Claudia's attitude pushed York over the edge.
He grabbed her ankle and pulled her toward him, trapping her, comforter and all, in his arms.
In a panic, Claudia fumbled for her phone and swung it at his head.
The corner of the phone struck his forehead, drawing blood instantly.
Their eyes met at close range.
Terrified, Claudia dropped the phone.
His face a dark mask, York released her.
They scrambled back, getting off opposite sides of the bed and standing there with the large bed between them.
After a few seconds of silent staring, York turned and walked out of the bedroom. Claudia immediately locked the door behind him.
She hadn't even said anything that bad, and he was the one who got angry.
Early the next morning, Claudia got up.
York, who had spent a sullen night on the sofa, saw her and stood up, his face grim. The cut on his forehead was still raw and untreated.
Their eyes met. Claudia ignored the wound and turned to go into the dining room.
York stood there, fuming for a moment, before silently heading into the master bedroom.
As Claudia was leaving, she said to Wilma, "Wilma, could you please get the small bedroom ready for me?"
She had been so consumed with work lately that she hadn't had time to sort out her personal life. York had no feelings for her, so even without the constraints of their prenuptial agreement, she didn't dare push him too far. If she truly angered him and he decided to move against her, she would be powerless.
But sleeping in separate rooms should be acceptable.
York was too proud and arrogant to agree to a medical exam just to prove he was clean. It was something he would never do.
Spotting a colleague waving at her from a distance, Claudia shot Ann a disdainful look.
"Instead of provoking me here," Claudia said, "you should be thinking about how to satisfy York. He was so desperate last night that he tried to force himself on me, and I had to injure him. This is the perfect opportunity for you to go offer some comfort and care."
With that, Claudia walked away with her colleague.
Ann stood frozen, biting her lower lip so hard it nearly bled.
"They're about to get a divorce, yet she's still so eager to sleep with him. Her talk about cooperating with me, about divorcing him to help me get my position—it was all a lie. That bitch has been deceiving me all along."
Ann muttered through gritted teeth, "Bitch!"
Just then, a middle-aged woman walked past her.
Seeing no one else around, the woman pointed a finger at Ann's nose. "Who are you calling a bitch?"

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