Chapter 52: Could He Really Like Her?

Lucas Zeller pushed open the office door with his foot, only to be greeted by the sight of Claire Grace curled up on the sofa. She lay on her side, her slender frame shivering slightly, arms crossed as if trying to shield herself from the cold, likely due to the overly strong air conditioning.

"Seriously? Too cold, and she doesn't think to turn off the AC?" Lucas muttered under his breath, frowning. He set down the package in his hands, then removed his charcoal-gray suit jacket and carefully draped it over her. Afterward, he rummaged through the package and pulled out a tube that resembled toothpaste. Twisting off the cap, he squeezed some ointment onto a cotton ball and gently began applying it to the red, swollen burn on her right hand.

Even though Lucas was being as gentle as possible, Claire stirred in her sleep, her brows furrowing slightly. The burning sensation on her hand was quickly replaced by a cooling relief, and the warmth emanating from something near her—a warmth that felt comforting—made her unconsciously inch closer toward it.

Mmm... this warmth... it feels so nice...

A contented smile tugged at Claire's lips in her sleep, her cheeks glowing with a soft, rosy satisfaction.

Lucas watched in frustration as she, like a cold little puppy, instinctively burrowed closer into his warmth, seeking even more comfort. He felt momentarily lost, unsure of how to handle the situation.

Yet, without thinking twice, he cupped her injured hand with his right palm, making sure the ointment wouldn't be wiped away by her movements. His other hand slipped beneath her long, straight hair, gently supporting her shoulders. He carefully lifted her upper body to create some space, then shifted to sit down himself, allowing her to rest more comfortably in his lap while she continued to nap.

It wasn't until he'd finished all these actions that Lucas realized what he'd just done. He blinked, bewildered by his own behavior.

Lowering his head slightly, his gaze fell on Claire's face, half-hidden by her tousled hair. Her skin, though untouched by makeup, was naturally radiant and smooth, exuding a purity that was almost translucent.

He couldn't help but smile as he watched her. His lips curved into a gentle arc, and deep inside, a strange, unfamiliar warmth began to swell. It filled him up, as though something inside him wanted to overflow.

Could it be that he didn't actually dislike her? In fact... he might even like her?

The realization made Lucas's body stiffen. His face froze, turning to stone as the truth hit him.

He liked her?! Since when? Was it the first time he saw her, when the thought of a black bra flashed through his mind? Or the time she was caught in a nightmare and he held her tight while she clung to him like an octopus? Maybe it was when he accidentally saw her naked in the bathroom, and she kissed him to silence his shock? Or was it…

Ahhh, why were there so many *"that moments"*?

No, no, no! There had to be a mistake somewhere. How could he possibly like Snail Girl? This was absurd! Who was he? The renowned figure standing at the pinnacle of the fashion industry, a legendary perfume and cosmetics designer! How could someone like him possibly fall for a cosmetics amateur like her?

Ridiculous!