Aurora nodded in understanding. "You should talk to your father. I believe this could cause serious problems in the future. Despite your father's surgery, the doctor warned that without managing his stress levels, a similar incident might occur."

Claudia pressed her lips together. "I had the same thought. My father has never kept any secrets from me like this before. I'm worried that even if I talk to him, he still may not tell me the truth."

The two had always enjoyed a good father-daughter relationship.

Although it wasn't the first time Jace had kept something from her, this was the first instance where he had been so unyielding and obstinate about it.

That was why Claudia hadn't confronted Jace about it yet.

"I see." Aurora shrugged. "If he's going to be so stubborn, it will make it difficult to get him to open up."

They hadn't seen each other for a while and had some catching up to do.

During their meal, Aurora glanced at Claudia and asked, "You haven't been to any competitions this year, and you aren't performing either.

Are you planning on starting a family?"

Claudia nearly choked on her food and blushed. "No."

Aurora laughed, looking at her, and teased, "Why are you so embarrassed about it?"

Claudia responded briefly and swiftly changed the topic.

After the meal, they chatted for a while, then Claudia gestured to the waiter for the bill.

But he raised his eyebrows and said, "Someone has already paid your bill."

Bewildered, Claudia responded, "But I didn't settle the bill."

The waiter, seeing her confusion, feared that he might made a mistake and clarified, "Please give me a moment."

After saying that, the waiter ran away quickly.

As he disappeared, Aurora shifted her gaze from his retreating figure to Claudia, suggesting thoughtfully, “Could Xavier possibly have taken care of our bill?"

Claudia replied, "No way; that's impossible."

She barely knew him, and accepting such a gesture would mean she'd be indebted to Xavier.

Observing Claudia's innocent expression, Aurora smiled and said, "Why would it be impossible? He specifically dropped by to greet you, which I found very odd. It makes sense he covered our meal for you.

Does he have a crush on you?"

Claudia was so frightened that her hand shook, nearly causing the glass to slip from her grasp.

She steadied her glass on the table, shooting Aurora a stern look.