I’m really fine… I’m just worried about going back to work tomorrow. Plus, I caught a chill after my shower today… cough, cough…” she said, trying to sound weak and vulnerable as originally planned.

But now, it seemed unnecessary.

“So, you’re that eager to get into Hiokech Group?” Frederick asked, not directly answering her but instead posing a question of his own.

“Yes! I would do anything to get into Hiokech Group,” Claire replied honestly.

In that instant, Frederick thought of Antony. Was it possible that Claire would go so far as to sleep with him?

Chapter 205: Do You Love Her?

“Very well, Claire! You can start work tomorrow!” Frederick said decisively, nodding firmly before turning to leave.

Claire stood there, momentarily stunned by his unexpected agreement. She hadn’t anticipated such an easy acquiescence from him; it was completely out of character for Frederick. What could his true intentions be? A man who despised her so much was suddenly granting her wish so readily?

That night, Claire lay in bed, tossing and turning as she tried to make sense of it all. It wasn’t until dawn broke that she remembered she had to prepare for work. With a heavy sigh, she finally closed her eyes and drifted into a deep sleep.

The next morning, she got up, washed up, and had breakfast before heading out for her first day back at work. To her surprise, Frederick had indeed allowed her to return. However, she never expected that upon arriving at the office, she’d be called into Antony’s office.

As she pushed the door open, the first thing she saw was Frederick sitting there.