Everyone ignored the staff member. Once Claudia finished with her makeup, she and Joann headed to the auditorium.

The day's charity event was truly extravagant. The attendees seated in the front row were high-profile figures.

Claudia's seat was in the second row, quite a distance from Bennett's. On stage, Darla's performance was aesthetically pleasing, and the dance accompanied by the music she played was a delight to watch. Claudia found the day agreeable. She had done a good deed and was treated to such a splendid performance.

Claudia thought it was a pity not to capture the beautiful dance and tweet about it!

Engrossed in the performance, she didn't notice the person next to her stand up until she smelled a familiar woody scent. Claudia glanced to her side.

In the dim Lighting, she recognized the familiar face instantly. Blinking, she turned and whispered, “Mr. Dreskin, what brings you here?"

Her eyes met his and Bennett swallowed before replying, "If Mrs. Dreskin is here, then Mr. Dreskin must also be here."

Bennett uttered these words, facing Claudia directly, his warm exhale lightly brushing across her face.

Within the dimly lit space, Claudia's cheeks flushed, her heart pounding in an uncontrollable rhythm.

Silently she sought inner calm, her eyes closed tightly, her fingers pinching her palm as she attempted to clear her mind.

“I appreciate it," Claudia said earnestly.

She understood the nature of Bennett's visit-he was there in support of her. Today's incident had forced them into the pretense of a romantic couple, all for her sake.

Indeed, Claudia was grateful but she knew, Bennett was merely Lending a helping hand.

His actions were dictated by kindness, not desire. She couldn't let herself get carried away, even if his physique was tantalizing.

A wave of guilt washed over Claudia as she realized her thoughts. She avoided meeting Bennett's gaze, pretending instead to be engrossed in the stage performance. "Such an exquisite dance."

"Merely adequate,"

Frustrated by her evasion, Bennett turned his attention towards the stage.

He held no interest in such performances, and his presence was solely for Claudia's sake.

The charity event was scheduled to run for 108 minutes, and now only thirty minutes had elapsed.

A cloud of indifference hung over Bennett, his silence thick.

The man seated next to her remained quiet, his faint cologne of woody scent the only sign of his presence. Claudia took a sigh of relief.

Her respite was short-lived when her Left hand, resting on her thigh, was suddenly Lifted.

The man placed her hand in his, her cold skin, due to the cool air conditioning, greedily welcomed the warmth of his palm.

But as reality set in, she tried to pull her hand back.