The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 287

"But you don't have to worry about paying him back anymore. If you have any shred of humanity left, just disappear. He can't take it anymore. He's completely broken!"

"Jared, I..."

Claire's fingers trembled around her phone, her voice shattering in the downpour.

Her throat tightened. Before she could offer any explanation, Jared hung up.

She stood paralyzed at the hospital entrance.

She didn't understand anything Jared had said. What had happened? In just a single day, everything had been flipped upside down.

She had to find Miles and clear things up.

Just as Claire was about to hail a cab to Jared's apartment, her phone rang frantically. It was Betty.

"Claire, it's a disaster!"

"The machines at the Westside Manufacturing Plant exploded! The factory caught fire, and all our fabrics burned to ash!"

Claire's pupils constricted. "What about the people? Is anyone hurt?"

"Professor Reed... he was there for an inspection and got trapped inside! The fire department is there, but the blaze is too huge..." Betty's voice trembled, bordering on a sob.

"I'm... I'm on my way," Claire forced the words out through gritted teeth.

She got into a car and rushed straight to the Westside Factory. On the way, she frantically texted Jared.

"Jared, I know you're furious, but I never intended to string Miles along. You've completely misunderstood the situation. There's been an explosion at the Westside Factory. Lives are on the line, and as the boss, I have to be there. Please take care of Miles for me. I will come back as soon as possible to explain everything to him face-to-face."

The message sent, but she received no reply.

At the Westside Factory, flames roared into the sky.

The explosion was far worse than Claire had anticipated.

Despite the torrential rain, thick plumes of black smoke choked the sky. The fire showed no signs of dying down, and the entire compound was in absolute chaos.

Claire jumped out of the car, ignoring the umbrella, and sprinted toward the scene. A barricade of staff members was huddled outside.

Hearing his name made Claire's nose sting, her throat constricting painfully.

"I'm just glad you're safe, Professor. He... he's not petty. He won't be angry."

Quentin chuckled, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.

"I wouldn't be so sure. After all, the boy audited my classes for two solid years without missing a single day, just for you. With that kind of dedication, his feelings for you are anything but ordinary."

Claire stiffened, her head snapping up in sheer disbelief.

"Professor, you must be mistaken. He did that for a girl named Lauren..."

Quentin looked confused. "But I've never had a student named Lauren."

"I think you might have gotten your wires crossed, my dear."

"That blue diamond ring you wore at the seminar... I was chatting with an old buddy who loves jewelry, and he told me it was a priceless piece auctioned from a South African museum. The buyer had it custom engraved right then and there. It has your initials."

In that split second, something exploded in Claire's mind.