During the introduction arranged by their families, the man she had married had seen her from afar and walked away in anger. They still hadn't even met each other properly.
Her adoptive grandfather and his grandfather had arranged the marriage. Since he couldn't go against their decision, her husband had chosen their wedding night to set the date for their divorce.
However, he had no idea that Claire was secretly part of the core research team at Nebula Bio-Institute. She was in charge of a group that was creating an experimental serum for gene repair, and she had used herself as a test subject.
The serum had caused a side effect that made her skin look dull and her face appear swollen, which had ruined her appearance.
Fortunately, those symptoms wouldn't last. Her body needed thirty days to completely process the serum, and her usual appearance would come back afterward.
By an unlucky coincidence, their arranged introduction had happened during that thirty-day period. Claire had planned to tell him the truth in person, but he hadn't stayed long enough to let her explain.
Still, none of that mattered anymore. She had agreed to the marriage only because she wanted to honor her late adoptive grandfather's final wish.
After reaching that decision, Claire signed the papers.
"The divorce agreement will become official after one year," the lawyer said. "My client wants you to tell both families that ending the marriage was your decision. He doesn't want this matter to cause any more trouble between him and his grandfather."
"That's fine with me," Claire replied.
"My client also instructed me to give you the mansion and this bank card as compensation."
The lawyer set an exclusive black card on the table and placed the marriage certificate and signed settlement inside his briefcase. He would need both documents to complete the divorce one year later.
A trace of amusement came over Claire. She was already married, but she hadn't even looked at her own marriage certificate.
"My client left me with one final message for you," the lawyer continued. "While this marriage remains in effect, he doesn't want you leaving this mansion. He also expects you to keep the marriage a secret from everyone. If you break either condition, you'll lose both the mansion and the card. Please remember that, Mrs. Bennett."
The lawyer finished delivering his message and left.
Fury burned through Claire. That jerk had some nerve. Did he honestly believe he could keep her trapped inside? Did he expect her to quietly follow every rule he set for her?
After telling the house staff not to bother her, she returned to her bedroom. She took a shower, changed her clothes, and slipped through the rear window before landing in the garden. Then she stayed out of sight of the security cameras, climbed over the wall, and escaped.
One hour later, a taxi stopped outside the Zenith Lounge.
Claire stepped out in a flowing blue dress covered with delicate floral prints. Her long and naturally wavy hair framed her soft and radiant appearance. People turned to look as she walked past, and their admiration was easy to see.
Since she was used to receiving attention, she paid them no mind and walked straight inside. Hollie Ashton, her best friend, was waiting to meet her in a private room.
When Claire entered the lobby through the main doors, a man dressed in a black suit approached from the opposite direction.
He stood tall with his back straight, while his sharp features and deep-set eyes made him seem casually indifferent. Even so, his strong presence placed silent pressure on everyone nearby. His personal assistant and several bodyguards followed close behind him. Anyone could tell at a glance that he wasn't an ordinary man.
Out of courtesy, Claire moved to the side and allowed the group to pass.
However, the man suddenly stopped in the middle of a step. Pain flashed through his eyes, and his handsome face lost all its color within seconds.
Claire barely had time to understand what was happening before he fell at her feet.
"Mr. Greene, can you hear me?" The assistant and bodyguards rushed forward to examine him. One of them immediately called 911.
Panic quickly spread throughout the lobby.
Claire was a doctor, so she couldn't simply watch without helping.
One look told her that his condition was severe. Without immediate treatment, he might not survive long enough for the ambulance to reach him.
Claire quickly knelt beside him and unfastened the top buttons of his shirt.
The assistant stared at her in shock and tried to stop her. "What exactly are you trying to do?!"
"I'm a doctor!" Claire spoke with calm authority. Her firm voice left no room for anyone to argue. "Everyone, move away from him! He needs more air!"
For a moment, the assistant studied her with uncertainty. Then he slowly pulled his hand back.
The bodyguards also stepped away without thinking.
First, Claire checked the man's pulse. After determining what had caused his collapse, she opened the rest of his shirt. She placed both hands against his abdomen and started pressing and kneading the area with steady and careful force.
His abdomen was firm and clearly defined with eight strong muscles. Claire moved her slender and smooth hands repeatedly across them. From the crowd's point of view, the scene looked far too intimate.
Without any warning, Claire opened the man's belt and carefully lowered his pants.
Everyone in the crowd gasped at once. Someone hissed, "What in the world is she doing? Is she trying to get herself killed? He's the most feared man in the entire city!"
The assistant looked alarmed. He shouted, "Everyone, leave this area right now!"
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