Claudia buried her face in her hands and

Claudia was brimming with such exhilaration that the embrace of slumber eluded her!

Involuntarily, she yearned to reach for her phone, eager to share her elation with Aurora. Yet, after a moment's fumbling, she recollected that her phone now resided in Bennett's chamber.

Should she retrieve it?

Could she boldly venture into his room?

Would he let her go this time if she came back to his room?

Maybe it didn't really matter. After all, which couple slumbered apart? After wrestling restlessly beneath her covers, Claudia steeled herself and emerged from her cozy cocoon to reclaim her phone.

Approaching the entrance of the master bedroom, she found the door firmly shut.

Ordinarily, Bennett would indulge in a shower at this hour.

If she were to retrieve her phone whilst he showered, he'd remain none the wiser, wouldn't he?

Oh, what cleverness she possessed!

Claudia basked in the glory of her cunning scheme.

But in the very next instant, her elation waned as she encountered a locked door.

She was rendered speechless

Whom was he guarding against?

Certainly not against her, or so she presumed.

The corners of Claudia's mouth twitched, sensing a pinch of bitterness. She lingered at the threshold for a brief moment before mustering the courage to knock on the door.

After a series of knocks, Bennett swung the door ajar, standing before her with damp hair and his robe askew.

Under normal circumstances, Claudia might have seized the opportunity to admire the view.

Yet, tonight, she dared not gaze in his direction.

Instead, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye, and then quickly averted her gaze as she stuttered, “I... It appears my phone was left in your room."

His intense eyes bore into her, their subtle movements betraying his thoughts. He Loosened his grip on the doorknob and gestured for her to enter.

Claudia stole one more fleeting glance at him before stepping inside. With a soft click, as the door sealed shut behind her, her heart quivered,

She pivoted gracefully, her gaze settling upon the man who had recently emerged from a steamy shower, his virility palpable.