Chapter 448 - 451: Watch Her Around the Clock

Adrian Lancaster’s gaze was locked on Claire Bennett, his eyes utterly cold.

"So, you deliberately schemed to get close to my wife and me, sowed discord, caused trouble, and even wanted us dead."

As he spoke, he advanced, backing Claire Bennett into a corner. His sharp, oppressive presence and commanding aura made her heart pound with fear.

She shook her head forcefully, vehemently denying everything she had done.

"No, I didn’t do it. I haven’t done anything."

"Adrian, please believe me."

Adrian Lancaster pressed closer, continuing to apply pressure.

"Then what did you mean by what you just said? You said you wanted to drive Wren Sutton away and take back everything that belongs to you."

Claire Bennett averted her gaze, her explanation faltering. "I... I was just saying that. It’s what I thought, but I wouldn’t dare do anything."

"Otherwise, how could Wren Sutton possibly be safe and sound at home right now?"

At the mention of Wren Sutton, she gritted her teeth, her hostility unconcealed.

"That’s right, I do hate Wren Sutton. I hate her for stealing you from me. I hate that she has all your love and tolerance. All of that should have been mine! Wren Sutton stole my life."

"She really does deserve to die!"

"Enough!" Adrian Lancaster snapped, his face darkening as a malevolent aura radiated from him.

Claire Bennett flinched, tears of indignation welling in her eyes. "Adrian, don’t be so harsh, okay? You were never like this with me before."

Adrian Lancaster remained unmoved. "I was blind before. I didn’t see your true colors. You had me wrapped around your finger, and I nearly destroyed my family because of it."

"No, it’s not like that. Listen to me, let me explain..." Claire Bennett’s tears flowed faster, making her look fragile and pitiful.

Adrian Lancaster couldn’t be bothered to listen. "I’ll ask you one more time. How many terrible things have you done behind my back? If you confess, I might forgive you. But if I find out on my own, I will show you absolutely no mercy."

Claire Bennett froze, her mind racing with unease.

’She wasn’t stupid enough to confess her own crimes and give him leverage against her.’

’But from the way Adrian Lancaster was talking, it seemed like he had already found something.’

’Otherwise, on what grounds could he suspect her? Why would he be pressing her to confess?’

"Why aren’t you talking?" Adrian Lancaster broke the silence, not missing the slightest flicker of emotion on her face.

He clearly saw a fleeting look of nervousness and panic on Claire Bennett’s face.

Claire Bennett snapped out of her thoughts, struggling to suppress her panic.

"I’ve said so much, but you don’t believe me. What else is there for me to say?"

"I love you so much. You can suspect anyone, but you shouldn’t suspect me."

Adrian Lancaster looked at Claire Bennett, who was flawlessly and flatly denying everything. The last trace of impatience in his eyes vanished, replaced by a bone-chilling emptiness.

Any more questions would be futile.

She was determined to keep her mouth shut. This whole back-and-forth had become a meaningless waste of energy, serving no real purpose.

He stopped questioning her. His thin lips pressed into a hard, cold line. The oppressive aura around him suddenly receded, which paradoxically made the situation even more unnerving.

"I gave you a chance. I hope what you’re saying is true."

Adrian Lancaster had no intention of playing along with Claire Bennett’s act any longer. He turned to leave.

’Although he hadn’t gotten the truth about the car accident, tonight could still be considered a success.’

Seeing Adrian Lancaster about to leave, his tall, straight back showing no hint of hesitation, Claire Bennett rushed forward on instinct, ignoring the stiff discomfort from her prosthetic leg.

She reached out and grabbed his cuff tightly, her fingertips turning white from the force, her nails almost digging into the expensive fabric of his suit.

Tears streamed down her face as she pleaded with him, her voice choked with sobs.

"Adrian, don’t go. Let me finish what I have to say."

"I know you’re angry right now, that you have a misunderstanding about me, but are you really going to turn a blind eye to all the years we’ve had together? My feelings for you have never been fake. I truly love you."

Adrian Lancaster glanced down, his eyes showing not a ripple of emotion, as cold and devoid of warmth as winter ice.

He didn’t turn around. The air around him remained heavy and intimidating. In fact, the restrained pressure was even more suffocating than his relentless advance had been moments ago.

"Let go."

His thin lips parted, and the two words he uttered held no emotion, their flat tone carrying an authority that brooked no argument.

"I won’t!" Claire Bennett’s body stiffened. She bit her lip and cried even harder.

"If you don’t believe me, I won’t let you go. Adrian, give me one more chance. I’m begging you, don’t do this to me..."

She begged with the utmost humility, but her mind was racing. ’As long as she could keep Adrian here, as long as she could make him drop his suspicions, it would be worth sacrificing all her pride and dignity.’

Adrian Lancaster’s brow furrowed slightly, a flash of utter disgust in his eyes. He mercilessly shook off Claire Bennett’s hand. The force wasn’t great, but it conveyed complete detachment and finality.

Already distraught, Claire Bennett was thrown off balance. She stumbled back a couple of steps, her back hitting the cold wall hard. She winced, but the ache in her heart was far worse.

’This was the third time Adrian Lancaster had pushed her tonight.’

"Adrian, do you have to be so heartless?"

"I already gave you a chance." Adrian Lancaster’s voice was low and frigid, each word crystal clear. "You’re the one who didn’t cherish it. Since you insist on hiding the truth to the very end, there’s no need to say another word."

"From now on, stop bothering my family and me with your pathetic schemes."

His tone was firm, completely severing any lingering affection from the past and extinguishing Claire Bennett’s last sliver of hope.

With that, he walked straight to the door, his back ramrod straight and resolute, leaving no room for a second glance.

BANG! The door slammed shut.

All the strength drained from Claire Bennett’s body. She slowly slid down the wall to the floor, the tears in her eyes finally real, filled not with pretense, but with utter despair and resentment.

’Such a perfect opportunity tonight, and she had failed to win Adrian Lancaster over.’

She hated her own incompetence, but she hated his heartlessness even more.

Outside the door, once Adrian Lancaster had left the room, his expression was one of deep calculation and cold severity.

He glanced at the room across the hall, took out his phone, and dialed a number.

The moment the call connected, he lowered his voice and issued his orders.

"Claire Bennett is Maya Marshall. From now on, keep her under twenty-four-hour surveillance. Don’t let her leave Aston."

He paused, a cold glint in his eyes. "Pay close attention to her contact with the outside world, especially any overseas calls."

"Use the Marshall family’s network to investigate the whereabouts of Laura Lawson, the wife of the driver who caused the accident. Even if she’s changed her name and her face, her DNA won’t have changed. You must find her and bring her back to Aston. I want to see her."

"Yes, President Lancaster." The subordinate’s respectful and crisp reply came from the other end of the line.

Adrian Lancaster said no more and hung up.

He stood at the end of the hallway, gazing out the window at the oppressive darkness, his entire presence exuding a frigid air.

’He had expected Claire Bennett’s refusal to confess.’

’Since the soft approach hadn’t worked, he would use the most direct method: dig up every single one of her crimes.’