Chapter 4

Claudio returned home exactly a day later. He brought a 200-million-dollar sapphire necklace and a one-of-a-kind starlight diamond gown. "Carmy, let's celebrate our fifth anniversary again today. I want everyone to see just how happy and blissful we are." He might've sounded affectionate, but his tone left no room for discussion. Carmen quietly changed into the gown and let Claudio lead her away, his eyes filled with awe. The banquet was held in a five-star hotel owned by Weiss Group. Within the luxurious, glittering party hall, the elegantly dressed members of high society mingled with each other, their voices laced with sophistication. The waiting staff were wearing traditional dresses and masks. Claudio swept a nonchalant gaze across them and explained himself to Carmen. "Carmy, you're undoubtedly the star of the show tonight. I had them wear masks so they wouldn't steal your spotlight." Carmen seemed to have figured something out, her face turning pale. She was about to speak up, but she was interrupted by a polite, flattering voice. "Mr. Weiss is as loving and thoughtful as he has always been. Mrs. Weiss is such a lucky lady." "From what I heard, the gift he prepared for their fifth anniversary is a manor that's worth five billion dollars." "Mr. Weiss said that he would only love Mrs. Weiss more as the day goes by and that his gifts would only be more expensive." All of a sudden, the sound of a fabric tearing cut through the air. "I-I'm sorry." One of the waiting staff wearing a mask struggled to rise to her feet, her body trembling as she did. Her traditional dress was torn all the way to her thigh, revealing her delicate legs. Yet, none of the guests were in the mood to take in the view. All of them were shaking in their boots. Claudio was infamous for being obsessed with Carmen. For the waiting staff to ruin the party right now, he would definitely do something crazy. Every party guest offered a silent prayer for the careless waiting staff. As expected, Claudio's voice was as cold as ice. "You're coming with me." "Carmy, rules are what keep things in order. I'm going to discipline the waiting staff for a while. I'll be back before you know it." His tone was softened as he explained to Carmen. Then, he dragged the waiting staff upstairs. Moments later, Carmen climbed the stairs as well. Around the corner on the third floor, the door to the conference room was left ajar. The waiting staff was sitting on top of the conference table, her long, smooth legs wrapped around Claudio's hips. The mask was left alone on the side. The tears glistening in her eyes made her seem hopelessly pitiful. It was none other than Rosalia. Carmen's heart clenched. It turned out the celebration was just a hoax. Claudio merely wanted to fulfill Rosalia's wishes. Yet, it was obvious that Rosalia didn't think it was enough. "Darling, I'm sorry. You took me out of the villa. I should've been happy about it, but it felt awful when I saw how lovey-dovey you two were. It got so bad that my condition relapsed. I didn't even realize that I had tripped and fallen. "I've humiliated you. Are you mad at me for disrupting your moment with Ms. Whitman?" "I'm not." Claudio lifted his hand and wiped her tears away. "I feel heartbroken for what happened to you. I'm gonna ask my assistant to take you home, so a doctor can check on you." "I'm not going anywhere." Rosalia tightened her embrace, her tone flirtatious as she spoke. "No one can cure me except you. You're my miracle drug. If you don't believe me, you're welcome to give it a try." Claudio let out a chuckle. Holding the back of her head, he kissed her with a deep, lingering passion. "Feeling better now?" "Yeah, but that's not enough. I need a more thorough inspection." Rosalia's voice was laced with seduction as she caressed him in all the sensitive spots—deliberate and enticing. Claudio moaned. "Honey, are you sick, or are you hungry for something?" She giggled as she exhaled warm breath on his ear. "Both, actually." At the next moment, he pinned her to the conference desk and tore her traditional dress to pieces. What followed next stung Carmen's eyes. She recalled the moment when Rosalia snuck into Claudio's office four years ago. Rosalia lay on his work desk, wearing nothing but her birthday suit. Her voice was pathetic and humble as she begged. "Mr. Weiss, please just touch me a little. Anywhere you want." Claudio didn't even bat an eye at her. In an icy voice, he ordered his man to take her to the police department. He even covered Carmen's eyes and said, "Don't look at her. She's filthy. I'll never touch anyone but you." Now, however, he had pinned Rosalia to the conference desk as he brushed against every inch of her body with his lean fingers. The disdain in his eyes was replaced by a deep affection. Carmen couldn't bring herself to look at them anymore. With trembling steps, she turned and walked away. When Claudio stood in front of her again, he had a gift box in his hand. "Carmy, I hold in my hands the hotel's transfer agreement. It has witnessed our perfect love tonight, and I've decided to give it to you." The hotel was worth ten billion dollars, and yet he was giving it away as if it were nothing. Once again, he made everyone cast envious gazes her way. At that moment, Rosalia had changed into a new dress and came downstairs. The mask concealed her expression, but her clenched fists betrayed the storm brewing in her heart. Moments later, she relaxed her fists, lowered her gaze, and went away to set up the champagne tower. Standing on her toes, she poured champagne into the top glass. Suddenly, Rosalia's ankle twisted. In a moment of panic, she grabbed the tablecloth, sending the champagne tower crashing down. Countless glass shards flew straight at her and Carmen, who was standing behind her. Amid the frightened cries, Claudio's expression immediately shifted as he sprinted toward them. With a tense look, he pulled Rosalia away and into the safety of his arms. At first, Carmen managed to duck out of the way, but he barreled so hard into her that she was sent sprawling to the floor. Her head slammed against the floor, and warm blood trickled out. Meanwhile, the glass shards pierced her body, and the pain was excruciating. Carmen's vision became blurry, and the pain was so bad that she was trembling. Yet, she let out a wry giggle. She had assumed that Claudio's love was divided. When it came down to it, however, he chose Rosalia over her without hesitation.