Chapter 2

I returned to our penthouse—the marital home the Vances bought us. I went straight to the bedroom, collapsed onto the bed, and slept like the dead.

I didn't wake up until evening.

Dinner was already prepared. Just as I was eating, Julian came back.

Seeing me, he looked incredibly bitter and said coldly, "Claire, you still have the appetite to eat? Because of you, Chloe is on the verge of taking her own life!"

I raised an eyebrow. "If she can't survive, it’s only because you're too incompetent."

"Julian, you want to have your cake and eat it too. Since she's dying, what are you doing back here?"

Julian gritted his teeth so hard they nearly broke. "If my mother hadn't forced me, I wouldn't set foot in this place!"

Hearing this, I laughed. "So you do have someone you fear. I thought you were utterly fearless. What's wrong? Feeling your position threatened? Want me to help you?"

I took a sip of my soup, composed myself, and watched Julian sit across the table. "How do you know?"

"Is it that hard to guess?" I raised an eyebrow. "Your father has two illegitimate sons abroad. Ivy League grads, brilliant, highly capable."

"Even an outsider like me knows. You think you can keep playing dumb?"

"The Vance empire is only where it is today because of your grandfather. All he wants is for you to produce an heir. Otherwise, your title as the Golden Boy of the Upper East Side is going to someone else."

"Don't even think about it!"

I shrugged. "Whatever. As long as the baby in my belly carries the Vance bloodline, I don't care."

"You're just a title. If you get kicked out, those bastards can come back. I wouldn't mind changing my alliance to one of them. After all, the Sterlings have plenty of money!"

I wiped my mouth and stood up, ignoring his livid expression, and left him with one final blow.

"Besides, you're already dirty. I have no interest in you anyway."

Julian was so enraged his face turned purple. He stood up abruptly and lunged in front of me. "What did you say?!"

"Isn't it true? I watched your leaked video last night. It was mediocre at best. I suggest you take some supplements."

"Even if Chloe doesn't want to get pregnant, you're not young anymore—you're in your thirties. Don't end up shooting blanks when you finally want to!"

I walked straight toward the master bedroom. The next second, a massive force threw me down onto the bed. Looking at Julian, who was tearing at my clothes like a madman, I sighed. Whatever, I'll just pretend I'm getting bitten by a dog.

Julian froze for a second, then bit down on my neck with a ferocious intensity. "I'll show you whether I can perform or not!"

Just as he was about to pin me down, his phone suddenly rang. Chloe's sobbing voice came through the speaker. "Julian, there are so many reporters outside my door! Didn't you say Claire handled them? Why are they still here calling me a homewrecker?!"

The volume was so loud I could hear every word. I couldn't help but chuckle softly. Julian glared at me savagely. On the other end, Chloe shrieked, "Julian, what are you doing?!"

"Sleeping!"

My voice echoed through the line, and she instantly broke down.

Julian hung up immediately, his eyes dark and menacing. "You did this on purpose!"

"I'm just stating facts. I like to sleep early."

"Go on, she's waiting for you."

I stood up, my silk nightgown hugging my curves, which were easily as good as Chloe's.

In the end, Julian left anyway.

But I smiled.

No man can resist a beautiful, wealthy woman. Besides, Julian is an idiot. He loves the fantasy of two women fighting over him. He would eventually crawl back.