Chapter 605: The Truth About Ethan's Mother's Death
Bradley's screams bounced off the walls of the deserted building. He kept blacking out, only to be yanked back to consciousness by the searing pain.
Flat on the ground, hands shaking like leaves, he knew no one was coming to save his sorry ass.
Born a bastard, he had no dad and his life was one nightmare after another.
His life was always a dumpster fire. He was never meant to see the light of day, and he knew he wouldn't find redemption before it all went up in flames.
"Send this to Howard; let him see his own flesh and blood."
Claire was chilling on the couch with a face mask on when Howard barged in with his goons.
Claire was ready and sneered. "Howard, you are home, what's with the drama?"
"Cut the crap, Claire. Did you have Bradley snatched? Let him go, or else..." Howard's voice was dripping with venom, ready to tear Claire apart.
"What? I don't get it." Claire played dumb and said again, "Howard, what are you talking about? Seriously, I don't get it."
Howard's fists were clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. "Claire!"
Claire laughed and had her bodyguards step up. "Howard, did something happen to your precious son? Serves him right."
"Claire, what do you want for Bradley's release?" Howard asked, barely keeping his rage in check.
Claire was fearless, holding all the Harper family's dirt and Howard's secrets in her hands.
"I'll give you time to think. Tomorrow morning, at the company board meeting, transfer all your shares to Daniel. You've seen how hard Daniel's been busting his ass all these years!" Claire was losing it, refusing to back down.
She was done playing nice.
Daniel had been grinding from a young age to earn Howard's trust.
"Claire, you're something else." Howard's voice was a low growl. "You better make sure Bradley doesn't lose a single hair, or else..."
"Or else what? You'd do anything for your son. So would I! If it comes to it, we'll go down swinging!" Claire sneered.
Did he really think she was still the pushover Claire from back in the day?
"Fine, whatever. I'll give the shares to Daniel. After tomorrow's meeting, I better see Bradley." Howard spat and stormed out.
Claire's eyes welled up as she slumped on the couch, ripping off her face mask and tossing it in the trash.
"Howard actually has feelings." Claire muttered through gritted teeth.
In her mind, Howard was a cold-blooded, heartless bastard, a madman without emotions, even towards his own son.
It turned out he wasn't completely dead inside; he had given his love and fatherly affection to Bradley and Leah.
How freaking ironic.
After Howard left, Claire had someone drive her to the abandoned building.
Bradley had already passed out and was jolted awake by a splash of water.
His hands were mangled, and when Bradley woke up, his face was ghostly pale.
Claire kicked Bradley. "Howard's golden boy."
Bradley looked at Claire's twisted face and managed a weak smile. "You're doing this 'cause you know Dad won't call the cops and make a scene."
Claire snorted. "You're pretty sharp, but too bad, I can't let you live."
She had to make sure Bradley was a goner.
Bradley seemed to have seen it coming. "Before I kick the bucket, can I ask you something?"
Claire sat in a chair, looking down at him. "Shoot."
"What dirt do you have on Dad? I'm dying to know." Bradley was asking for Ethan.
Claire sneered. "Man, you sure are nosy."
Bradley, barely hanging on, muttered, "I'm about to bite the dust. At least let me know why. Even though you offed my mom, Dad doesn't dare whisper your name to the cops."
Claire chuckled. "You're right. I had your mom taken out, and you'll be next."
"As for Howard," Claire figured Bradley was on his last legs, so spilling the beans didn't matter. "I got proof of Howard committing murder."
"Murder? No way. My old man wouldn't hurt a fly." Bradley tried to rile her up.
Claire laughed like she just heard the funniest joke. "Wouldn't he? Let me tell you, Howard iced Ethan's mom himself. He paid off the maid close to her and Larry, an ex-employee of the Douglas family, to mess with her meds. The maid, who was shacking up with Howard, smothered Ethan's mom with a pillow when she was out cold from the drugs."
Bradley stared at Claire, stunned, like he couldn't believe his ears.
"Did you know? Ethan's mom had been on meds for years and had built up some resistance. She woke up during the attack and fought back, calling out Howard's name, hoping he'd save her. But instead, Howard saw the maid struggling and jumped in to finish the job."
Claire got up and walked over to Bradley. "Ethan's mom scratched like crazy at first, but when she grabbed Howard's arm, she suddenly stopped fighting. She realized it was her own husband who wanted her dead."
Bradley's whole body shook, and he struggled, his eyes blazing. "You're lying. This is all BS. My dad wouldn't kill anyone!"
Bradley gasped for air and kept pushing Claire. "You're lying. You got no proof. You got nothing. Just 'cause you say so, I won't buy it, and neither will the cops!"
Claire laughed. "You wanna know how I know all this so well? 'Cause I was there, secretly recording it with my phone. Even though the phone's resolution sucked back then, the footage is crystal clear."
Bradley took a deep breath. No wonder Howard was so scared of Claire.
She had him by the balls with that evidence.
"You're lying. I don't believe you. I don't." Bradley shook his head.
He needed to find out where Claire stashed the evidence.
"Believe it or not, you're a dead man walking." Claire signaled her goons. "Don't let him croak too soon. Keep him alive until Howard hands over the shares tomorrow. Then finish him off and deliver his body to Howard."
Claire's voice dripped with venom.
Bradley fought like a madman. "You're lying. You say you got a video, but I don't believe you. Show me the video."
Of course, Claire wouldn't show Bradley the video, but in her eyes, he was already a goner.
"The video's with me. No one else knows where it is, but if I kick the bucket, it'll definitely get out."
Bradley forced himself to stay calm.
Claire had the smoking gun Ethan needed, and only she knew where it was. She hinted that if anything happened to her, the evidence would be released, meaning she had someone trustworthy holding onto it.
So, Ethan just needed to dig into the people close to Claire or anyone she had financial dealings with over the years.
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