Chapter 4
Adrian let out a careless laugh.
“Grandpa, you’re helping Claire lie to me now?
“She knew I wouldn’t listen, so she dragged you into it?
“Don’t worry about her. Whether her parents live or die has nothing to do with me.
“I’m busy. If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”
Richard’s voice thundered.
“What are you talking about? The people who died were your parents!”
Adrian went silent for a split second.
Then Vanessa’s voice cut in, light and playful.
“Adrian, hurry up. I lost again. You owe me a drink, mouth to mouth.”
His attention snapped right back to her.
“Coming.”
Then, into the phone, impatient, “Grandpa, I’ll talk to you later.”
Click.
The call ended.
Richard seemed to age years in an instant.
But the pressure around him only grew heavier.
“Claire,” he said quietly, “we’ll handle the funeral together.”
“As for Adrian… I’ll deal with him.
“I’ll make sure he shows up.
“And anyone responsible for this will pay.”
I arranged everything.
And had the divorce papers sent to Adrian.
On the day of the funeral, a message came in.
[Claire, you actually got Grandpa to force me to attend? And even dragged the military into investigating the rescue?
Withdraw it. Now.
Or don’t blame me for what happens next.]
I ignored it.
Focused on the funeral hall.
Checked everything, one last time.
Then I personally placed the two medals beside their portraits, and bowed three times.
Suddenly, chaos erupted outside.
A group of people stormed in.
They smashed everything in sight.
Red paint splattered across the memorial photos before they were ripped down.
The urns shattered on the ground.
I tried to stop them, but it was like trying to hold back a storm.
By the time they left, everything was destroyed.
Guests arriving at the scene froze in shock.
And then, Adrian walked in.
Vanessa at his side.
Both dressed like they were heading to a party.
He looked around at the wreckage, and smiled.
“Claire, you insisted I come.”
“So I brought you a little gift. Well? Happy?”
My entire body trembled.
Did he even understand what he had done?
“Adrian Cole… Mom and Dad were first-class national heroes. How dare you?”
He scoffed.
“Your parents? Just two money-grubbing businessmen.
“Vanessa couldn’t even get a second-class medal. And you’re telling me they earned a first-class one?”
I picked up the medals from the floor and shoved them in front of him.
“Look carefully, Adrian.
“These are your parents’ medals.
“They were the ones you were supposed to rescue.
“If you hadn’t abandoned them, they wouldn’t be dead.”
He froze.
“What are you talking about…? That’s impossible.”
Vanessa slapped my hand away.
The medals hit the ground with a sharp clang.
She sneered.
“Now you’re faking military medals too?
“Your parents? Honors? Please. They’d be lucky not to get arrested for tax evasion.”
Something inside me snapped.
I raised my hand, and slapped her.
Hard.
Adrian immediately pulled her into his arms.
He turned to me, fury exploding across his face. I slapped him too.
His expression twisted.
His hand shot up, ready to strike back.
And then, two cold voices cut through the air.
“Adrian Cole.
“Try laying a hand on our daughter.”
He turned.
And went completely still.
My parents had arrived.
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