I still shamelessly went to sleep with Richard like before.

But I'd abandoned the foolish idea of making him fall in love with me.


Richard, that old fox, would never love anyone.

Because he only loved himself.

"What are you thinking about?"


He turned my face toward him, his lips kissing my eyes.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, tilting my head playfully, asking, "Why do you like kissing my eyes so much?"


Richard held me tight, his thrusts growing more intense. "Because they remind me of someone."

"Who?" I asked, already knowing the answer.

Richard's thin lips parted slightly as he said, "Someone from my past."

"Did you love her?" I couldn't help asking, though I knew it would only hurt me more to hear his answer.

Richard collapsed on top of me, exhaling deeply. "Yes."

I couldn't help but burst into laughter—a hollow, bitter sound that echoed off the walls.

He pinched my cheek, his gaze deep and dark. "What's so funny?"

I didn't answer him, just smiled and gazed back at him calmly.

"Claire, your surname is Jenkins, isn't it?"

I was only briefly flustered before smiling bitterly.

Of course—a shrewd man like him, how could my intentions possibly escape his notice?

He had recognized me as Sophia Jenkins's daughter from the very beginning.

Calmly waiting for me to walk into his trap.

Watching my clumsy disguises with amusement—I was merely a whore entertaining him.

I had overestimated myself.

But I wasn't entirely without gain. At least I had successfully witnessed Victoria's uncontrolled suffering.

She drove my mother insane with those photos.

I would "repay" her in the same way.

I bit down hard on Richard's shoulder. "Richard Collins, I've come to collect a debt."

"Claire, what do you want from me?" Richard placed his large hand on my head, his tone gentle, like lovers whispering sweet nothings.

I bit his shoulder until it bled, but he didn't even flinch.

Suddenly it all seemed pointless.

I pointed at his heart, smiling sarcastically. "I want your family destroyed, your marriage ruined, and your life to end in misery."

"Heh..." Richard pulled me into his arms, his tone lazy. "Claire, you really are still a child, adorably naive."

"Naive? I've already succeeded, haven't I? Your wife caught you cheating. You betrayed her, just like you betrayed my mother. Now prepare to be ruthlessly abandoned!"

But Richard laughed even more heartily, his large hand caressing my thigh. "That's why I call you naive. Do you think I, Richard Collins, still need to rely on that woman?"

"What about Thomas? He hates you because of this. Don't you care at all?"

A flash of gloom crossed Richard's eyes, and his grip tightened. "Claire, you shouldn't have involved him. He really loved you."

I pressed my lips together, turning away, laughing coldly.

"What does it matter? As long as it hurts you, I'll use any means necessary."

Even though, in truth, I never wanted Thomas to witness such filth.

"Then you'll be disappointed," Richard's hand slid between my thighs, his voice husky with desire. "I'm not hurt at all. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself. Claire, doing this, the only person you're truly getting revenge on is Thomas."

He leaned close to my ear, like a devil from hell, whispering, "Do you know what wish he made on his birthday?"

"He said he hoped to trade half his life so you could have a complete family."