Chapter 576: Howard is Going to Get Rid of Claire
That night, Howard got Claire outta the slammer.
On the ride back, Howard was dead silent.
Claire, though, was all smug, head held high, thinking Howard had no choice but to have her back now, no matter what.
Howard wanted her gone, but not locked up.
She flicked her hair, staring out the window like she owned the place.
Who'd have thought Howard could get scared?
"Ma'am, we're home," the assistant said.
He hopped out and opened the door for Claire, his face all serious, hinting she should calm Howard down. Now wasn't the time for their relationship to blow up; they could deal with Howard later, but first, she needed to get on his good side.
Claire got out, grumbling, and quickly followed Howard. "Howard, thanks a ton for this. I didn't think..."
A slap cut her off, smacking her hard across the face.
Claire was stunned, breathing heavy, glaring at Howard with pure hatred.
Howard's eyes were full of rage. "You reckless idiot, those two kids are still part of the Douglas family. I didn't even make a move, but you did."
Claire gritted her teeth, fists clenched, too scared to talk back.
The maid stayed quiet, and the assistant held back, leaving Claire to deal with it alone.
Because of their status difference, Howard couldn't take out his anger on Ethan's mom, but ever since marrying Claire, he'd been using her as his punching bag whenever things went south.
Over the years, Claire had taken a lot of his crap.
In the early days, she put up with it, but lately, she was done.
Claire gritted her teeth, staring at Howard, remembering every beating she'd taken over the years.
"You idiot, why did I ever pick you?" Howard paced back and forth. "If the Cunninghams cut ties with the Douglas Group, you're screwed, even if Daniel gets the Douglas Group!"
Claire clenched her fists, not arguing, 'cause Howard had a point.
"Useless," Howard spat, pointing right at her nose.
Claire's rage hit its peak, and she gritted her teeth. "How was I supposed to know those idiots would rat me out?"
Howard snorted. "Go change and clean up. We're going to the Cunningham family to apologize! If Cordelia doesn't forgive you, you'll kneel there until she does."
"Why should I?" Claire gritted her teeth.
Why should she apologize?
"Because of their current deal with the Raymond Group!" Howard laid it out.
If she wanted to win over the Raymond Group and get Brandon to help Daniel, she had to avoid pissing off the Cunninghams.
Even though it wasn't clear if the Cunninghams and Brandon were just business partners or had other ties, their big cooperation hinted at a complicated relationship.
Claire gritted her teeth and finally gave in, grudgingly changing her clothes in the bedroom and following Howard.
Howard glared at Claire like he wanted to kill her. If she wasn't representing the Douglas family, he would've done it right then.
As Claire left the house, she shot a look at the assistant. How much longer did she have to put up with this?
She wanted to kill Howard tonight.
The assistant signaled her to hang in there.
Claire didn't say a word and got in the car.
'Just a little longer.'
Cordelia sat pissed off on the sofa in the Cunningham mansion.
Edward and Nolan were back, sitting on either side of Cordelia, looking just as grim.
Claire must've had a death wish to mess with the Cunningham kids.
"Joe?" Edgar rushed in when he heard the news and hugged Joe tight.
Joe clung to Edgar, whispering, "Dad, Casey's uncle is a real jerk."
Edgar sneered. "Tomorrow, I'll go slash his tires."
"He had a car accident but didn't die," Ethan said flatly.
Edgar looked bummed. "What a shame."
"Howard said he's bringing Claire over to apologize." Cordelia looked at Jasmine. "Jasmine, what do you think?"
Jasmine shook her head. "I don't wanna see her. Let her stand outside the gate."
Cordelia nodded and signaled Larry to handle it.
Outside, Howard forced Claire to apologize, but Larry still wouldn't let her in.
"What's her deal? Why won't she let me in?" Claire, used to being all high and mighty, was fuming at being stopped.
"I heard Cordelia sponsored Brandon during his school years," Howard said casually, then turned and got back in the car.
Claire was itching to get shares of the Douglas Group, but Brandon was no pushover.
Howard said this on purpose to make Claire think twice.
Claire gritted her teeth and stood there waiting. "Please tell them this is all a misunderstanding. I'll wait here to see Cordelia."
Howard's car drove off, but his eyes stayed on Claire. "Keep an eye on her. Tonight, get rid of her."
"Yes, sir." The bodyguard in the passenger seat nodded.
The assistant, who was driving, tightened his grip on the steering wheel and took a deep breath.
Claire waited at the gate for three hours, her legs cramping, but no one came to see her.
It was past midnight, and the lights at the Cunningham mansion were off. Claire cursed and turned to leave, only to find that the driver had already left with Howard.
Cursing Howard, Claire called the driver, but his phone was off.
Furious, Claire cursed again, turned, and started walking, hoping to catch a cab.
But after a few steps, a black car sped towards her.
Claire screamed in terror, her face going pale, and she started to run.
The car chased her like a maniac.
Claire fell by the roadside, shouting for help. A black car screeched to a halt beside her, and the window rolled down. "Get in, quick!"
Panicked, Claire jumped in, breathing heavily, her heart racing. "Quick, drive!"
Mark, wearing a hat, mask, and sunglasses, turned the wheel and sped off.
The car that had tried to hit Claire stopped, watching her escape coldly. "Sir, someone came to save her."
Howard's voice was icy. "Keep looking for another chance."
"Yes."
The next morning at the Raymond Group, Brandon saw the elegantly dressed Claire walking towards him with a smile. "Mr. Russell, I've tried to meet you several times, and finally, here we are."
Claire didn't look great, with heavy eye shadow and lipstick barely holding her appearance together.
It was clear she hadn't slept well.
She'd been tormented by nightmares all night and had come to the Raymond Group early in the morning to wait for Brandon.
She needed to persuade Brandon to help Daniel get Howard's shares.
Only then could she move against Howard quickly.
If she delayed any longer, Howard might go completely nuts!
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