Chapter 375: Frederick Knows Everything
Arthur jolted when he saw the message. He hadn't expected Wraith to know so quickly. After a moment, he replied: [I’ve always sent people to investigate Claire. Have you forgotten? From the start of our cooperation three years ago, I began looking into her while she was still in prison.]
Wraith replied: [Hmph, Arthur, don’t think I don’t know your plans. I know about the previous investigation, but the current investigation was ordered by you just today.]
[Soon after we exchanged messages. What? Are you backing out of our cooperation? If so, let’s terminate it.]
Wraith had detailed the exact time when Arthur instructed Shawn to investigate Claire. Arthur replied: [I just want to deal with Frederick better. He already knows that Claire is not dead and is in my hands.]
Arthur was stunned by Wraith’s capabilities. He had only given the order an hour or two ago. He decided to use Frederick as an excuse in his reply, but Wraith fell silent afterward.
Arthur stared at his phone until Claire reminded him, “Mr. Arthur Hawthorne, the food is getting cold. Eat quickly.” “Yeah, okay.” He snapped back to reality, absentmindedly taking a bite.
At that moment, Wraith sent another message: [Arthur, if this happens again, we’ll terminate all cooperation.] Arthur read Wraith’s reply and sighed in relief, but anger soon followed. He flipped his phone onto the table in frustration. No one had ever dared to threaten him like that.
Claire observed his behavior, growing increasingly suspicious. Something must have gone wrong. She knew he wouldn’t share any details, so she refrained from asking. After finishing her meal, she made an excuse and hurried upstairs for a break.
Over the next two days, she searched for information but found nothing. She had no real channels for information aside from asking the villa servants or searching online. She could also consult Elizabeth, but now that such a big thing had happened to her, it was better not to alarm her for the time being.
During this time, Arthur unexpectedly stayed home. Claire found it strange. Her body hadn’t recovered before, and she was very weak when she woke up. Arthur didn’t go to work and took care of her at home. Now that she was almost recovered, he continued to care for her, bringing food and gifts, like clothes, jewelry, and more, until her room was overflowing.
“Mr. Arthur Hawthorne, please stop buying things. I can’t hold them in my room. I don’t go out much, so I don’t need these things.” Claire approached Arthur about it.
“It’s fine. I’ve organized a huge new closet for you. It’ll hold everything,” Arthur replied, leading her to the spacious closet.
“Arthur, why are you so nice to me?” Claire asked. She saw a large dressing room filled with all kinds of luxury items. This collection surpassed what she had as the Prescott family’s little princess. It had been years since she felt so pampered. The last time was four years ago when Elizabeth bought her a piece of jewelry designed by one of her favorite designers. It was difficult to buy, so Claire had never bought it.
“Do I need a reason to be nice to the woman I like?” Arthur responded with a rhetorical question.
“No, but it feels like you will be gone soon,” Claire said, shaking her head. Though he had always treated her well since she moved in, his recent generosity felt excessive, almost like he was preparing for his death.
Arthur chuckled bitterly. “You see right through me. Alright, I won’t hide it. Frederick knows you’re alive and that you’re here with me.”