Chapter 311: Shattered Bonds

Harrison steadied his nerves, extending his other hand to grip the phone tightly. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to watch each video on the phone, one by one. After finishing all the videos, he suddenly burst out laughing.

“Haha, Frederick, where did you get these videos? They are pretty realistic!”

Harrison tossed the phone to Frederick and spoke directly. At the same time, he poured himself a glass of whiskey, downing it in one gulp.

Frederick glanced at Harrison’s bloodshot eyes, frowning. “These are the materials Richard found from the prison.”

“Have you been in love with Claire for so long you cannot let go? Why else would you send Richard to the prison to investigate all this?”

“I told you before, there’s no need to investigate. Claire grew up with me, and after all these years, I know her better than anyone. There is no need for a background check.”

“But you still went ahead with it. What is going on? Is she now so important to you? Can you not live without her? If I killed her, would you kill me in revenge?”

Harrison finished his sentence and slammed his glass onto the floor with a loud crash. His words seemed directed at Frederick, but they felt more like he was speaking to himself.

Harrison and Claire had grown up together. Despite all that had happened, no matter how much Harrison hated her, seeing this situation still made him instinctively feel pain. But realizing that pain only fueled Harrison’s anger.

He thought, “After all, Claire had been the one to kill Anna. Heh, who would have thought, in the end, I would still feel for Claire.”

“Harrison, we have known each other for so many years. We understand each other well. Just look at yourself now. You do not need me to answer your questions, do you?”

Frederick did not answer Harrison’s question but stared at him intently, speaking softly. From the expression Harrison had when he saw the videos, Frederick already knew what was on his mind.

“What is wrong with me? Is it so unusual for me to react like this? Even if you raise a dog for long enough, you get attached to it. What is more, we are humans.”

“I used to treat Claire like my real sister, holding her close and caring for her all the time. We spent so many years together. Seeing her tortured like this, I cannot remain indifferent.”

“But to say I feel heartbroken? Not really. I just think she deserves it. Everything that has happened is her own fault. If she had not killed Anna, she would not be in prison.”

“If she had not been so blinded by vanity, wanting to become the Prescott family’s princess, she would not be suffering now. She deserves all of this. She has only been bullied a few times in prison. So what?”

“Anna lost her life, though. What is a little suffering compared to that? Frederick, do not say anything more, and stop showing me these videos. I will ask you one thing. Can you still give Claire to me?”

Harrison did not want to admit his own pain for Claire, whether out of stubbornness or something else. Perhaps he feared acknowledging it would make him confront the loss of Anna.

“Okay.”

Frederick tightened his grip, sitting on the sofa, staring at Harrison for a long time before nodding in agreement. “I will go with you to Halfmoon Manor now to bring Claire out.”

Harrison nodded and stood up to head out with Frederick.

“Mm.” Frederick did not resist any further and got up to accompany Harrison to Halfmoon Manor.

At that moment, Claire had just woken up, finished washing up, and was trying to figure out how to contact Antony without making him worry. After thinking for a while, she could not come up with a good plan. Just as she was at a loss, the door suddenly opened.

Claire instinctively thought it was Frederick. She stood up and walked toward the door.

“Frederick…”

But as soon as she reached the door and called out, she saw Harrison.

“Harri… Mr. Prescott, what are you doing here?”

Maybe it was because it had been a long time since Claire saw Harrison, or perhaps it was the habit formed over the years, but she almost called him “Harrison” out of reflex. She quickly corrected herself.

Claire thought, “I was just an imposter, the fake daughter. My mother selfishly used me to replace the true Prescott family heiress. I had no right to call Harrison’s name.”

Harrison sneered. “Of course, I am here to take your life. Frederick said to hand you over to me.”

“What?!”