Chapter 293: Bring Her Back

Frederick was genuinely stunned by Harrison’s words. In that brief moment, countless thoughts raced through his mind. He had mobilized every available resource at his disposal and searched for three whole days without finding Claire. How could Harrison possibly succeed where he had failed?

True, the Prescott family had once been Kingstown’s wealthiest, and finding someone would have been child’s play for them. But now he was in charge of the entire Kingstown Security Department. When it came to locating people, he had more speed and convenience than Harrison. Yet Harrison spoke with such confidence about finding Claire. If that were the case, there could only be one explanation.

Harrison must have kidnapped her himself! At this thought, Frederick jerked his head up to look at Harrison. “Hey, what’s that look for? You think I kidnapped Claire?” Seeing Frederick’s expression, Harrison seemed to grasp his thoughts and let out a sneer instantly.

“I didn’t kidnap Claire,” Harrison finally explained after a long pause. He offered no other explanation or justification, but Frederick believed him. “I believe you,” Frederick said, looking away and chugging down another mouthful of alcohol.

“So do you agree to my earlier proposal?” Harrison pressed. “Harrison, do you really hate Claire that much?” Frederick dodged the question with one of his own.

“What do you think? Frederick, put yourself in my shoes. How would you feel if your own sister wandered homeless for over 20 years, only to end up dead because of some imposter pretending to be her? Wouldn’t you hate her?” Harrison didn’t answer Frederick’s question but countered with another.

“The events from four years ago aren’t set in stone.” Whether it was the alcohol or Claire’s recent disappearance affecting him, Frederick blurted out, “What difference does that make? Do we need to catch Claire red-handed, directing those thugs to kill Anna?”

Harrison snapped instantly, “Frederick, remember what I asked you before? I said you’d fallen for this woman without realizing it, completely forgetting Anna’s death and your vendetta. You vehemently denied it then, but what about now? Can you still deny it with such conviction? Frederick, let me make this crystal clear. If you keep protecting Claire, we’re done. I won’t back someone who can’t tell right from wrong and lets emotions cloud their judgment. Someone like that will never succeed.”

Frederick furrowed his brow but remained silent. Harrison’s message was clear. If Frederick continued down this path, the Prescott family would withdraw all their support—at least all the support that was within Harrison’s power to control.

“Frederick, Claire and I grew up together. I know who she really is better than you do. Sure, maybe she’s different now after four years in prison. But remember, a leopard doesn’t change its spots. You can tell someone’s true nature from childhood. You know damn well how she acted above the law all these years. And now, suddenly, after prison, she’s all meek and submissive? This isn’t the Claire either of us knew! Wake up! Look, I get it. She loved you for years, chased after you for years. But have you… forgotten the horrific way Anna died? Huh? Frederick, Anna was the Prescott family’s eldest daughter, yet she never had a single good day in over twenty years. Claire had everything handed to her for years, and not only was she ungrateful, she ended up having Anna raped and murdered. What kind of ruthless, vicious woman does that…?”

That night, Harrison ranted like a madman, relentlessly recounting everything from four years ago. He wanted the old Frederick back. He and Frederick had been through life and death together countless times over their many years of friendship. Their partnership was seamless, and he honestly couldn’t bear to lose such a close brother. Moreover, he couldn’t stand watching Frederick fall victim to Claire’s schemes.

In Harrison’s eyes, Claire had emerged from her four-year prison stint even more calculating than before. If the old Claire had been merely ruthless and arrogant, the new Claire was playing a long game, hiding her true nature behind a carefully crafted mask. Plus, his heart still ached for his beloved sister Anna, who had died at Claire’s hands!

“Frederick, Claire’s acting this way because she’s cornered with nowhere to run. Remember how she tried to drive out of Kingstown before? Only after you caught her did she change her tactics…” As Harrison spoke, Frederick found himself lost in memories. Indeed, it was from that moment that Claire stopped trying to escape, and her entire demeanor changed completely.

Finally, he agreed to Harrison’s plan. “Fine, we’ll do it your way. Claire’s yours to find. Once you bring her back, handle her as you see fit.”