Chapter 107: Affection

Claire Grace stepped out of the elevator, her gaze immediately catching sight of someone struggling a few feet ahead. The figure, hunched slightly backward, was carrying an oversized cardboard box that obscured their view of the path ahead. Each step seemed precarious, as the person cautiously extended a foot forward, testing for obstacles. 

"Roy?" Claire called out in surprise, recognizing the silhouette. 

The man stopped in his tracks, turning his head just enough to peek out from behind the box. A familiar, sharp yet kind face emerged—it was indeed Roy Lin, her team leader. 

"Oh! Claire!" Roy greeted her with a warm smile, then gestured toward the black bag she carried. "What's that you've got there?" 

"These are fragrance materials Lucas needs for the new perfume blend," she explained. Her brow furrowed with concern as she glanced at the cumbersome load he carried. "Roy, put the box down. Let me help you. Walking like this is way too dangerous." 

Before he could protest, Claire approached and helped ease the heavy box to the ground. She knelt beside it and peeked inside, her eyes widening. "Wow, these are all cosmetic samples and perfume bottle prototypes! Did you bring this all the way up from the basement?" 

"No, no," Roy laughed, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I hauled these from the Creative Department. Blaire asked me to move her things to the room next to the president's office. Looks like she's planning to set up shop there." 

Claire froze. "Wait... Blaire's moving her office to the same floor as Lucas? Even next door?" 

Roy shrugged, clearly trying to keep the conversation light. "It might have something to do with the 'Liquid Diamond' launch. You know how seriously Lucas takes product development. Blaire is skilled in fragrance formulation, so maybe she wants to be close for more brainstorming sessions." 

Claire bit her lip, her heart sinking. "I feel so useless. Other than running errands, I don't know how to contribute. Even making coffee is something Lucas insists on doing himself." 

Roy placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Hey, don't think like that. Since you joined the company, Lucas has been in a better mood. He's even stopped yelling at employees as much. Trust me, you're more important to him than you realize." 

Claire blinked, her cheeks warming slightly. "You really think so?" 

"Absolutely," Roy affirmed with a grin. "Now, let's get this box where it needs to go." 

---

When Lucas Zeller heard that Blaire was moving her office into the space adjacent to his, he felt equal parts frustration and resignation. It was yet another example of Blaire's audacity, born from years of indulgence. She had been spoiled, and he knew it was his own fault for allowing her whims to go unchecked. 

Still, he reminded himself that Claire's quiet, steady presence balanced out the chaos. Without her calming influence, he might very well find himself caught in a never-ending cycle of conflict between Blaire and his professional responsibilities. 

The sudden trill of a phone interrupted Claire's thoughts as she organized documents on Lucas's desk. She frowned slightly at the unknown number flashing on the screen. 

"Who could that be?" she murmured. Apart from occasional calls from Lauren Wells, she rarely received phone calls at this number. Could it be a wrong number? 

Before she could answer, Blaire's sharp voice cut through the room. "Can you turn that thing off already? It's so loud!" 

Claire jumped, hastily pressing the answer button to quiet the ringtone. 

"Claire! It's me, Sarah!" a familiar, high-energy voice exclaimed from the other end. "You tricked me so bad! I can't believe you let me embarrass myself like that! You owe me a meal, no excuses!" 

"Sarah?" Claire asked, still processing the sudden burst of words. 

"Yes, it's me! You know what you did, so don't play dumb. Meet me at Golden Fortune for lunch, okay? And you're paying!" Sarah demanded before abruptly hanging up. 

Claire stared at her phone, bewildered, until a warm voice pulled her back to the present. 

"Was that a phone call?" Lucas's smooth tone came from behind her, accompanied by the reassuring weight of his arms wrapping around her waist. 

She turned her head slightly, a shy smile gracing her lips. "I thought you were in a long meeting. Why are you back so soon?" 

Lucas raised an eyebrow, his expression teasing. "I cut it short. Can't a man take his wife out for lunch?" 

Her cheeks flushed as she glanced toward the adjoining room where Blaire was settling in. "Lucas, Blaire is right next door. You should let me go before she starts another argument." 

Lucas smirked, unfazed. "Let her argue. Who cares? Now, who called you?" 

"Sarah," Claire replied softly. 

"Sarah… Oh, the one who's always full of energy?" Lucas recalled. "What did she want?" 

"She asked me to join her for lunch," Claire said, her eyes flickering with hesitation. 

"Then go," Lucas said firmly, his warm gaze melting her doubts. "Take the afternoon off. Go enjoy yourself." 

"Really?" Claire turned to face him fully, her surprise evident. 

"Of course," he said, pulling out his wallet. From it, he handed her a sleek credit card. "Use this. Buy whatever you want." 

Claire's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Lucas, you're too good to me!" She leaned up to kiss him, their affection palpable. 

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of furious eyes glared at the intimate scene from the other room. Blaire's jealousy simmered as she clenched her fists, her mind already plotting her next move.