Chapter 73: For Me?
Though Frederick didn’t say much, the implication was crystal clear. It was obvious to anyone watching: he was sending Claire to her doom.
Claire stood there, frozen, her mind racing with thoughts of the impending confrontation with Brian and Frederick’s piercing gaze.
Half an hour later, Claire and Brian found themselves back in the ring. No amount of pleading could change the situation now.
“General Hawthorne, Ms. Prescott has just recovered from serious injuries. If this fight goes ahead, it could be life-threatening,” Richard interjected, fully aware that Claire stood little chance against Brian.
“Life-threatening? Ha! She doesn’t care about her own life, so why should you?” Frederick replied, lounging back with his legs crossed.
At that moment, Frederick’s mind was flooded with images of Claire flirting with men at the underground Eclipse Nightclub. He thought, “This woman can’t just stay home like a good girl; she insists on coming to the boxing…”
Is she ever going to play by the rules? She was at the Eclipse Nightclub, and it seems she’s the same there. Doesn’t she claim to be so fond of me? Isn’t it… necessary to live without…?
Now that she’s… she’s no longer the prized daughter of the Passutt family and is out of my league, she’s trying to find her husband elsewhere, right? Or is it that Claire is deliberately trying to grab my attention? From the underground Eclipse Nightclub to now, has it all been an act? Otherwise, how did those photos end up on my phone?
“Find out who sent me those photos,” Frederick instructed Richard.
“Yes, sir,” Richard replied, casting one last glance at Claire and Brian before stepping outside to make the call.
In the ring, Claire donned her gloves, facing Brian as she raised her fists, preparing for the fight. The atmosphere was thick with tension; only Frederick, Felix, and a few other fighters stood nearby, watching intently. As the two prepared to clash, the surrounding fighters hushed their chatter; their focus zeroed in on Claire and Brian.
Claire’s eyes were locked on Brian. She was ready to seize any opportunity to strike. Meanwhile, Brian stood there, seemingly hesitant, as if he were wrestling with his own thoughts. But Claire couldn’t afford to underestimate him; after all, he was Brian, the notorious boxing fanatic of Kingstown.
Yet, to everyone’s surprise, it was Claire who made the first move. After observing him for what felt like an eternity, she suddenly lunged forward, springing toward Brian like a coiled spring released. Her fist shot out with precision and power, aimed directly at him, her gaze fierce and unwavering.
In that instant, Frederick was struck by a vivid memory of Claire’s determined, proud face. “Frederick, one day, I will be the one worthy of standing by your side,” Claire had once declared. He recalled a fight back in school where he had come out on top. When it was over, Harrison asked him why he had fought so hard. Frederick had replied that he had no choice; he had to fight to survive. After all, being born into the Hawthorne family meant everything was predetermined.
At that moment, a realization dawned on him. Claire was truly working hard, pushing herself to stand beside him. Frederick thought, “Has she taken up boxing just for me?”