Chapter 363: Impossible
Arthur snuffed out his cigarette and walked toward Claire, asking, “What?”
When Claire saw the emotion in Arthur’s eyes, her trembling hands stilled. Her fear vanished, replaced by pure shock. She couldn’t believe her ears. What had Arthur just said? He actually said he didn’t want her to die, that he wanted her by his side for life! Hell, no! She must have misheard! After all, it was Arthur, the man whose name alone had struck terror into the hearts of men since childhood.
She would never forget her childhood fear of Arthur; she'd had a high fever for a month when she was little. She always thought Arthur was the most frightening person she knew. Even now, she felt instinctive fear when facing him.
So how could someone like him possibly have feelings for her? Yet his words had clearly expressed his love. Claire still thought she must have misheard. She, Frederick, Harrison, Arthur, and Diana—the five of them had grown up together. She understood Frederick, she understood Diana, and, of course, she understood Arthur just as well. Arthur had always been seen as a freak since childhood, never getting close to others or playing with them. It seemed he’d never even had emotional needs. In all these years, there had never been a single woman by his side. Even his subordinates were all men. Claire had always thought of Arthur as an emotionless, sociopathic freak. Yet here he was, telling her he had feelings for her?
“Heh, Mr. Arthur Hawthorne, are you kidding me?” Claire instinctively shuddered, taking a step back.
“Claire, do I look like I’m joking right now?” Arthur continued to advance.
Eventually, Claire found herself backed against the wall with nowhere left to retreat. Arthur stepped forward, quickly moving his hand behind her head to prevent it from hitting the wall. This gentle gesture, combined with the undisguised concern in his eyes, left Claire truly dazed.
When a man shows such tender concern for a woman, what else could it be but love? But why would Arthur have feelings for her?
Claire said, “Why do you like me? Arthur, given how things have turned out, you know everything about me. I’m not that privileged young lady from the Prescott family anymore. I can’t help you with the presidential election, and I’m Frederick’s fiancée in name only. We’ve even been intimate. Choosing me won’t benefit you in any way. It’ll only bring you negative consequences. You might even lose your shot at the presidency because of me.”
Claire was genuinely confused beyond reason.
“Claire, tell me, why have you loved Frederick all these years?” Arthur didn’t answer his own question.
“I…” Claire opened her mouth to explain but found herself at a loss for words.
“What’s wrong? Can’t say anything? Love and attraction don’t follow any logic. There’s no ‘why’ about it. You like who you like, and you love who you love. As for the presidential race and any negative fallout… that’s my problem to deal with. I chose you, and I’m capable of handling the consequences of that choice. Right now, I just need to know one thing—will you stay by my side? Don’t feel any pressure. If you want to stay, this is your home. I won’t force you to do anything without your consent. On the flip hand, if you want to leave, I won’t stop you. There’s no need to hurt yourself to gain your freedom. You can put the knife down now. We’ve grown up together! You know the kind of man I am. When I give my word, I keep it!”
As Arthur finished speaking, he grabbed the knife in Claire’s hand. Claire was still tense, gripping the knife tightly. But Arthur deliberately grabbed the blade and pulled it downward, blood immediately flowing from his palm and dripping steadily from the tip of the knife.
“Arthur!” Claire’s heart jumped, and she quickly released her grip on the knife.