In all honesty, the necklace wasn't that important to her. If the request had come from someone else, she probably would have considered it.

However, Kayla was the last person she wanted to do any favors for.

Besides, if the necklace really was a favorite of Kayla's mother, she could have her mom talk to Bennett directly.

If her mother were to make the request, Claudia would certainly consider parting with the necklace.

But giving it up just based on Kayla's say-so? That wasn't going to happen.

Who knew what Kayla would ask for next? Today it was a necklace.

Tomorrow it might be Bennett himself.

Claudia wasn't naive enough to fall for such tactics.

Bennett ran his fingers through her long hair.

“Don't worry about it.

Kayla's mom may be older, but that doesn't mean she'd contend with you for a trinket."

Kayla attempted to leverage her mother's reputation to ask for something from Bennett and Claudia.

What she failed to consider was that some boundaries should not be crossed, like pitting the older generation against the younger.

Bennett caught onto Kayla's deceit but chose not to call her out on it, a nod of respect to her mother, perhaps.

Upon hearing Bennett, Claudia felt the same realization.

“Exactly,” she said, her lips curling into a satisfied smile, her eyebrows arching. A twinkle of triumph was visible in her eyes.

In response, Bennett offered her a warm smile.

Glancing at her wristwatch, Claudia noticed the time.

"It's already 8:30. Time to head home?"

"How about some Late-night snacks?" Bennett asked.

Claudia declined with a shake of her head. Late-night eating was never her thing. Besides, it's a surefire way to put on some weight.

“In that case, let's go home," Bennett remarked.

“Sounds Like a plan," Claudia responded.

Her gaze drifted down to her hand, cradled gently in Bennett's, and she felt her heart swell with warmth.