Chapter 3

I didn't care how he handled it. But in the middle of the night, I was violently dragged out of sleep and thrown onto the floor. I shook my head, meeting Julian's furious eyes. I was thoroughly annoyed.

"You set the paparazzi on her, didn't you?! You said thirty million settled it! Why did they still find her?! Why?!"

My temper flared. The sleepiness I had fought so hard to get vanished instantly. I jumped up and slapped him hard!

"Use your pea-sized brain for once! I never said the woman in the video was Chloe Bennett!"

"From beginning to end, only your face was visible in the leaks. Who do you think leaked her identity?!"

I patted Julian's cheek condescendingly. "Idiot. Get out!"

With that, I kicked him out of the room!

Julian didn't try to break the door down after that.

The next day, it was time for the traditional post-wedding Sunday family dinner at my parents' estate. I packed the gifts and saw Julian standing by the door as I walked out.

I ignored him, but his face looked tense as he followed me. "About last night... I'm sorry. I shouldn't have accused you without checking first."

I found it amusing. "So, who was it?"

"Chloe is just feeling insecure."

"So how are you going to compensate me?" I held out my hand. Julian's eyes flickered, but he eventually sent me three million dollars via PayPal.

I sneered, taking the money, but didn't forget to warn him: "Keep your little first love on a leash. If she ever comes boasting to my face again, I will leak the uncensored, full HD version of your video and seal her reputation as a homewrecker forever!"

I stepped on the gas and sped away, leaving Julian fuming behind me before he quickly drove to follow.

When we arrived, my parents nodded in approval at the sight of Julian. He followed my dad into the study, and they talked for God knows how long.

My mom looked at me and arched an eyebrow. "How's it going?"

I shook my head. My mom frowned. "Are you really going to let that mistress walk all over you? Give him hell!"

"I know, don't worry. He'll take the bait soon. All I need from him is a child."

Julian is stupid, but Chloe isn't. The paparazzi drama yesterday had already reached Victoria's ears. No doubt Julian's midnight tantrum got him a severe lashing from his mother.

That was why he put on a show and accompanied me home today.

During dinner, my mom specifically had the chef serve Julian a specialized stamina soup, subtly mocking him by saying he looked exhausted with dark circles under his eyes.

Julian couldn't say much and just gulped down the soup. After dinner, my mom insisted I stay the night to rest, and I didn't refuse.

Julian began to look off. His face was flushed red. My heart skipped a beat, recalling my mom's mischievous wink before she left.

She had drugged him!

Well, Julian, you walked right into this one.

I grabbed his arm. "Come on, let me show you my old bedroom."

He leaned in close, following me to my old room. As we walked in, I was stunned—it was a massive, newly upgraded California King bed.

Before I could even show him around, Julian couldn't restrain himself anymore.

Oh well, since we're already here.

This time, I got exactly what I wanted, though Julian's performance was still utterly disappointing.

I pushed him aside in disgust, wrapped myself in the duvet, and went to sleep, ignoring him entirely.

The next morning, his phone was buzzing with missed calls. I was surprised to find that my mom had actually installed a signal jammer in the hallway just to keep us from being disturbed.

When a particularly shrill ringtone pierced the air, I picked up his phone.

"Julian, where are you? Have you abandoned me?"

"I've been waiting for you! I'm so scared!"

Chloe's whiny, melodramatic crying made me frown. I intentionally let out a soft, sleepy moan near the speaker: "Julian, baby... someone's calling you."

The voice on the other end stopped instantly, followed by a hysterical shriek: "Claire?! How is that you?!"

"You bitch! Don't you dare think you can carry a Vance child!"