Chapter 4

As Crimson helped me back home, James's words kept echoing in my mind. "Ms. Bennett, once you're back on your feet, you can join us anytime. The doors of Sawyer Innovations are always open for you.

"Crimson can not only protect you, but also help gather data on Eve. You know what I mean."

As soon as I stepped into the entryway, raucous laughter echoed from the master bedroom upstairs.

"Eve, the program's good to go, but I still need to inspect the rest of your body," Michael said.

"Mr. Walker, didn't you already go over every inch last night, inside and out? I'm still barely recovered." Eve's flirtatious voice floated softly through the crack in the door.

"Last night in the lab wasn't enough. Tonight, at home, we can try every possible position," Michael said.

At that moment, the last thread holding me together snapped, silent and final.

If Emily could see this, she'd be sick to her stomach. The man she risked everything for was now holding a soulless imitation of her, using her voice to say the dirtiest things and doing the most degrading acts.

I couldn't be bothered to go in. I didn't want to see any more filth.

I turned and walked into the living room, sitting down on the couch.

Maybe the commotion outside caught their attention, so the laughter upstairs stopped almost instantly.

Not long after, Michael came downstairs, dressed to the nines, with Eve trailing behind him.

When he spotted me, a hint of awkwardness flashed across his face. "About last night, don't let it get to you. I made Eve, after all. I can't ignore her."

"Got it." I kept my face blank.

"You're not mad?" he asked.

I glanced up and tossed his words right back at him, my tone faint. "Why would I be? She's a robot."

Michael was momentarily speechless, his face clouded over.

After a brief pause, he spoke up again. "Now that you're back, you should start sleeping in the guest room."

Seeing that I didn't respond, he tried to act like he was doing it for my sake. "It's for your good. You're pregnant, and sleeping apart is better for the baby."

Eve, standing beside him, lifted her eyes and gave me a subtle, smug smile.

How ironic. In this house, I couldn't hold onto my bedroom anymore.

But I quietly answered, "Okay."

My overly calm response made Michael's face fall further. "By the way, the company is holding a product launch in three days. Eve will be appearing as the face of the product.

"The media will be there, so you shouldn't attend. Stay home and focus on your pregnancy."

As he spoke, Michael kept his eyes locked on my face, hoping to catch a different reaction.

My fingers stilled for a moment.

As Mrs. Walker, I'd stood by his side at every product launch for the past three years.

Now, I was being replaced by a robot.

"Okay." I was still perfectly calm.

Michael's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he had more to say.

Just then, Crimson walked out of the kitchen.

He carried a steaming cup of milk, walking steadily over to me and leaning closer. "Sweetheart, have some milk."

As soon as Michael saw Crimson, his face instantly darkened. He sized Crimson up with a sharp gaze.

Crimson was 6'1", broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, with sharply defined facial features. His gentle eyes held a touch of remoteness, and his aura rivaled that of A-list male celebrities.

He wore a sharply tailored shirt with the sleeves casually rolled up to his elbows, revealing sleek, strong forearms, exuding an air of lazy elegance and noble poise.

Michael's temples throbbed, his voice icy. "Who is he? Claire, when did I ever say you could bring a man home?"

I took the milk, sipped it slowly, and glanced at Crimson. "Thanks."

Crimson gave a slight smile, his voice low and magnetic. "No need to thank me, Sweetheart. That's what I'm here for."

"Sweetheart?" Michael looked like he'd been burned by Crimson's words.

He suddenly stepped forward, planting himself between Crimson and me, his eyes locked on me. "Explain yourself, Claire."

Then, as if something had dawned on him, his gaze suddenly grew deep and dangerous. "Oh, I see. You went to a nightclub, picked up some male model, and brought him home to spite me, huh?"

Eve's expression shifted, and she clung tightly to Michael's arm. "Ms. Bennett, how could you treat Michael like this? You haven't divorced yet."

I couldn't help but scoff.

This robot's acting was top-tier, able to get into character anytime and anywhere.

I set down my milk and looked at her with unhurried confidence. "Eve, you're a robot. Do you know what divorce is?"

Eve's face froze for a second, then her eyes welled up with tears as she buried herself in Michael's arms. "Michael, Ms. Bennett is bullying me."

Michael instinctively protected her. "Claire, don't go too far. Eve's right. We're still married, and you're already bringing a man home? What am I to you?"

"A man?" I tilted my head, pointing at Crimson. "You mean him?"

Crimson's lips curled into a faint smile as he looked at Michael, dead serious. "Hello, Mr. Walker. Strictly speaking, I'm not a man. I was a bionic robot named Crimson.

"My main functions include, but aren't limited to, personal protection, housework, and emotional support. If needed, I can also offer emergency medical aid."

Michael's face alternated between pale and flushed as he stared daggers at Crimson. "We don't manufacture robots like this."

"I bought him from Sawyer Innovations," I replied.

"Sawyer Innovations?" Michael let out a cold laugh, circling Crimson. "You really think their stuff can compare to what I make? Claire, did you get scammed or something?

"What's this thing good for? Can it actually do any work? Or..."

He suddenly stopped, his eyes cold and dangerous as he stared at me. "Or did you deliberately bring home a male robot to get under my skin?"

"Why would I?" I stood up to meet his gaze. "Michael, you made Eve your secretary and spokesperson. I have Crimson as my servant and bodyguard. That's fair, isn't it?"

"Fair?" Michael scoffed, like he'd heard a joke. "Eve is my creation, my blood, sweat, and tears. And what about him? You brought home some random junk. Does that deserve to be compared to Eve?"

Crimson showed no anger. Instead, he gave Michael a polite nod. "I've noted your comment, Mr. Walker.

"But according to my database, Sawyer Innovations' Guardian Series outperforms Walker Group's current bionic robot products in core indicators such as emotional simulation, autonomous learning, and logical judgment.

"Would you like me to pull up the detailed comparison data for you?"

Michael's expression turned stormy.

Michael took a deep breath, struggling to keep his composure. "Claire, I'm giving you three days to return this junk. Or else..."

"Or else what?" I cut him off, keeping my cool. "You going to trick me into another roller coaster ride?"

Michael's eyes widened in shock. He started to say something, like he wanted to explain.

But I didn't give him the chance. I walked upstairs, Crimson quietly trailing behind me.

At the foot of the stairs, I paused and glanced back at the two of them standing in the living room. "Oh, since you told me to move to the guest room, the master bedroom's yours now.

"Crimson will crash on the floor in my room, keeping an eye on me."

With that, I continued upstairs.

Michael's voice came from behind, through gritted teeth. "Claire, don't regret this."

I didn't look back.

He was the one who told me to move to the guest room, but now it felt like I was the one forcing him.