Gazing at the chiseled abs near her, Claudia felt a sudden thirst. She hastily raised her glass to her lips, gulping down a substantial amount of water, before uttering, "I'm just out for a walk."

"Oh, okay."

Without another word, Bennett spun around and leaped into the pool. The splash sent droplets of water onto the hem of her dress and the back of her feet.

The cool sensation contrasted sharply with the warmth spreading across her face.

Her eyes were drawn to Bennett as he glided back and forth across the pool, swimming freestyle. With every stroke, his muscles seemed to stand out even more.

Claudia's hand drifted to her slightly rounded belly, and then to her arm.

Could she... perhaps swim as well?

Naturally, she didn't actually want to swim at that moment. She simply found the idea of some exercise tempting.

Holding the glass, Claudia pretended to sip her water while her eyes remained fixed on Bennett. Before she knew it, she had drained the entire glass.

With the water gone and no more reason to stand there, Claudia made her way back to the villa, glass in hand.

Marcia, caught off guard by her appearance, asked, “Mrs. Dreskin, when did you return?”

Just as Claudia was about to reply that she'd been back for a while, Marcia added, "Mr. Dreskin seems to have gone swimming. Could you please let him know that dinner will be ready in twenty minutes?"

Claudia sighed.

“Alright.”

So it seemed she would have to return to the swimming pool.

After his swimming, Bennett must have felt tired, so he reclined against the swimming pool's edge for a breather.

Claudia approached and announced, “Marcia says dinner will be ready in twenty minutes.”

Bennett lifted his gaze to meet hers and replied, “Alright.”

Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Claudia sensed a hint of longing in his eyes.

She blinked her eyes and looked into his eyes again, which were as cold as usual.

Did she have a hallucination?

Claudia didn't dwell on it too long. It felt a tad awkward to be just staying there. Subconsciously, she lifted the glass in her hand, intending to take a sip of water, only to discover the glass was empty. Flustered, she stammered, “Then I'll head inside first."

Bennett's gaze was fixed on the water's surface as he answered indifferently, "Okay."

Squatting for those few moments, Claudia found herself without anything to help her stand. Rising, her vision swirled, and dizziness swept over her. Her hand flailed about, and she lost her grip on the glass.