Maybe More Than a Little

"Divorce?"

In the faint moonlight, Claire Bennett could see the gloom on Julian Sterling's face, and for a split second, she actually got a little intimidated.

She had worked up to saying it for a long time just now, so why did he look like she owed him several million dollars?

Wasn't this what Julian Sterling wanted most?

Anyway, he already had a girlfriend, and their agreement had already been fulfilled. Julian Sterling had done an excellent job helping her slap people in the face.

Claire Bennett thought again of the time she had seen Julian Sterling eating a couples' set meal with a girl. She had waited for him an entire evening, only to hear that he had gone on a business trip.

Thinking back on it now, her chest still ached with a dull pain.

She had to admit that she really did have a little bit of affection for this man—no... maybe more than a little.

Claire Bennett suppressed the emotions in her heart and said carefully, "Your task is already finished. We should end this, right? And your situation will be different from now on. I know how to read the room. I won't affect anything for you."

"Our marriage was an accident to begin with, but I still have to thank you for helping me. Let's just leave it at this from now on."

She was sincerely saying goodbye, but to Julian Sterling, it sounded like Claire Bennett couldn't wait to dump him for another man.

Julian Sterling let out a cold laugh and said casually, "Did you seriously read the contract we signed back then?"

"Huh?" Claire Bennett pushed herself up and looked at Julian Sterling in confusion. Her eyes were full of puzzlement, as if she had no idea what he meant.

Was there something wrong with the contract they had signed?

At the time, Naomi Pierce's loved-up social media post had provoked her, so she had only skimmed it in a hurry and hadn't paid attention to the other terms.

Other than the clauses that had shocked her, was there something else she hadn't noticed?

Seeing the blank confusion all over Claire Bennett's face, Julian Sterling decided to make it clearer.

He said slowly, "In the supplementary terms at the end, there's a clause that says if the contract is terminated early, a breach penalty of 5 million US dollars must be paid."

Claire Bennett's eyes widened like bells.

What?

A breach penalty of 5 million US dollars!!!

Was he serious? Even if she sold herself, she still wouldn't have 5 million to pay back!

Without changing expression, Julian Sterling said, "Do you still want a divorce now?"

Claire Bennett hadn't really wanted a divorce in the first place. She had only been thinking that since Julian Sterling had a girlfriend, she should make way for the two of them. She had never expected the contract they signed back then to hide such a huge trap.

She was speechless.

After a long while, Claire Bennett let out a heavy sigh and said, "We're not getting divorced."

Anyway, a year's time would pass in the blink of an eye.

When the time came, she would be able to leave completely.

Even though she could still stay with Julian Sterling for now, Claire Bennett still wasn't very happy deep down, because Julian Sterling already had a girlfriend, and he was only forced to continue with her because of that contract.

Come to think of it, the two of them were probably both victims.

If she had known, she would have looked at the contract a few more times when she signed it.

Claire Bennett lay back down weakly. Fine, then no divorce. But from now on, she had to change the way she thought about Julian Sterling, or sooner or later she would fall hopelessly into his charm and be unable to pull herself out.

She closed her eyes and said softly, "Good night, Julian Sterling."

"Good night."

Although she was in a gloomy mood, Claire Bennett still quickly fell asleep, carefree as ever. Julian Sterling, on the other hand, lay there with his eyes open, not the slightest bit sleepy.

His brows were faintly furrowed, his gaze resting on Claire Bennett.

In the darkness, he could vaguely make out the contours of her face. He had never thought that one day he would need to use such a low tactic to keep someone from leaving.

At this moment, in the tent next door.

Ruby Sterling had her ear pressed against the side of the tent, listening with a face full of curiosity and gossip.

Seeing this from behind, Cameron Quinn couldn't help laughing quietly and said, "Eavesdropping on your brother? Be careful or he'll deal with you."

Without even turning around, Ruby Sterling said, "Come on, I'm worried about Claire and my brother. I never thought Claire would have a man hidden in her heart. That's really too surprising. Who exactly is that man?"

She tried hard to recall all her memories with Claire Bennett from school, but there wasn't a single person she could match to that description.

Claire Bennett had never been especially close with any man.

Curiosity flickered in Cameron Quinn's eyes, and he asked smoothly, "Then the man hidden in your heart—is it that Chase Monroe?"

The moment Cameron Quinn mentioned that scumbag, Ruby Sterling immediately exploded.

She whipped her head around and ground out through clenched teeth, "Don't mention him in front of me, or I'm going to get mad. Then we won't even get to be good brother and sister anymore!"

Good brother and sister... ?

Hearing those three words, Cameron Quinn's expression visibly stiffened, his face turning dark and unreadable.

Was that how Ruby Sterling saw him? As a brother?

It looked like he still had a long way to go.