Claudia was at a loss to understand why Aurora would think she had reconciled with Bennett. She typed a lengthy message, struggling to explain what had actually transpired that evening.

She had hoped for comfort from her close friend but was met instead with a cold sneer from Aurora. "You are truly naive!" she chided.

With Bennett dropping such hints, how could Claudia vent about him? Aurora even began to feel sympathy for Bennett, a man both handsome and affluent. Why should he be ensnared in a relationship with a woman so out of her depth?

Aurora had intended to offer Claudia some guidance but ultimately gave up.

Claudia's naivete seemed perfectly aligned with her denseness!

In the days that followed, Claudia didn't intentionally avoid Bennett, but she also didn't allow herself to be as close to him as before.

She kept her eyes averted from him, disciplined and proper, maintaining the stance of a dutiful partner. She could respect Bennett, but she dared not harbor any other feelings for him.

Bennett was scheduled for a business trip the following week. On that day, Jackson came over to personally hand Claudia Bennett's itinerary.

Without giving it much thought, Claudia accepted the schedule and said with her customary politeness, "Thank you, Jackson."

Normally, Jackson would respond with, “You're welcome. It's my job, Mrs. Dreskin."

But today, Jackson's demeanor was off.

“Thank you, Mrs. Dreskin. But the truth is, Mr. Dreskin has been pushing himself quite hard Lately.”

"What?"

Claudia was taken aback, suddenly alert. She wasn't oblivious; she understood the underlying message in Jackson's words.

“What's wrong with him?" she asked.

She hadn't noticed Bennett looking particularly fatigued. Hadn't he been his usual self?

Jackson's gaze was hesitant, as though he wanted to say something but thought better of it. Eventually, he revealed the truth, "Mr. Dreskin contracted chickenpox Last week and had a fever for three consecutive days. He was afraid you would worry, so he instructed us not to mention it to you."

Chickenpox?

A fever for three days?!

Claudia's heart skipped a beat, shock washing over her.

“Well... I had no idea."

The words took their time coming, caught in Claudia's tight throat. Jackson smiled and reassured her, "Mr. Dreskin kept this from you because he feared you would worry. But I've noticed that Mr. Dreskin's mood has been rather down lately, so I felt compelled to share the truth with you. Mrs. Dreskin, please make sure Mr. Dreskin doesn't learn that I was the one who told you!"

Claudia hurriedly agreed, "Rest assured. I won't let him know you were the one who informed me!"

“Alright, Mrs. Dreskin. I must return to the office now."