Chapter 3: Are You That Desperate?

Benjamin asked indifferently, "When did I agree?" He would never allow Sophia to cheat on him. Sophia pondered over the meaning behind his words "suit yourself" that night. There was an element of consent, but it wasn't a complete agreement. He let her make her own choice whether to betray the marriage or not. But he was indifferent to whatever she did. Otherwise, how could he be so calm now, and why would he have spoken those cold and heartless words back then? "Benjamin, you're definitely going to divorce me, aren't you?" "Yes," Benjamin replied without hesitation. Sophia scoffed, "Then it shouldn't matter to you who I'm with, right?" After all, they were going to divorce sooner or later. After the divorce, she would quickly be arranged into another marriage by her father. She was just a pawn for the Roberts family. Before the divorce from Benjamin, her father couldn't control her, so these three months were her only chance at freedom. "After the divorce, I'll leave without taking anything. Just leave me alone for now." During these three months, she intended to live happily and freely. A hand with distinct knuckles lightly tapped on the dining table made of high-quality purple sandalwood. Benjamin calculated that this arrangement wasn't a loss. After all, he truly didn't care about Sophia. If she left without claiming any property, it would indeed save him trouble. "Okay, but I have one condition." Sophia cursed inwardly. Benjamin was truly a mercenary businessman. She had agreed to divorce and leave without anything, yet he still wanted to lay down conditions. She gritted her teeth, "Speak." Benjamin stated, "Before the official divorce, you can only go to the Marine Paradise Club and must not be discovered." Sophia snorted inwardly. The confidentiality measures at the Marine Paradise Club were not particularly strong. It had only been one night, and Benjamin had already found out. She stared at the arrogant man across the table. Benjamin's influence in Pinecrest was unparalleled, and his presence in the financial circle was almost divine. If he wanted to know something, it couldn't be hidden from him. What he meant by not being discovered probably referred to not being caught by the press or media. Indeed, if it became public that Benjamin was cuckolded by his wife, it would be a humiliation he couldn't bear. "I promise I'll try my best not to be discovered." Benjamin leisurely lifted his wine glass to admire it, "Just a verbal promise?" Sophia bit her lip, "If my fooling around damages your reputation, I'll compensate you for your loss!" "If you're discovered, you must transfer your 2% shareholding of the Summit Bank to me," Benjamin demanded audaciously. "Benjamin, that's my dowry! You're shameless!" A 2% stake in the Summit Bank was worth over a hundred million dollars! "The greater the risk, the better you'll keep the secret." Benjamin was a lion at the negotiation table, always cautious, even when capturing the weakest prey. "So, are you afraid to bet?" Sophia, provoked to the edge, clenched her fists, "I agree!" Benjamin drank all his wine in one go and said teasingly, "Good luck." Sophia angrily rose from her chair and stormed off. As she passed him by, Benjamin grabbed her wrist, "Dinner is ready. Where are you going?" "The Marine Paradise Club!" Sophia pulled back her wrist as if touching something filthy. Benjamin observed her incredulously. "Are you that desperate?" Sophia glared fiercely at Benjamin and then flashed a defiant, seductive smile. "It's normal for you to have low libido at your age, but I'm only twenty-five, and I quite enjoy the thrill of this forbidden excitement!" With that, she ignored the sour look on Benjamin's face, grabbed a limited edition handbag, and left Oakleaf Estates. The Marine Paradise Club. Sophia poured herself two glasses of peach-flavored champagne at the suite's bar, holding one in each hand. "To hell with this damned marriage! Sophia, from today on, the person you love the most is yourself!" Clang. The glasses clinked together. "To myself!" Sophia finished the two glasses of champagne. "From now on, I live only for myself!" Knock knock. Sophia went to open the door. Grace Miller walked in gracefully, wearing a shiny silver mini-dress. "Ms. Roberts, would you like Lucas Rodriguez again tonight?" "Lucas Rodriguez?" Sophia asked, "The gigolo from last night?" Grace smiled, "He's known by that name here." Sophia understood that in such places, everyone used aliases. "Sure, his skills were good." The maid emerged from the bathroom. Grace nodded with a smile, "Ms. Roberts, the hot water is ready. You can take a bath first, and Lucas will be here shortly." ... Sophia put on a lace mask and took off her white floral dress, revealing her perfect figure. She sank into the bathtub and rested her head against the edge, enjoying the embrace of the hot water. Creak. Someone opened the door. Sophia opened her eyes. Lucas, wearing a mask, was dressed in black trousers and a black chiffon shirt with the collar open to reveal his abs. The chiffon shirt was very sheer, vaguely outlining his well-defined chest and abs. The Marine Paradise Club truly understood women. Men fully undressed were uninteresting. It was this barely-there tease that was most enticing. "Lucas." Sophia leaned against the edge of the tub, her beautiful face wearing a coy smile. She beckoned him with a finger, "Come here." Lucas stared at Sophia, hesitating for a few seconds before approaching her. As Lucas neared the tub, Sophia pulled on his collar and pulled him closer, her fingertips grazing his warm, firm chest. As they locked eyes, Sophia commanded, "Kiss me."