Chapter 11: Women Are So Troublesome

Clara's face turned red in an instant.

Those marks... seemed to be made by her own hands.

When they were in bed, he was rough and fierce. She couldn't take it and ended up scratching him.

She hadn't realized how bad it was at the time.

Now, looking at the blood marks that were almost scabbing, it seemed like it must have hurt a lot.

Luckily, he wasn't angry.

But thinking about everything Ethan had done to her, she felt he had no right to be angry. No matter how much she scratched him, it couldn't compare to the pain he caused her.

While Clara was lost in her thoughts, Ethan had already taken off his pants.

Clara snapped back to reality, her face turning even redder. She quickly turned her head away, heart pounding wildly.

Ethan glanced at Clara before heading into the walk-in closet to change into his loungewear. When he came out, he saw Clara still standing there awkwardly.

"Put your things inside," Ethan said.

"...Oh." Clara sighed in relief. She felt out of place here; the entire room seemed to be filled with Ethan's presence, making her feel awkward, nervous, and uneasy.

Clara carried her suitcase into the walk-in closet. It was spacious, and although Ethan had many clothes, there was still some empty space. Clara took out her clothes and put them away. When she came out, she saw Ethan sitting on a chair on the balcony, talking on the phone. She went into the bathroom, which was large and equipped with a bathtub, a shower, a toilet, and a squat toilet.

It was rare for someone to have both a toilet and a squat toilet in their room.

Clara placed her cosmetics on the cabinet.

Although Clara wasn't favored at home, the Everett family never lacked in providing for her materially. As a wealthy heiress, Clara invested a lot in her skincare and makeup; after all, loving beauty is a woman's nature.

After putting her things away, Clara came out.

And then...

She didn't know what to do next.

If she were in her own room, she would definitely be lying on the bed playing with her phone. But now... she didn't dare.

This was Ethan's bed.

Ethan finished his call and walked in. Clara heard his footsteps and looked at him nervously. She wanted to smile but couldn't bring herself to do so when faced with his handsome yet stern face.

Ethan glanced at Clara without saying anything and went into the bathroom. As soon as he entered, he saw the numerous bottles and jars on the cabinet.

To be honest, the sheer number of them surprised Ethan.

He knew women loved skincare and makeup, but... there were at least forty or fifty bottles of various shapes and sizes—tall ones, short ones, round ones, square ones, black ones, white ones.

Did Clara really use so many products on her face every day?

So that's how Clara maintained her delicate and flawless skin?

Being a woman seemed really troublesome.

Ethan used the toilet and came out to see Clara sitting on the sofa playing with her phone. When she heard him come out, her body visibly tensed up, and she straightened her back.

Ethan knew Clara was afraid of him. She was both scared and embarrassed.

The Everett family raised two completely different daughters. One was shameless and reckless; the other was overly cautious and sensible.

He couldn't understand how the Everett family raised their daughters. Logically speaking, as the younger daughter, Clara should have been more spoiled and less sensible.

But the two sisters were the exact opposite.

Ethan had no intention of comforting Clara. If she feared him, then let her continue to fear him. Fear would at least keep her from doing anything to betray him like Iris did. With fear in her heart, she wouldn't dare to betray him or make him angry.

For Ethan, marriage was simply about continuing the family line. As an ambitious man, his focus was on his work and expanding his business empire. As long as his wife was obedient, bore his children, and stayed out of trouble, he was willing to give her wealth and status.

Ethan sat down at the desk with his laptop and started working.

As a vice president of a corporation, Ethan had many responsibilities. Though not overwhelmed with work, he was still very busy.

Clara glanced at Ethan secretly. Seeing him engrossed in work, she quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Being alone with him made her feel very awkward.

So they remained like this—one sitting on the sofa playing with her phone, the other at the desk working—without speaking. The room was quiet except for the occasional sound of Ethan typing on his keyboard.

This continued until a servant called them for dinner.

Clara and Ethan went downstairs to eat.

In the dining room downstairs, only one person was sitting at the table.

Mia Logan.

Mia Logan was Ethan's uncle's daughter, 23 years old this year.

Clara knew her.

They attended the same university. Although they were in different majors and grades, because of Ethan's engagement to Iris, Mia and Clara were acquainted and would exchange greetings when they met on campus.

Clara smiled and nodded at Mia.

Mia nodded back.