Chapter 28: He Needs Her
“Are you done pretending? Aren’t you afraid I’ll send you in there to die at that man’s hands?”
Frederick’s impatience boiled over. He reached for the door handle, but suddenly, Claire collapsed to the floor, blood pooling beneath her. In that moment, he realized she had hit her head during the struggle and was bleeding. As she lay unconscious, Frederick felt an unexpected pang of fear; it was as if she were slipping away from him. He scooped her up and rushed out, panic coursing through him.
An hour later, at the hospital. Frederick stood by the window in the private room, the doctor’s words echoing in his mind.
“The patient has suffered prolonged psychological and physical abuse. Her body is already weakened. Now she is very frail and cannot do heavy work. She needs to rest and recover.”
Hmph, psychological and physical abuse? It was just a little work out of fear of protecting Caroline. Compared to Anna’s death, what was this? If he wasn’t afraid she would die and put Caroline in danger, he wouldn’t have saved this woman, brought her to the hospital.
Frederick ignored the strange tightness in his chest and instructed Richard Parker beside him, “When she wakes up, send her back to the mansion.”
Richard nodded slightly, “Yes, Frederick.”
“Also, tell the butler to take good care of her when you get back. This woman is still useful; can’t let anything happen to her.”
Frederick started to leave, then turned back. “…Okay, I understand, Frederick.”
Richard was stunned. Now hearing these instructions, he could hardly believe it. Didn’t they say this Claire killed Frederick’s beloved years ago? Frederick should be wishing for her death; how could he… Oh well, whatever Frederick ordered, that’s what he would do. It wasn’t his place to question Frederick’s decisions.
Chapter 28: He Needs Her
Claire woke up again around 3 am. She opened her eyes to find herself in a hospital room. She looked around; no one was there. The hospital? She had passed out in front of the private room at Eclipse Nightclub; how did she end up here? Could it be that Frederick… No, Frederick hated her so much; how could he bring her to the hospital?
“Ms. Prescott, you’re awake. Frederick instructed me to send you back to the mansion when you woke up, if you’re feeling okay.” Richard finished the call and entered, seeing Claire was awake. Hearing Richard mention Frederick, Claire realized it was indeed Frederick who had saved her. So it was Frederick after all, humph… But she absolutely wouldn’t foolishly think Frederick didn’t want her dead; it was definitely because his current situation was very dangerous and he needed her. Otherwise, he would have watched her die without blinking.
“Okay, thank you.” Claire nodded politely and reservedly.
“Ms. Prescott, no need to be so polite.” Richard was taken aback. This was his first private interaction with Claire. Didn’t they say this little princess of the Prescott family was arrogant and unreasonable? How could she be so polite and cautious?
The butler had mentioned before that this Claire had done all the work in the mansion, even passing out from exhaustion. At the time, he didn’t think much of it, just felt doing the work of dozens of people was too exaggerated; she must be acting. But seeing Claire like this now, she really didn’t seem to be acting. But thinking back to what happened four years ago, Richard shook his head. Oh well, these things weren’t for him to decide or change. He would just do whatever Frederick said.
At 4 am, Richard completed the hospital formalities and sent Claire back to the Halfmoon Manor. The moment Claire returned to the Halfmoon Manor, she was truly stunned. The usually indifferent servants and butler were actually waiting at the door to welcome her.
Chapter 28: He Needs Her
“Frederick instructed, to take good care of Claire.” Following Frederick’s orders, Richard left after saying this. Claire was shocked, but also self-aware. She figured the hospital must have said something, so Frederick was afraid she would die and no one would shield Caroline; that’s why he ordered them to take good care of her.
Sure enough, the family doctor came the next day, saying her body was already weak, she couldn’t overwork herself anymore, must take good care of her health. Otherwise, at her young age, if anything happened, how regrettable.
Claire clenched her fist tightly, “Okay, I understand, thank you doctor. Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of myself.”
After the doctor left, she lifted her clothes and looked closely at her now-healed leg, could still make out the difference between the two legs. And the wound on her abdomen, that deep long scar. Even now, the icy feeling of being cut by the knife still seemed to be invading every pore of her body. Her hands were trembling unconsciously; Claire tightened her fist.
She had just barely gotten out, finally not having to be tortured, humiliated, and ravaged every day; she must take good care of herself.
In the following period, Claire never saw Frederick again. The servants in the mansion carefully attended to her, and she lived comfortably and at ease. This was the most comfortable and relaxed period since her release from prison. Even so, she didn’t give up the work at Eclipse Nightclub, still went when she should. Money still needed to be earned; she knew in her heart this comfortable life wouldn’t last long. As for the Halfmoon Manor, she could take this opportunity to properly recover her health, waiting for the future.
Claire also took advantage of being plump and white to make a video call to Elizabeth, wanting to put her at ease.
“Grandma, don’t worry, I’m doing well here in Queenstown. I found a very good job as a servant for a rich family, just keeping company with their lady and such, very easy.”
“Look, I’m being fed well and have gotten all plump and white now.”
When Claire told Elizabeth, she felt very sorry for her granddaughter, felt the child she had doted on since little was now a servant, and shed two tears.
Coincidentally, this scene was just seen by Harrison.