Chapter 10

Liam and Claire had been married for three years. He knew exactly how to ignite her desire in an instant.

In the dimly lit, dilapidated hallway, their bodies became entwined.

They had both received elite education from a young age. Claire was a refined lady from a prestigious family, while Liam, a man of his standing, was notoriously particular about his surroundings to the point of being somewhat obsessive.

Yet at this moment, he couldn't suppress the desires raging within him.

All he wanted was to see her break down, to have her sobbing in his arms, calling his name in a weak, hoarse voice...

Claire was on the verge of breaking down. "It's not what you think," she said, her voice trembling, which only stirred the desire rising within Liam. Every tiny struggle she made was forcefully suppressed by him. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, "Do you know who he is?"

"Didn't you notice he resembles me in some ways? What? Are you looking for a substitute?"

He was all too familiar with her body, his flirting skills impeccable.

Claire wept softly.

Liam pressed against her, the sweat-soaked strands of her hair brushing against him, his gaze fixed and devoid of warmth. Claire leaned against his shoulder. Her delicate skin looked fair against his black shirt. Her body still buzzed with lingering sensations, but her mind was clear.

She was certain Liam held a grudge against Colin. She didn't dwell on the reasons. At that moment, just managing Liam's fury was enough to drain her.

Silence stretched between them.

Liam cast her a sidelong glance, letting out a scoff. After all, he was a wealthy heir, picky by nature, and didn't want to be stuck in this rundown, filthy environment for a second longer. Once his anger had subsided slightly, he lifted Claire into the car parked in the alley.

The luxurious black Bentley stood in stark contrast to the dilapidated surroundings.

Liam turned on the air conditioning and watched her straighten her clothes. In truth, he wasn't in a good place either. Since Claire had initiated the divorce, his body had long been left unsatisfied. Just the sight of her tempting figure was enough to set him ablaze with desire, but the thought that Claire hadn't taken contraception and that he didn't have condoms in the car held him back from giving in to his desires.

After Claire adjusted her clothing, her mood finally settled down.

She pondered Liam's feelings. It wasn't hard to guess. He was simply uncomfortable with the idea of his still-married wife getting too close to another man.

She was sure his current anger had nothing to do with love.

As for their prior intimacy in the stairwell, Claire felt only embarrassment.

She deliberately teased him, "Liam, are you jealous?"

Liam reached out, gently brushing her delicate cheek, sneering, "Do you really think I'd like you? I'm just reminding you that you're still Mrs. Coleman. Don't associate with unrelated men."

Claire's smile faded further. "So it's okay for you to fool around with other women, right?"

Liam's gaze deepened.

He wasn't particularly invested in Sophie. Most of the time, Joanne handled her affairs. Occasionally, when he was in Hellington on business, he'd stop by to see Sophie.

But he didn't feel the need to explain this to Claire.

He thought his outburst today stemmed from his dissatisfaction with Colin, rather than any lingering feelings for Claire.

Liam shifted to a more comfortable position.

Claire, however, wanted out of the car. As soon as she moved, Liam held her hand down. "Wait a minute."

Then he took out a pack of cigarettes, pulled one out, and lit it.

Soon, thin wisps of smoke filled the car.

Liam glanced at Claire.

His expression was familiar to her. It was the same stoic look he wore during business dealings, devoid of any emotion.

After finishing a cigarette, Liam pulled a platinum card from his wallet and handed it to Claire. "This is my supplementary card. The monthly limit is two million. If you need more, just let Joanne know."

Claire stared at the card, feeling a pang of emotion.

This was what she had once hoped for, a sign of his kindness. After the Smith family fell, she desperately needed money, so even though she felt humiliated, she accepted the hundred thousand he sent her each month.

But now, she was acutely aware of what accepting this card would mean.

Once she accepted it, it would mean returning to being Mrs. Coleman, catering to his every need as she once did, transforming herself into what he found satisfactory, satisfying all his desires in bed, and accompanying him to various events. She would merely be a beautiful, obedient, and soulless trophy wife.

That was all Liam wanted.

Claire refused the card.

Gripping the car door, she spoke softly, "Liam, it's all too late. You still don't understand why I want a divorce."

The car fell into darkness.

Liam pressed a button, illuminating the interior.

The light felt blinding to Claire, and she instinctively shut her eyes.

Liam toyed with the card, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he spoke up, "Are you talking about feelings? Claire, do you really think we could ever develop genuine feelings for each other? Don't forget how our marriage began."

His expression turned cold. "Don't covet what doesn't belong to you."

Claire was too tired to explain anymore.

Her expression was weary. "And what about your feelings for Sophie? Liam, if you care about her so much, why not marry her? We're adults. Even though we had sex back then, you didn't need to marry me. Isn't it better now that we're getting a divorce?" she said softly.

She was exhausted from their entangled emotions.

"This is what's best for both of us."

With that, she opened the car door and left without looking back.

Liam didn't stop her.

He sat expressionless in the car. After a moment, he lazily reached up and turned off the overhead light. Before the darkness enveloped him, his gaze lingered on Claire's resolute figure.

Liam recalled what had just transpired between them in the hallway.

He sensed that Claire seemed different. She had appeared indifferent, after all. Otherwise, how could she leave so decisively?

Leaning back in his seat, he rubbed his temples.

He was ambitious in his career, unlike other men who might engage with other women. He didn't love Claire, yet she was beautiful and obedient, which naturally kept his attention away from other women.

Now, he hadn't expected that a wife unwilling to come home would leave him feeling so unsettled.