Chapter 147: I Really Like This Face of Yours

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: I Really Like This Face of Yours

Felix Warren toyed with the silver pendant around his neck. He took the statement from Victor Warren and dangled it leisurely in front of Claire Kendall.

"Auntie, if this gets out, my dear uncle will be well and truly finished."

A smirk played on his lips. "But I’m not an unreasonable person. After all, seeing you with those red eyes... it’s just heartbreaking."

Claire Kendall’s back went rigid. She bit her lip, glaring at him.

"What do you want?"

"Simple." He pointed toward the family chapel. "Go kneel before the Warren family ancestors for two days and two nights. Grandfather hasn’t been well lately because of what my uncle did. You’re going to pray for him, earnestly."

Louis Warren set down his teacup and nodded with composure.

Claire Kendall’s nails dug into her palm, breaking the skin. The pain was the only thing keeping her grounded.

She didn’t hesitate. "I’ll kneel."

Felix Warren’s eyes lit up. He tossed the document back onto the coffee table. "You’re so agreeable, Auntie. Let’s go. I need to supervise you properly."

Felix Warren turned and shot Victor Warren a knowing smile.

The Warren Family Chapel.

It was located in the furthest corner of the east wing, where ancient trees blotted out the sun, keeping the area in a state of perpetual, damp cold.

The altar was lined with the family’s memorial tablets, incense sticks glowing and fading in the gloom.

’Was this where they were going to make Miles Warren kneel, that time he was late for their wedding announcement? To think that after everything, she would be the one to enter first.’

Felix Warren stepped inside first. He grabbed a porcelain cup from the altar and smashed it on the ground. Sharp fragments scattered, glinting coldly.

He nudged the shards with the toe of his shoe. "Kneel here."

His smile was vicious. "If you’re praying for Grandfather’s health, it’s not very sincere without a little blood, is it, Auntie?"

Claire Kendall stared down at the shards, her lips trembling.

"What’s with that look? You don’t want to?" Felix Warren sighed. "Oh well. I guess I’ll just send this statement out, then."

"Don’t..." Claire frantically reached for him.

Felix Warren’s hand closed over hers. "Heh. So fair, so delicate."

Claire Kendall yanked her hand back and dropped straight to her knees.

The porcelain shards tore through the fabric of her pants and dug into her flesh. An intense pain shot from her knees down to her calves, but she gritted her teeth and didn’t make a sound.

Seeing her bleed, Felix Warren’s pupils dilated with excitement.

"That’s more like it, Auntie. Does it hurt? Why aren’t you crying? A pretty face like yours looks best with tears."

He reached for her chin, but she jerked her head away.

"So tough, aren’t you?" Felix Warren squatted down to meet her gaze. "I like your face. You could say it was love at first sight."

"Why don’t you leave him for me? Once I take over the Warren Group, you’ll be set for life."

Claire Kendall closed her eyes, refusing to look at him.

’The more she resisted, the more this pervert would enjoy it. The best thing to do was ignore him.’

Felix Warren stood up, planted a hand on her shoulder, and forcefully pressed her down.

A fresh wave of agony shot through her numb knees.

"Auntie, do you think Miles Warren is suffering in prison? Killing a child... everyone must be cursing his name, don’t you think?"

"And you know, if he knew you were kneeling here for him... wouldn’t his heart just break? HAHA!"

At the mention of Miles Warren, her mind filled with his face.

The tears she had held back all night finally escaped, rolling down her cheeks.

"Crying?" Felix Warren was ecstatic, as if witnessing something beautiful. He held out his palm to catch a tear.

Suddenly, a loud BANG came from the chapel door.

The heavy wooden door was kicked open from the outside, the force of the blow rattling the memorial tablets on the altar.

Miles Warren stood silhouetted in the doorway.

His expression was obscured, but the aura radiating from him was terrifying.

His gaze fell on Claire. He saw the glaring patch of red on her legs, the blood-stained shards, and the way Felix Warren was touching her.

The man’s pupils contracted. He advanced step by step, a near-maniacal fury churning in his eyes.

It was a look Claire had never seen on him before.

In silence, he grabbed Claire’s arm and pulled her to her feet.

"Well, hello. This must be my dear uncle—" Felix Warren’s words turned into a choked cry.

Miles Warren had him by the collar, hauling him to his feet.

A single punch sent Felix Warren flying backward into the wall. A tooth came loose, and blood sprayed from his nose, instantly turning his gaudy shirt into a bloody rag.

"Miles!" Claire grabbed his arm.

He gently pushed her hand away, giving it a reassuring pat.

Miles Warren’s hair was damp. He unbuttoned his collar and rolled up his sleeves as he advanced, revealing his strong forearms.

"You dare hit me? I’m..."

Miles Warren’s lips tightened into a thin line. ’In this rotten family, he could endure things. He could play along, pretend everything was fine. He could choose not to fight for anything.’

’But there was one condition: no one touched Claire.’

He grabbed Felix Warren’s arm. Despite being over six feet tall, Felix was dragged along like a helpless chick.

With a flick of his wrist, he slammed Felix Warren down onto the pile of porcelain shards.

"AHH!!"

Felix Warren let out a bloodcurdling scream. His back and face were a bloody, mangled mess, a truly gruesome sight.

Hearing the commotion, Victor Warren rushed in and ordered his bodyguards to intervene.

But they couldn’t budge Miles, and were met with a few punches for their trouble.

If this kept up, someone was going to get killed.

"Miles!" Claire threw her arms around him. The man’s arm froze in mid-air.

"That’s enough. Stop."

"I’m okay, Miles. I’m okay..." Claire held on to him, repeating that she was fine over and over until he was sure she was safe, and his sanity slowly returned.

Her voice was choked with sobs. "How are you back? Is everything cleared up?"

"Yes." Miles nodded. "Let’s go home."

Victor Warren wanted to stop them, but seeing Felix, who was beaten half to death, he had no choice but to let them go and call for someone to take his son to the hospital.

’I can’t believe that little bastard Miles has such powerful connections. To get released on bail so quickly for something this major...’

’But this beating won’t be for nothing.’ He gave a cold smirk and immediately went to find Louis Warren.

Miles carried Claire into their home at Regency Gardens. He knelt by the sofa and began to treat her wounds.

His hair was a mess, and his shirt was hopelessly wrinkled. His hands and clothes were stained with blood—it was impossible to tell whose.

"I’m going to take a shower. If you don’t feel well, just call out. I’ll take you to the hospital."

"It doesn’t hurt anymore. They’re just surface wounds." Claire looked at him, feeling as though none of this was real.

She subconsciously reached for the hem of his shirt.

"What’s wrong?" Miles turned back.

She quickly let go. "Nothing."

Steam filled the bathroom.

Miles stood under the shower, his head bowed. Hot water streamed over his neck and down the lines of his torso.

CLICK.

With a soft click, the bathroom door was pushed open a crack.

A slender, pale arm reached through the opening.

A moment later, Claire slipped through the gap.

Her thin silk dress, instantly dampened by the steam, clung to her body, outlining her perfect, alluring figure.

Her hair was damp and her eyes were glistening, like a gardenia after a downpour.

Her scent instantly filled the steamy air.

She was barefoot, her toes curling and uncurling on the wet tiles, her eyes fixed on him—on his naked form.

"Claire..." Miles’s voice was a hoarse, indulgent rasp. "Get out."

Her voice was a whisper. "I want to watch you."