But after a few lingering glances, Claudia was caught. She heard him ask, his voice teasing, "Does it look good?" With her mind in turmoil, she blurted out, "Mr. Dreskin, are you seducing me?"

Bennett's dark eyes were filled with a faint smile as he Looked at her, challenging, "What do you think?"

Claudia felt a wave of embarrassment washing over her. She wished she could disappear from his sight at that very moment.

But she couldn't. She could only meet the man's smiling eyes, her cheeks flushed, and stammer, "Sorry, I'm not thinking clearly. I'm talking nonsense."

At that moment, Marcia appeared, announcing, "Mr. Dreskin, Mrs. Dreskin, breakfast's ready."

Marcia, you saved me! Claudia thought with relief.

Seizing the opportunity, Claudia exclaimed, “I... I'm going to have breakfast!" and fled to the dining room.

Watching her swaying ponytail, Bennett clicked his tongue and turned to go upstairs.

Marcia, confused, asked, “Mrs. Dreskin, are you really that hungry?" Embarrassed, Claudia responded, "Yes, I'm very hungry."

“Wait a minute, I'll bring your breakfast to you right away."

“Thank you."

Really!

In her haste to avoid the awkwardness of sharing a table with Bennett, Claudia finished her breakfast before he came down.

Marcia looked at Claudia, who was eating at twice her usual pace, and sighed. "It seems she’s really hungry!”

When Claudia went upstairs, she happened to pass by Bennett.

“Are you full?" he asked.

“I'm full," she replied.

When he stopped, she had no choice but to stop as well.

Claudia looked into his eyes, her heart trembling. "Mr. Dreskin, I was really talking nonsense just now. Please don't take it to heart."

Seeing her on the verge of anxious tears, Bennett sighed inwardly, replying lightly, “Well, I know you weren't thinking clearly."

“Yes, I'm not thinking clearly!" Claudia said, gratitude in her voice for his understanding.

“Go practice the piano, but I advise you not to sit down just yet; otherwise, it will be easy to..."

He glanced down, pausing at her belly.

Claudia subconsciously sucked in her stomach and squared her shoulders.