Chapter 36: Afraid of Her
Diana was furious. After hanging up, Caroline’s narrow eyes gleamed with a sinister and ruthless light. Regardless of whether Claire’s injury was the cause, or if something else was going on, she could no longer sit idly by. Initially, she learned from Diana that Claire was staying at the Halfmoon Manor. Filled with worry, she went over and constantly made things difficult for Claire.
However, once she realized Frederick was doing everything to have Claire take the heat for him, she felt a bit relieved and decided not to interfere too much. Otherwise, it would only give Claire a chance to appear weak and gain sympathy. What she didn’t expect was that, after moving out, Frederick treated Claire even better. He not only brought her out of the basement but also had people pampering her with food and drinks.
Had she not heard this news, she wouldn’t have teamed up with Diana to stage the scene from the night before. They had hired a few thugs to reenact a scenario identical to one from four years ago. Yet, she never anticipated that this act would escalate into the current situation. No, there had to be some misunderstanding. She refused to believe that Frederick could fall for Claire, especially with Anna’s death hanging between them.
This time, she and Diana were determined to work together to eliminate Claire once and for all. Half an hour later, Diana rushed into the hospital, her face flushed with urgency.
“Caroline, I checked on the way here. Frederick went to rescue Claire because she was sent to some pervert’s bed last night.”
“Everyone in our circle has been talking about that guy. They say no girl ever comes out alive after getting into his hands. I don’t think you need to worry too much.”
“Maybe he’s just worried about how to explain things to the Prescott family. You know how Claire got out last time – it was because Madam Prescott threatened to kill herself.”
As the heiress of the Hawthorne family, Diana held more power than Caroline. She had quickly uncovered the details of the previous night’s events on her way to the hospital.
“No, Diana, you don’t understand my fears. Anna died at Claire’s hands. I’m scared of her; I’m really scared.”
“And think about it – Frederick has already allowed her to stay at the Halfmoon Manor. Who knows what might happen next?”
“Diana, I just can’t accept that a woman like her could take Frederick away from Anna. I believe you can’t accept it either, right?”
Caroline felt a surge of satisfaction upon hearing this. It seemed she didn’t have to worry too much; Frederick was likely just afraid of Claire dying and wanted to keep her around to shield him from trouble. Yet, even with this thought, she couldn’t let her guard down. Just thinking about the way Frederick looked at Claire this morning in the hospital made her uneasy. Diana, the foolish and brainless Hawthorne heiress, was currently the most useful person for Caroline. She needed to play the victim.
“Of course, Caroline, I’ve always been on your side. Don’t worry; if my brother tries to be with Claire, I’ll do everything in my power to stop it.”
“After Anna left us, you’ve been the one by Frederick’s side for the past four years. I know you well enough. Our relationship is so good; I will definitely help you!”
Diana was easily manipulated by Caroline’s emotional tactics, and with just a few words, she was completely hooked.
“Really? Diana, are you truly willing to help me? Don’t you think I’m being too much? Taking my sister’s man – I feel terrible about it myself.”
“I admit, I’ve fallen for Frederick. I’ve told myself over and over that I shouldn’t do this, but no matter what, I can’t pull away. I’m a bad woman, sob sob… How could I steal Anna’s love?”
Hearing this, Caroline knew the moment had arrived. If she didn’t act now, when would she? She slapped her own face several times, crying out that she didn’t deserve to be happy.
“No, Caroline, how can you say that you’re stealing? I believe that if Anna is watching from above, she would trust you with Frederick.”
Seeing Caroline like this only made Diana more convinced that Caroline was the best girl in the world, solidifying her resolve to help. With her goal achieved, Caroline began to set her next plan in motion. After all, besides Frederick, the Prescott family also harbored hatred for Claire. Especially Harrison, who had a hand in both condemning Claire and sending her to prison. What could be more credible than the words of Harrison, who had grown up alongside Claire?
Caroline deliberately steered Diana’s thoughts toward Harrison, praising him endlessly while leveraging Diana’s influence as a Hawthorne heiress to accomplish what she couldn’t do on her own.
“Okay, it’s settled. Caroline, I’m going right now. You focus on recovering; I’ll take care of everything else. Don’t worry!”
Diana, feeling clever and excited, rushed off to execute the next part of the plan. As Caroline watched Diana’s figure disappear, she crossed her arms and reclined comfortably on the hospital bed. She had to admit, her deceased sister Anna, who wasn’t even related by blood, had paved a great path for her.
Anna Beaumont, you really are a wonderful sister, and your death was perfectly timed. Oh, no, I should now refer to you as Anna Prescott, since you were the true heiress of the Prescott family. But now, your identity doesn’t matter; what’s important is that your death has brought me immense value. Without your death, I would have never dreamed of being close to such an outstanding man like Frederick! As for the rest – what a joke, Claire! The only person who will stand by Frederick’s side in the end is me, and only me!