Chapter 10 An Act

Clara glanced at him in surprise, struggling in his embrace, but the large hand around her waist showed no signs of loosening. "Matthew, what do you think you're doing?" She questioned, her voice pressed down, eyebrows furrowed in irritation. Matthew took in her frustrated expression, his gaze growing deeper, and the hand on her waist tightened even more. "You have to compensate me." This statement almost made Clara laugh out loud. "Mr. Garcia, are you short on money for this shirt?" Matthew spoke earnestly, "Ms. Edwards, I certainly don't have your financial resources." His words dripped with sarcasm, fueling Clara's anger. Seeing this, Daniel stood up with a cold expression, intending to pull her back. However, Matthew reacted swiftly, sidestepping and holding her close. "Clara and I have something to discuss. You all have fun." Before Clara could resist, she was lifted up. Her stomach churned, and she couldn't help but punch Matthew's back. "Matthew, let go of me!" Daniel's face darkened as he tried to follow, but someone held him back. "What use is it for you to go? This is between Clara and Matthew. She can handle it herself. Given the commotion today, your concern should be over there." Daniel frowned, looking worriedly in their direction for a moment before turning back, his expression gradually darkening. "That bunch are all no good. Now that Clara and Matthew are divorced, they're bound to find out sooner or later. But it's a good thing they don't know about Clara's background. Otherwise... heh, let's just say it would be trouble!" The others, hearing this, had similarly grim expressions. After some discussion, they left one by one. Clara was carried directly into the elevator, feeling relieved that her skirt was elongated. Otherwise, it might have ridden up! "Matthew, there's no one around now. Please put me down!" Seeing that Matthew made no move as if he hadn't heard her, Clara gritted her teeth. "If you don't put me down right now, I'll throw up on you!" As soon as the words left her mouth, she was released. Matthew's tall figure enveloped her, and the height difference forced her to tilt her head slightly to meet his intense gaze. The elevator's mirror reflected their intertwined figures, adding to the ambiguity. "Clara, you've hidden yourself quite well these past three years. I didn't notice it at all." Matthew's voice was mocking, his eyes gradually darkening. His gaze flickered over her flamboyant red dress, and a hint of sarcasm tugged at his lips. "Indeed, quite a change." Clara brushed off his comment nonchalantly, adjusting her slightly disheveled hair. She tried to move away from him, but he pulled her back into his embrace once again. "Matthew, I need to remind you that we're divorced." Clara's tone of dissatisfaction filled Matthew's ears, leaving him unable to suppress his annoyance. He grabbed her chin and forcefully kissed her! Clara was caught off guard by the aggressive kiss. By the time she reacted, she found herself on a soft bed, her body heating up as if engulfed in flames. She instinctively tried to move away from the fiery touch. But retaining some rationality, she found herself unable to push the man off her. "Mr. Garcia, sleeping with me comes with a price tag." Matthew's actions abruptly stopped. Feeling the mattress shift, Clara sat up and faced the darkening expression on Matthew's face. "Mr. Garcia, what's done is done. I only care about money now." She knew exactly what Matthew hated the most and didn't want any further misunderstandings with him. Her intention was to make him back off voluntarily. However, Matthew's expression was as dark as ink, causing Clara to feel a twinge of unease. Was he really this temperamental? Matthew gazed at Clara's indifferent expression, already envisioning how proactive she would be if he offered her the right price! With this in mind, he couldn't help but think of Daniel. Suppressing his anger, he gritted his teeth and asked, "So, is Daniel also involved?" Clara's smile faded slightly as she reached up to touch Matthew's neck, exposing more of it through his already torn collar. "Mr. Garcia, perhaps you're thinking too much." Even though she wanted to annoy Matthew, she didn't want to drag others into it. No one knew what Matthew was capable of when he got angry! Clara's denial relieved Matthew somewhat. But as he gazed at Clara, who was so different from the shy girl he once knew, he leaned down and kissed her neck. "Ah!" Clara gasped, inwardly cursing this man for being so aggressive! "Mr. Garcia, I said. This is a different price!" Clara forcefully pushed him away, and through the marble mirror behind Matthew, she clearly saw the bruise on her neck. Annoyed, she glared at him. "How much?" he demanded. She hesitated for a moment, looking somewhat surprised at Matthew, who had taken out his phone ready to transfer money. Deliberately, she stated a figure. "2 million dollars." Matthew was a savvy businessman, and 2 million dollars for sleeping with a woman was not something Clara thought he would do! However, as he lowered his gaze and tapped the screen with his finger, Clara heard the vibration of her phone on the bedside table. Taking it and checking, she saw the bank deposit notification. It was exactly 2 million dollars, neither more nor less! "Are you insane?" Clara couldn't help but swear. She immediately tried to transfer the money back, but her phone was snatched away, and she was pressed firmly against the wall. The intense heat enveloped her, compounded by the alcohol she had consumed earlier, causing her consciousness to blur, gradually succumbing to Matthew's kisses. Matthew saw that she didn't struggle, and his anger surged even more. His actions became more ruthless, his large hands molding her soft breasts into various shapes. He leaned close to her, his ear near her rosy lips, listening to her rapid breaths. He left his mark on her slender neck, a mark that belonged only to him. "Clara, is this how you do business after taking the money?" Matthew deliberately paused, his eyes, suppressing his emotions, scornfully staring at her. Clara breathed out a sigh, feeling her throat dry and longing for a touch of coolness, as her arms willingly wrapped around Matthew's neck in response to his kiss. One thing was for sure. Matthew was skilled. Being with him was her taking advantage. "Clara! What do you take me for?" Matthew didn't let her get closer, pressing her shoulders against the wall. The pain in her shoulders brought some clarity to Clara's mind. She grimaced and then, with a provocative smile, challenged him. "Isn't this what you want, Mr. Garcia?" Meeting her gradually clearing gaze, Matthew felt like a hammer had struck his chest. "It seems that your affection for me over these three years has also been an act."