Chapter 39
Looking at Claire’s bloodstained face, Brian felt nothing but a growing irritation. There was no satisfaction from revenge, only an overwhelming sense of frustration.
His gaze was cold as ice, and his lips barely moved as he said, “Get out.”
Yet Claire seemed oblivious, continuing to bow her head in desperation. The rhythmic thumping of her forehead hitting the floor echoed like a heavy drum, pounding directly on Brian’s heart.
His temples throbbed with anger as he repeated, “I said, get out! Can’t you hear me?”
Claire’s mind was blank, her ears buzzing. She couldn’t hear anything around her, only the instinctive act of bowing and pleading remained.
With a stern expression, Brian strode forward, reaching out to lift the woman off the floor who was desperately begging.
Unexpectedly, as Brian’s hand reached towards her, Claire recoiled like a frightened bird, curling into a ball and covering her head with her arms. Through her tears, she pleaded, “Please, don’t hit me.”
In an instant, memories of being beaten in prison, the endless darkness and pain, flooded her mind, causing her to break down completely.
Brian’s eyes widened in shock, his hand suspended in mid–air, frozen for what felt like an eternity.
His gaze fell on Claire’s curled–up figure, a tangled mix of emotions washed over him, leaving him confused and conflicted.
For a brief moment, he saw the Claire of the past, the one who was innocent and full of laughter, her bright eyes sparkling like scattered stars.E
The first time he heard about her was from their teacher
The teacher had praised her without reservation, saying, “Brian, your strongest competitor in this year’s physics competition is Claire, a freshman from Cresthaven Academy. That girl is truly gifted.”
At sixteen, Brian was full of youthful defiance, thinking, “My talent is no less than hers.”
As the top student at Elite Crest High, he didn’t take Claire seriously until he lost to her in the competition. After that, it became an unstoppable chain of defeats.
And somehow, he found himself drawn to every competition she entered, determined to participate.!!
Over time, he couldn’t tell whether it was to prove himself or simply to see her.!!
Throughout high school, Claire consistently took first place, while he was second in every competition.
He still remembered their teacher’s words of admiration, “A genius like Claire is what our country needs. She’s destined to make significant contributions.
He had to admit, he agreed with that sentiment.
During their last competition, he had asked her if she was so committed to competitions to gain recognition from higher–ups.
She had replied, “Not at all. The prize money for winning is my motivation. My dream is to become a teacher, to educate and watch students grow into their potential. That’s where I find my worth.”
“You have so much talent; it’s a shame not to pursue research,” he had said.!!
She smiled and asked, “And what about you?“!!
“Me? I’m going back to take over the family business.“2
Claire had laughed, “With your talent, it’s also a pity you’re not going into research.“#”
They both chuckled, sharing a moment of understanding
At that time, Brian even felt relieved that Claire’s dream wasn’t to become a scientist. Otherwise, even as the heir to Cole Corporation, he would feel unworthy of her.
He had fiercely resisted his arranged marriage to Vanessa. Neither Vanessa nor the real heiress the Linwood family found interested him. It wasn’t until he saw Claire at Vanessa’s graduation party that he realized the girl he had been longing for was, in fact, the true heiress of the Linwood family.
Claire was the one originally promised to him from childhood.
