Chapter 2

Three days later, Liam returned to Beach Port.

In the evening, as dusk settled, a shiny black limousine slowly drove into the villa and came to a stop.

The chauffeur opened the car door.

Liam got out and closed the rear door behind him. When he saw the chauffeur reaching for the luggage, he said calmly, "I'll take it up myself."

As soon as he entered the hall, a servant greeted him. "Madam’s father had an incident a few days ago. Madam is in a bad mood and is upstairs now."

Liam was already aware of the Smith family's situation.

Feeling somewhat annoyed, he carried his luggage upstairs and pushed open the bedroom door to find Claire sitting at her dressing table, organizing items.

Liam set down his luggage, loosened his tie, and sat on the edge of the bed, observing his wife.

Since their marriage, Claire had always enjoyed doing household chores, organizing things, and making small snacks. If it weren't for her stunning looks and figure, Liam would have thought of her as just a housemaid.

For a long while, Claire didn't speak.

Liam was also tired from his business trip. Seeing that she wasn't speaking, he didn't feel like talking either. He went into the dressing room to get a bathrobe and headed to the shower. While showering, he thought that with Claire's meek nature, by the time he finished his shower, she would probably have calmed down and started unpacking his luggage for him, continuing to be an obedient wife.

He was so sure.

So when he walked out of the bathroom and found his suitcase still in its original place, he felt it was necessary to have a talk with her.

Liam sat on the sofa and casually picked up a magazine.

After a while, he looked up at her and said, "How is your father's condition? About that night... I've already reprimanded Joanne."

His tone was casual and insincere.

Claire put down what she was holding and looked at him through the mirror.

In the mirror, Liam's features were handsome and noble.

Even in a bathrobe, he looked better than others.

Claire stared at him for a long time until her eyes felt sore. Finally, she said calmly, "Liam, let's get a divorce."

Liam was visibly taken aback.

He knew Claire must have been upset about that night. Later on, when he learned about the incident with the Smith family, he immediately sent Joanne to the hospital. But Claire hadn't accepted his kindness.

This was her first time defying him. She had always been so compliant before.

Liam turned slightly to take a cigarette box from the coffee table. He shook out a cigarette and lit it.

After a moment, thin smoke slowly exhaled from his lips.

He spoke coldly, "A few days ago, you said you wanted to go out to work. Just after a few days, you're talking about divorce."

"Have you been Mrs. Coleman for too long and now want to experience life?"

"Claire, go out and see how many people out there work overtime for just a few thousand dollars while having to deal with others' attitudes. You live in this 2000-square-meter villa as Mrs. Coleman. What more could you be dissatisfied with?"

His tone was heartless, and his words were cutting.

Claire finally couldn't hold back anymore. She trembled as she smiled bitterly, "Mrs. Coleman? Is there any wife as pathetic as I am?"

She suddenly stood up and pulled Liam into the dressing room, yanking open a cabinet door with a loud noise.

Inside was an entire row of jewelry cabinets, all locked with passwords.

Claire didn't know the passwords. These were managed by Joanne.

Pointing at them, she said with self-mocking sarcasm, "Is there any wife who needs to report to her husband's secretary just to use a piece of jewelry? Any wife who has to submit an application form to her husband's secretary for every penny spent? Any wife who doesn't even have a cab fare when going out? Liam, tell me, is this how Mrs. Coleman should be?"

"Yes, my family has lost its influence. And you’ll give me ten thousand dollars each month."

"But every time I take that check, I feel like a cheap woman being rewarded after being used!"

Liam coldly interrupted her, "Is that what you think?"

He gently pinched her chin, "Is there any woman like you who doesn't know how to please men? You can't even moan properly. You just hum like a little kitten! Want a divorce? Do you think you'll have any kind of life after leaving me?"

Claire felt pain from his grip and tried to push him away.

In the next second, Liam grabbed her hand and stared coldly at her empty ring finger, questioning,"Where is your wedding ring?"

"I sold it!"

Claire's voice was filled with sorrow as she continued, "So Liam, let's get divorced!"

This sentence almost drained all her strength. Liam was the man she had loved for six years. If it weren't for that night, if she hadn't seen those fireworks and his gentle gaze towards Sophie, perhaps she would have continued to bind herself in this loveless marriage for many years.

But she had seen them. She didn't want to live with him anymore.

Maybe life after divorce would be harder. Maybe she'd face scorn for just a few thousand dollars as Liam said, but she wouldn't regret it.

After finishing speaking, Claire gently withdrew her hand.

She pulled out a suitcase and began packing her things.

Liam's face turned grim as he watched her frail back. He had never imagined that Claire would one day rebel against him so decisively by asking for a divorce.

A nameless fire rose in his heart.

In the next second, Claire found herself lifted off the ground and thrown onto the bed by Liam.

His imposing body pressed down on hers.

His face was close to hers. Their eyes met, and their noses touched. Hot breaths mingled between them.

After a moment, he whispered into her ear, his voice carrying a warning, "Are you causing trouble because of Sophie? Claire, wouldn't it be better if you were honest? Didn't you scheme your way into becoming Mrs. Coleman? What? Don't want it anymore?"

Claire trembled beneath him.

Even now, he believed that what happened back then was her doing.

Perhaps because of their physical contact or maybe because of her vulnerable posture, whatever it was, Liam was turned on. His gaze darkened as he gripped her chin and kissed her while unbuttoning her silk nightgown with one hand.

Claire was beautiful, her body even more so.

If Liam didn't make love, it was one thing, but once he did, he would never be able to stop after just two or three times. He kissed her delicate neck, pinning her hands to her sides, their fingers interlocked.

He was always dominant in bed, and Claire often found it hard to resist, simply going along with his desires.

But now that they were about to get a divorce, how could he still act this way?

"No, Liam... Let me go..."

Claire's voice trembled, sounding particularly vulnerable on the bed. Her golden hair spilled across the pillow, making her look irresistibly beautiful.

Liam pressed against her soft, red lips, claiming her fiercely as he uttered degrading words, "We are still legally married. Why can't we? Every time we make love, you say no, yet you seem to enjoy it every time. Am I wrong? Hmm?"