Chapter 72: Let Her Die

As Claire reached out to grab Brian’s arm, wanting to clarify what was happening, she suddenly caught sight of Frederick. He stood directly across from her, and the moment their eyes met, Claire instinctively withdrew her hand and looked down, her heart racing. She thought, “What is Frederick doing here?”

“Mr. Hawthorne, what a surprise!” The man who had been attending to Claire rushed over, his demeanor shifting dramatically. He was all smiles and bows, a stark contrast to how he had treated Claire just moments before. Claire found it entirely predictable. After all, Frederick was a general and the head of the Kingstown Security Department. In a place like this, where trouble often brewed, it made sense to keep good relations with the government.

But here she was, caught in a predicament. There was no way to slip away now; Frederick had already spotted her. And staying put? That was risky. She didn’t want to attract his ire. Anxiety gripped Claire as she nervously fidgeted with her fingers, uncertain of what awaited her. Often, that kind of tension, that gnawing unease, was the most tormenting of all.

As Claire stood there, it was clear that Brian had also noticed Frederick’s arrival. He had been planning to greet Frederick since he recognized him years ago, but now he saw Frederick’s furrowed brow and paused. “Do you two know each other?” Brian asked, glancing between Frederick and Claire.

Claire was taken aback by the question, unsure of how to respond. To the outside world, she was just a pawn Frederick used to shield Caroline. Privately, she was the woman he despised the most. In this underground boxing ring, Claire had no idea what role she played in Frederick’s eyes.

Just as she was grappling with her thoughts, Frederick’s voice cut through the air. “Brian?” Feigning ignorance, Frederick approached Brian, as if he hadn’t seen the photo that had just circulated. The manager, eager to please, trailed closely behind Frederick.

“Mr. Hawthorne, good to see you!” Brian said, giving a respectful nod. “So, you two are about to throw down?” Frederick scanned Claire before asking Brian; his tone was casual but probing. Brian was a famous boxer in Kingstown. What could they do besides boxing?

“I…” Brian hadn’t expected that question. The man standing behind Frederick was practically bouncing with excitement. “Of course, Mr. Hawthorne! This is going to be the most exciting match in the history of the Black Horse Underground Boxing Ring! Would you like to watch? We can start right now!” The man’s obsequiousness was palpable. He was eager to cater to Frederick’s every whim. Just minutes ago, he’d been saying Claire should leave if she couldn’t fight, and now it was all about the spectacle.

“Felix, the girl just got here. Let’s give her some time to warm up. My punches can be a bit overwhelming,” Brian interjected, fully aware of Felix’s intentions. Someone like Frederick always attracted sycophants. But Brian also knew that if they started the match now, Claire might not survive. As Brian spoke, everyone understood the unspoken truth. His punches were not just fierce; once Brian was in the ring, he could lose control entirely.

Hearing Brian’s words, Claire finally realized that the man who had greeted her earlier was indeed Felix, the contact she had reached out to. “This is going to be a sight to behold. If they really fight, this young girl will likely die in the ring.” “Who wouldn’t think so, look at the manager’s sycophantic expression. Just now, he was considering whether to let the girl stay after a test fight, but now, he’s practically asking for her to be killed.” The other fighters in the underground ring were whispering among themselves, intrigued by the spectacle. Claire, standing there with her head bowed, felt even more nervous and unsettled.

Frederick’s eyes narrowed, and he gave the manager a terse instruction. “Alright, if it’s not entertaining enough, then you can forget about running this place.” Claire’s hand clenched tightly, her heart racing as if thunder had struck on a clear day. The boxing glove she had just taken off slipped from her grasp, landing on the ground with a loud snap.