Chapter 347: No Remains Left

Frederick shouted as he grabbed Richard’s collar. “Car accident?” Richard turned pale. “Understood. I’ll investigate right away.”

Frederick let go, and Richard immediately spoke into the intercom. “Drop everything you’re doing right now and find out what happened with Ms. Prescott.”

Two hours later, Frederick and Richard arrived at the outskirts of Kingstown. Diana and Caroline were still standing near the edge of the explosion site. A crowd had gathered around the blast scene, where Richard’s subordinates had already cordoned off the area.

“This is truly horrific.”

“Yeah, I’ve never seen such a severe car accident before. Both vehicles exploded right on the spot.”

“Me neither. I’ve only seen this kind of thing in TV dramas.”

“Poor victims.”

“Exactly. A car accident is bad enough, but this has wiped out their remains.”

The onlookers continued their hushed discussions. Frederick stared at the charred remains of the vehicles. His feet seemed rooted to the ground, unable to take even a step forward.

“Frederick, you’re here. I’m so sorry,” Diana said, rushing over to him.

Caroline chimed in, “Frederick, we never thought something like this would happen.”

“We went home for lunch today, and right after, a maid rushed in, saying that Claire suddenly had severe belly pain. When we went downstairs, she was writhing on the floor in agony.”

“We were worried something was wrong, so we drove her to the hospital. But on the way, a child suddenly darted out onto the road.”

“That kid wouldn’t get out of the way. Diana and I got out of the car to move him. Just as we were about to get back in, a truck barreled straight toward our car.”

“Then the explosion happened. Everything happened so fast. The two cars collided, and the explosion followed almost immediately. We didn’t even have a chance to save her.”

“Claire, I’m so sorry. If only we hadn’t stopped the car and gotten out, you wouldn’t have…”

She had rehearsed this account in her mind countless times, and now, faced with Frederick, she poured it all out without pause.

He seemed oblivious to the words of those around him. His mind was consumed by a single, crushing thought. Claire had been in the car. The two cars had collided, exploded, and left no remains. Richard stood beside him, equally silent.

It was unclear how much time had passed before Frederick finally moved. He said, “Richard, handle the aftermath.” He turned and headed back to his car. Then he instructed the driver, “Take me to the Halfmoon Manor.”

At six in the evening, Frederick returned to the Halfmoon Manor. He mechanically changed his shoes, went up the stairs, and entered Claire’s room. The last rays of the setting sun streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling window, casting a warm glow. It felt hauntingly like the final moments of a life. For a moment, he thought he saw an illusion. The last sliver of sunlight seemed to take Claire’s shape.

Chapter 348: Never Like This

The fire burned out their remains. Frederick gripped the phone. These words echoed in his mind. The remaining text is unintelligible and cannot be corrected.