Chapter 361: Or You’ll Have My Corpse

Richard paused in surprise. “Yes, General. I’ll send someone to investigate right away! Did something happen at Hawthorne Manor?” He had always kept his people planted in Arthur’s circle. Frederick knew about this, and Richard wondered why he was suddenly intensifying surveillance.

“Tell me, is it possible that Claire isn’t dead?” Instead of answering Richard’s question, Frederick stared intently out the window, voicing this seemingly bizarre thought.

“What? General, how could that be possible? Have you discovered something?” With a screech, Richard slammed on the brakes. The truck involved had been a massive oil tanker, fully loaded when it collided with Caroline and Diana’s vehicle. When that much oil burned utterly, it wouldn’t just incinerate two bodies! It could reduce ten bodies to ashes. He had meticulously reviewed all nearby security footage at the time, and not a single camera had captured Claire jumping from the vehicle before the explosion and fire.

“It’s nothing, never mind. Drive back to Halfmoon Manor.” The car’s sudden brake threw Frederick forward, nearly hitting his head on the table in front. The jolt seemed to snap him back to reality. He realized how ridiculous his previous question had been. With both cars burned beyond recognition, how could Claire possibly have survived? As for Arthur’s situation, it wouldn’t hurt to be cautious. The investigation would need to continue.

“Yes, General.” Richard glanced at Frederick, remembering how he hadn’t slept for days after Claire’s death. He assumed Frederick was still in shock, which explained his strange question. Dismissing it, Richard pressed the gas pedal and drove back to Halfmoon Manor.

Meanwhile, at Hawthorne Manor, just as Jane was heading upstairs to join Nathan in his study, Arthur quickly caught up and blocked her path. “Mom, I need to talk to you.” Usually, Jane would have gone straight to Nathan first to convince him to change his mind. But now, seeing Arthur’s solemn expression, she followed him back to his room.

“What is it?” Jane anxiously asked as she entered Arthur’s room. She was still eager to persuade Nathan to lock Frederick up. Arthur, however, remained perfectly calm.

“Mom, do you believe in my abilities?” he asked, pulling out a cigarette and taking a drag before speaking.

“What?” Jane hadn’t expected Arthur to open with such a seemingly irrelevant question.

“Do you believe I have what it takes to defeat Frederick and become president?” Arthur pressed.

“Of course, I believe in you, my son, the most. But Frederick shouldn’t be underestimated. In the twenty-plus years since he returned to the Hawthorne family, I’ve tried countless methods, yet he’s still managed to fight his way to where he is today. His cunning and scheming run deep. Otherwise, how could he have reached his current position? Not only securing the rank of General but also controlling Kingstown’s entire Security Department?”

The mention of the Kingstown Security Department reminded Jane of Arthur’s recent plea on Frederick’s behalf. Jane continued, “Speaking of the Kingstown Security Department, I can’t help but scold you about this. It’s such a crucial department. Now, there’s finally a chance! Your father could lock Frederick away. And yet you just pleaded for his release!”

“You’ll be the death of me! Wouldn’t it be perfect if your father locked him up? Within days, the Kingstown Security Department would fall into your hands. Such a critical department can’t go without leadership for even a day.”

Jane grew increasingly angry while Arthur maintained his calm smile. He said, “Mom, if you trust me, don’t do anything from now on. Don’t say anything to Dad, either. Since I got Dad to agree to Frederick’s Military Order, I can guarantee it will cost him his life! Oh, and I can tell you this! It’ll only take seven days!”

Arthur took a deep drag of his cigarette. Just then, his phone rang. He glanced at the screen, hung up, and rushed back to his villa. Jane stood frozen, staring at Arthur’s retreating figure, taking a long moment to collect herself. Reflecting, she realized Arthur had never disappointed her from childhood to now. Frederick might be tough to handle, but except for the military, Arthur had already firmly seized control of everything, both in politics and business. As for the military, that was just a fluke. Frederick had gambled with his life back then and got lucky.

Since Arthur was so confident this time, she decided to wait and see. Meanwhile, Arthur was speeding back to the villa. He managed to shave twenty minutes off what should have been an hour-long drive. As soon as he entered the living room, he spotted a woman with a knife, backing towards the door with her back turned to him.

She said, “Either… you let me… leave… or you’ll have my corpse on your hands…”