Chapter 96

"Are you really the woman my brother married? Claire Grace?" Blaire Zeller's wide eyes brimmed with disbelief as she stared Claire up and down.

Claire blinked, biting back a sigh. What was so unbelievable about it? Did Blaire think she was one of those hapless employees who didn't know the basics? Claire pursed her lips, forcing herself to nod politely. "Yes, I am."

"Director Zeller, here's your coffee. And Mrs. Zeller, your milk," said Shauna Mills as she approached from the kitchenette, carefully handing them their respective drinks.

"Thank you, Shauna," Claire said with genuine surprise. It hadn't occurred to her that Shauna had noticed her aversion to coffee and remembered her preference for milk.

Blaire took a slow sip of her coffee before abruptly remarking, "You really do look your age."

Claire blinked, baffled. Glancing at Shauna, who looked equally confused, Claire asked, "What do you mean?"

Blaire leaned back in her chair, her tone nonchalant. "My mom said you're a few years younger than me, and it shows. Your preferences are pretty childish for someone your age. Milk, seriously? How old are you? Five?" She punctuated her words with a disdainful glance.

Claire felt her chest tighten, heat rushing to her face—not from embarrassment, but anger. However, it wasn't just Blaire's rudeness that stung; it was her choice of words. Blaire had said, "my mom," not "mom." It was subtle but significant. It made clear that in Blaire's eyes, Claire wasn't part of the family yet.

Sensing the tension, Shauna attempted to steer the conversation elsewhere. "Director Zeller, are you back for good this time, or just visiting before heading back to the U.S.?"

Blaire smirked, setting her coffee cup down. "Oh, I'm here to work. Got to keep busy, you know." Her tone carried a hint of defiance, as if daring someone to question her intentions.

"Great! That'll definitely lighten my workload," Shauna said, clearly relieved.

Blaire shot her a sideways glance. "I'm not here to make your life easier. Let's not get carried away."

Shauna scratched her head awkwardly. "Well, if you're staying here, I'll leave you to wait for the president. I need to prep for a meeting. Mrs. Zeller, care to join me in the conference room?"

Claire hesitated. Lucas had told her earlier she didn't need to attend. "I—"

Before she could finish, Blaire interrupted, waving dismissively. "If she leaves, I'll be bored out of my mind. Go on without her. I need someone to keep me company."

The casual arrogance in Blaire's tone made Claire bristle. There was something unnervingly similar between Blaire and Lucas—the same commanding air, though Blaire's was far less charming. If Lucas was a force of nature, Blaire was an unpredictable storm.

After Shauna left, Blaire stood abruptly, her sharp eyes sweeping over Claire from head to toe, as if assessing a piece of merchandise. The scrutiny made Claire feel like a fish out of water, utterly exposed.

"I seriously question my brother's taste," Blaire finally said, her words laced with derision. "No makeup, no presence. What exactly does he see in you?"

The comment hit like a slap. Claire's breath caught, and she froze. It wasn't just the insult—it was the sheer audacity. How could Blaire judge her so openly, as if she were unworthy of standing beside Lucas? 

Claire remembered something Helen Zeller had once mentioned in passing: Blaire was adopted into the family. For a fleeting moment, she wondered if that explained the tension, but it didn't excuse Blaire's behavior.

Blaire smirked. "When Lucas rushed into marriage, I thought it was because he'd found someone truly remarkable. But you? Tsk, tsk..." She didn't finish, but the disdain in her voice and the mocking click of her tongue made her meaning clear.

Claire's anger flared. All thoughts of maintaining peace for Lucas's sake evaporated. "Miss Zeller," Claire said, enunciating each word, "I may not claim to be extraordinary, but I don't question Lucas's judgment. If you think so highly of your brother, then surely his choice of partner reflects his exceptional standards. So, while I might not be perfect, I must be good enough. After all, he chose to build a life with me, and your parents seem to like me quite a bit."

Blaire's mouth opened slightly, caught off guard by Claire's sudden assertiveness. After a moment, she huffed and dropped back into her chair. "I'm not going to waste my energy arguing with you," she muttered. "We'll see who's right in the end."

Just as the atmosphere grew taut with tension, the door to the office swung open. Lucas Zeller stepped in, his commanding presence filling the room. His deep voice carried an edge of amusement as he addressed Blaire, "Blaire, are you causing trouble again?"

Both women turned to face him, one fuming and the other feigning innocence.