Claudia hurried downstairs and into the garden. When she opened the front gate, she was met by Zaria, holding a large bouquet of roses. What was going on now?

Zaria thrust the bouquet into Claudia's arms, her voice thick with determination. "Cece, don't be sad. I'll take you out and have fun! That jerk doesn't deserve a second of sorrow from you!"

As she finished her tirade, she spotted the jerk, Bennett, who was slowly approaching them.

“Why is he here?"

“Miss Santiago, why so surprised? This is my villa. If I'm not here, where else should I be?"

Unperturbed, Zaria shot back, "Hotels. I think you're quite fond of hotels, aren't you?"

She snorted derisively. "Cece, don't worry. If you want a divorce, I'll be your support!"

Claudia's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Zaria might have been a staunch ally, but her intelligence in this matter seemed to be Lacking.

Bennett had already advanced, reaching out to grasp Claudia's hand, and pulled her to his side. "Our relationship is quite harmonious. Don't trouble yourself over it, Miss Santiago.”

With that, he tossed the bouquet of roses from Claudia‘s hand back into Zaria's arms.

“Miss Santiago, since you seem keen on disrupting my marriage, perhaps you should invest this energy into choosing a suitable man for yourself. It would be unfortunate if you ended up marrying a jerk Later on."

The words stung, dripping with sarcasm,

When Zaria drew breath to retort, the iron gate in front of her slammed shut with a deafening clang.

“Bennett, open this gate! Explain everything to Cece while I'm here!" Claudia's heart quivered at the sound of the gate's closing.

“Wasn't that a bit rude?"

"She arrived to incite you to divorce me. Is that not rude?"

Bennett's tone was even, but Claudia sensed an undercurrent of anger.

“Are you angry?”

"No." His denial was immediate, his face impassive.

Claudia glanced at her hand, still held in his, and a strange happiness welled within her.

Outside, Zaria was still insistently ringing the doorbell. Claudia turned, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Miss Santiago acted out of concern."

She only wanted to ease Claudia's distress.

After leading Claudia back into the villa, Bennett released her hand and changed the subject.