Chapter 378: Don’t Go With Him

Frederick sneered, nodding slightly, his gun still trained on Arthur. He turned to Claire, his voice low yet resonant, each word hitting like a hammer. It was as if he were wielding an ice pick, chilling the atmosphere with every syllable.

Claire had never seen Frederick like this before. Even from behind Arthur, she could feel the cold radiating off him, creeping through the air and wrapping around her like a shroud. Her heart raced as she met Frederick’s gaze, the blood in her veins feeling as if it were freezing solid. There was no bloodlust in his eyes, no overt hostility, yet she trembled uncontrollably.

Even Arthur sensed her unease. “Clai, what’s wrong? Are you okay?” Arthur turned, concern etched on his face, as he grasped her hand, lowering the gun he had aimed at Frederick.

“I… I’m fine,” Claire stammered, her instinct to reassure him overriding her desire to respond to Frederick.

“Claire, I’m talking to you! Answer me!” Frederick’s voice thundered, and his fury surged like a wildfire, consuming all in its path. Seeing Arthur lower his weapon only fueled Frederick’s rage. He stepped forward, pressing the barrel of his gun against Arthur’s forehead.

Arthur said, “Go ahead, Frederick. If you’re so bold, pull the trigger! You think you can just take Claire away? Dream on! She’s not going anywhere with you!” Arthur, recognizing the tipping point of Frederick’s anger, didn’t give Claire a chance to speak. He seized Frederick’s gun, pressing it firmly against his own temple.

Frederick’s voice was a low growl, his temper reaching a boiling point. “Arthur, you think I won’t do it?”

In an instant, the silence shattered as Frederick fired. Claire’s body went rigid, her face draining of color as she shouted in horror, “Frederick!”

“General Hawthorne!” Richard yelled from behind Frederick, panic creeping into his voice. “Mr. Arthur Hawthorne!” The house staff echoed, their voices trembling with fear.

Shawn, the secretary, rushed in at the sound of the gunfire, his heart racing. He saw Arthur standing unharmed, relief washing over him, but that quickly turned to alarm when he spotted the gun pressed to Arthur’s head. “Frederick, you better not move a muscle!” he shouted, drawing his own weapon and aiming it at Frederick.

“Shawn, you dare shoot?” Frederick shot back, his grip tightening on his gun.

“Let’s see you try me!” Shawn growled, his jaw clenched as he pulled the trigger twice. The shots rang out, but Shawn knew better than to aim at Frederick or Richard. Instead, he aimed at the nearby table, sending bullets crashing through the wood.

The staff screamed in terror, scrambling for cover as chaos erupted in the villa. In the midst of the mayhem, a stray bullet struck a maid in the arm, causing her to cry out in pain. “Will I die? Am I going to be okay?” She sobbed, tears streaming down her face.

Claire rushed to her side, dialing emergency services. “Don’t worry! I’ve called for an ambulance, and you’re going to be fine. It’s just a flesh wound; you’re not in any real danger!”

As she comforted the maid, Claire glanced at Shawn, Richard, and Frederick, all still holding their guns, the tension palpable. Richard’s men, too, drew their guns and loaded their ammunition, ready for action.

“Enough! Frederick, you want me to go with you? Fine! I’ll go, but make your men lower their weapons!” Claire shouted with a cold smile.

“Clai, don’t!” Arthur protested, his voice urgent.