Chapter 305: Stop It!

In an instant, Claire’s face turned bright red as she struggled to breathe. “I… didn’t… cough, cough… cough, cough…” She fought to explain herself, but as soon as she began, her voice failed her completely.

Frederick’s grip tightened, holding her neck until her eyes rolled back, and just as she was about to lose consciousness, he finally released her.

“Cough, cough, cough… cough, cough, cough… I’m really not lying! Everything I said is the truth! If you don’t believe me, you can check!” Once freed, Claire clutched her chest, gasping for air.

Frederick could easily check the truth with just a snap of his fingers. But he didn’t want to. He didn’t know exactly what had happened to her in prison, but he knew Claire before prison all too well.

She had always been a spoiled, arrogant heiress, following him around, insisting she would make him fall in love with her. And he knew her better than anyone, especially with all the years he’d spent alongside Harrison.

A high and mighty, pampered princess from the Prescott family—when had she suddenly become so compassionate? Feeling sorry for others, writing a check for a million dollars for Antony? Ridiculous.

He still remembered the first time he went to Prescott Estate. The maid served him coffee that was slightly too hot, so Claire slapped her across the face. Then she had ordered the maid to be taught a lesson and thrown out, despite the maid’s desperate pleas. Claire didn’t even bat an eyelash. Such harsh behavior wasn’t even tolerated in the military, let alone in a household. This was the same spoiled princess, and now she was supposed to have a heart of gold? Give Antony a million dollars out of kindness? Not even a three-year-old would believe that.

Frederick snorted, his expression dark. “Claire, don’t forget,” he said, “I grew up with you. I know exactly what kind of person you are.”

Claire had been about to explain again, but hearing Frederick’s words, she realized there was no point. He was right. He knew her better than anyone. The little princess of the Prescott family had indeed been spoiled, wild, and capable of doing anything. Maybe some would believe she could kill someone, but if she claimed to do something kind, no one would buy it.

Looking back at who she used to be, Claire felt a mix of pain and irony. The irony was that she had once lived without a care in the world, loved and spoiled. She thought the entire world belonged to the Prescott family and that everything was within her control. The pain came from realizing that the very same spoiled behavior that had made her feel invincible had led her to where she was now.

Frederick sneered when she didn’t answer. “What’s wrong? Caught in a lie and have nothing to say?”

Claire tightened her fists, offering a bitter smile. “No matter what I say, you won’t believe me, will you? You’ve already decided I’m lying, that I’m framing Caroline. So why waste my breath explaining?”

She thought back to four years ago—how many times had she begged and cried, explaining herself, but he’d never believed her then either?

“Claire, if it weren’t for the fact that you’re still my fiancée, I’d make sure you never saw the light of day again.”

Frederick had already made up his mind. To him, Claire’s responses were nothing but desperate struggles, not worth paying attention to. “Guards, lock her up. No one is to let her out without my orders.” He didn’t give her another chance to speak and stood up, walking away.

Claire’s heart raced as she heard Frederick’s command. Panic surged through her. She hadn’t been with Hiokeeh Group for so long, and she had no idea how the others were progressing. If one of the five remaining people had secured the deal with Eclipse Nightclub, she’d be out of the picture. And that meant no chance of joining Hiokeeh Group. Now, Frederick was locking her up, preventing her from even going to the company—this was a disaster.

“Frederick! What right do you have to lock me up? Let me out!” She hastily tied her bathrobe and chased after him.

At that moment, her phone rang—it was Antony calling. Frederick heard the ringtone and instinctively glanced back. Seeing it was Antony’s call, he turned, picked up the phone from the table, and answered it.

“Frederick! Give me my phone back!” Claire lunged at him, reaching for the device.

Frederick smiled, a wicked grin, and within moments, he had pinned her down. As he swiped to answer the call, he took a firm grip on her waist.

“Ah!” Claire’s cry echoed through the phone, reaching Antony’s ears.

“Claire!” Antony shouted frantically from the other end of the line.

“Antony,” Frederick’s smile deepened as he activated the speakerphone. “What’s up?” He said the words casually, almost mockingly.

“Frederick? What are you doing to Claire? Stop it!”