Chapter 104: The First Time He Stood Up for Her
"Dinner is ready!" Blaire Zeller's voice rang out brightly from the direction of the dining room.
"Alright, we're coming," Lucas Zeller replied, his tone calm but commanding. He reached out to clasp Claire Grace's hand, his grip warm and reassuring. "No more daydreaming, Claire. Let's head over and eat."
Claire glanced up at him, her face lighting up with a mischievous grin. "Lucas," she murmured softly, beckoning him closer with a finger. He raised an eyebrow in mild curiosity but obliged, leaning down so she could whisper into his ear.
"I love you," she said, her voice barely audible yet brimming with sincerity. Her lips brushed against his ear as she spoke, and before he could react, she slipped her hand free of his and darted toward the dining room, her cheeks flushed a lovely pink.
Lucas straightened, a slow smile spreading across his face as he watched her retreating form. **She loves me**, he thought, savoring the words. He chuckled softly to himself, recalling how he'd held back earlier, toning down his own declaration of love for her. He wanted to shield Blaire from potential hurt, unsure of her true intentions despite her seemingly heartfelt apology earlier. Lucas hoped Blaire's feelings for him had shifted to the platonic admiration she claimed.
"Lucas! What are you waiting for? Are you growing roots out there?" Blaire's voice carried over, cutting into his thoughts.
Shaking his head with a smile, Lucas followed Claire into the dining room, where the table was already set.
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Claire was beginning to think she had misjudged Blaire. The younger woman seemed more well-meaning than Claire had given her credit for, though a touch of immaturity and a tendency toward diva-like behavior often clouded her good intentions.
"Claire," Blaire began, fixing her with a wide-eyed, almost childlike expression. "You better take good care of Lucas, okay? He's always been there for me, and I can't stand seeing him hurt."
Claire smiled politely and nodded, but in her heart, she thought, **If Lucas doesn't hurt me first, it'll be a miracle.**
"You're thinking something snarky, aren't you?" Lucas's low voice interrupted her musings.
Claire nearly jumped, turning to him with wide eyes. He didn't look up from his plate, but the faintest smirk played on his lips. How could he possibly know?
"Don't look so shocked," Lucas teased, ladling a spoonful of soup into her bowl. "You have this little habit of mumbling your thoughts out loud. It's like a built-in confession machine."
Her cheeks turned crimson. "I do not!" she protested, glancing at Blaire for confirmation. The younger woman grinned and nodded enthusiastically, clearly enjoying Claire's mortification.
Claire groaned inwardly. If there were a hole she could crawl into, she'd be halfway there by now.
"Lucas," Blaire cut in, steering the conversation back to business. "Have we finalized the scent profiles for the 'Liquid Diamond' launch? The event isn't far off."
"Not yet. It's still early," Lucas replied, his tone steady and unhurried.
Blaire frowned slightly. "Shouldn't we at least have decided on the target demographic? From what I understand, the 'Liquid Diamond' event caters primarily to affluent, high-society women. I think our design should reflect that exclusivity."
"Meaning what?" Lucas asked, finally glancing up at her.
"Meaning the fragrance should be tailored for sophisticated, wealthy women—women who embody elegance and opulence." Blaire's eyes shone with fervor as she presented her case.
Claire tilted her head, curious despite herself. "You mean like those ladies dripping in jewels and decked out in designer gowns? The ones who always look like they've just stepped out of a luxury magazine?"
"Exactly!" Blaire exclaimed, clapping her hands. "Last time, our 'Kiss Me Baby' scent was a global sensation. It was originally marketed toward young, vibrant women, but it transcended demographics. Everyone loved its fresh, enchanting aroma, which is why it topped the international fragrance charts."
Claire couldn't help but feel a pang of inadequacy. **Sarah definitely didn't mention any of this**, she thought, recalling how her coworker had often downplayed the company's achievements.
"Claire," Blaire said, her voice tinged with surprise, "you didn't know about this?"
"Uh, well…" Claire began, searching for the right words.
"She's new and still learning the ropes," Lucas cut in smoothly. His voice was firm, protective. "It's perfectly normal for her not to know all the details yet."
Claire's heart swelled at his words. **He's defending me.** For the first time, Lucas wasn't making her the butt of the joke or mocking her in front of others. Instead, he had acknowledged her inexperience without belittling her.
He nudged her bowl toward her. "Now eat. Your snail-like pace is concerning."
Claire giggled, her earlier embarrassment fading into warmth. "Lucas…" she whispered, her tone filled with gratitude.
But Blaire wasn't ready to give up her argument. "Lucas, what about the proposal? Focusing on an exclusive demographic could significantly boost profits and brand prestige. With your reputation as a master perfumer, it's a golden opportunity."
Lucas leaned back in his chair, his expression neutral. "It's a solid proposal, but let's table the discussion for now. We'll address it closer to the event."
Blaire's lips tightened, but she nodded, focusing on her meal.
Claire caught Lucas's eye and couldn't help but smile. Despite Blaire's polished arguments, Lucas had drawn the line, showing where his priorities lay. For the first time, Claire felt like more than just the awkward outsider at the table. She felt… valued.