Bennett idly swirled his wine. “I don't, actually. Why did you choose to marry me?"

Caught off guard, Claudia hesitated. The words were Lodged in her throat. Looking into his piercing gaze, Claudia declared, “Anthony abandoned the wedding because of Delilah, leaving me humiliated. He didn't stick around even after I was in a car accident. My decision to marry you was driven by revenge."

At this, Claudia paused, observing Bennett. Noticing no change in his demeanor, she pressed on, "I also hoped that by marrying you, I could detach myself from Anthony completely.”

“So you're exploiting me."

Suddenly, Bennett leaned forward, drawing himself closer to Claudia.

Pausing mere inches away from her face, he asked, “Do you know why I agreed to marry you?"

Claudia instinctively recoiled.

As she shifted backwards, she lost balance, falling back onto the bed.

The glass in her hand tipped over, spilling the red wine onto her chest area.

A hush filled the room, thick with discomfort. Claudia’s embarrassment was palpable, a new depth she'd never experienced.

Feeling her cheeks flush, she propped herself up on the bed, stammering, "Mr. Dreskin, I do apologize. I Lost my balance just now."

Bennett studied her, a myriad of emotions swirling within his ebony eyes. "Shall you bathe first?"

Summer held Linmarsh in its warm grasp. Due to a wounded leg, Claudia found solace in wearing dresses each day.

Today was no different. She adorned herself in a chiffon dress, enjoying its softness and comfort.

However, the chiffon dress now bore the mark of spilled red wine, adding a Layer of discomfort to Claudia's predicament. The fabric clung damply to her chest, revealing the contours of her undergarment, presenting her in an alluring light.

With her cheeks aflame, Claudia stuttered out, "I'm sorry. I'll go clean up."

“There are clothes for you in the dressing room," Bennett told her, retreating a step to grant her room to move.

Without wasting a moment, Claudia hopped off the bed and into the dressing room, a space generously stocked with women's clothing, taking up two-thirds of the spacious area.

Selecting a dress without much thought, she was taken aback to find even undergarments were present.

Claudia assumed it was probably the work of Bennett's secretary, in preparation for her upcoming moving in.

Navigating to the bathroom with her leg still braced was a task, but she found relief in the stool provided within.

Emerging from the bathroom half an hour later, she noticed Bennett holding her phone.