Hold on... is she really talking about me?
My mind raced with the realization, but I kept my composure, offering her a subtle smile. Clara went back to eating her entree, and neither of us spoke for a brief, comfortable moment.
Signaling the waiter, I ordered my favorite warm chocolate pastry for dessert. When it arrived at the table, I turned to Clara with a light chuckle. "We should definitely share this. Eating the entire portion by myself would be way too much sugar. Will you grant me the pleasure of sharing dessert with you?"
Clara looked at me with a skeptical glance, though a soft smirk played on her lips. "Why do you always make things sound so cheesy and dramatic? Sharing a pastry isn’t that big of a deal, is it?"
"Well, I usually don’t share my food or eat anything touched by others besides Sera," I replied smoothly, looking straight into her eyes. "You’re actually the very first person I’ve ever offered to share with."
I picked up the dessert spoon, carefully slicing a small piece of the warm, decadent pastry. Extending my hand across the table, I held the spoon up to her lips. She hesitated for a split second, her eyes flickering to mine, before softly taking the bite.
Without hesitation, I used the exact same spoon to scoop up another bite for myself.
"Hmm..." I hummed thoughtfully, savoring the rich flavor. "I honestly don’t know if this pastry is just naturally incredible, or if it tastes better because of the spoon."
Clara blinked, looking genuinely baffled. "How on earth could a spoon make a pastry taste more delicious?"
"A normal spoon can’t," I grinned, showing her the light pink trace of her lipstick resting on the silver curve. "But a spoon with your lipstick mark certainly can."
Clara’s face flushed a delicate shade of crimson. She quickly looked down at her lap, trying to hide her blushing cheeks.
[System Notification: Target Clara Carter’s feelings have deepened!]
[Affection Increased: +5 | Loyalty Increased: +5!]
[Current Status: Affection 65/100 | Loyalty 65/100]
Seeing the System chime pop up alongside her flustered reaction, my smile widened.
After finishing dessert, I requested the bill. The total came to 1,000,000 Stardollars for the exclusive private dining experience. I paid it without batting an eye, triggering my 3x luxury cashback perk, which immediately credited 3,000,000 Stardollars back into my personal account.
Leaving the hotel, we walked out to Clara’s sports car. Since Seraphina had taken my car earlier in the afternoon, Clara offered to drive me back to Grandview Villa.
However, as we were driving along the coastal highway, I noticed the quiet riverbank glowing under the moonlight. "Pull over and stop the car for a second," I said.
Clara looked at me in confusion. "Why? Is something wrong?"
"No, nothing’s wrong," I smiled, stepping out into the evening breeze. "Get out of the car."
She parked on the curb and stepped out, wrapping her light coat tighter around herself. "Why are we stopping here?"
"Do you see this river?" I asked, pointing toward the wide, shimmering water.
"Yes, I’ve driven past it hundreds of times," she replied, raising an eyebrow. "Why?"
"Have you ever actually stopped your car just to take a quiet walk down here?"
Clara gave a small, dry chuckle. "Mr. Chairman, unlike you, I don’t have a brilliant team of executives handling my workload. I’m usually working."
I laughed softly, reaching out and gently taking her hand in mine. "Well, if you don’t have people letting you enjoy life, I’ll become the person who makes sure you experience all the simple joys you’ve missed out on."
I slowly interlaced my fingers with hers, holding her hand firmly as we began strolling along the peaceful riverbank walkway.
"Tell me, Clara... how was your childhood?" I asked gently.
Clara fell silent for a few paces, looking out over the water as the wind played with her hair. "It wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t terrible either. My mother passed away when I was very young, and my father was constantly absorbed in building Carter Holdings. As far back as I can remember, every conversation I had with my father revolved around one thing: he would either scold me for coming in second place, or praise me for coming in first."
She let out a faint, quiet breath. "I hated being scolded. So, starting from the second grade, I made sure I never came in second place again. I worked until I came first in every single exam, competition, and project I ever entered."
I stopped walking, turning to face her with a look of genuine awe and sympathy. "Always first? Clara, that must have been exhausting... I can’t even imagine how much pressure and hard work you had to carry on your shoulders all by yourself."
Clara froze. She stared at me, her clear eyes wide with an expression of someone who had waited her entire life just to hear those exact words.
"Is something wrong, Clara?" I asked softly.
She quickly blinked, looking away as a soft, radiant smile broke across her face—not her guarded corporate smile, but the most genuine, breathtaking smile I had ever seen on her.
"No... nothing’s wrong," she murmured softly. "It’s just... that’s the very first time anyone has ever acknowledged my hard work. My father, the board members, the media... they always just say it’s expected of ’Carter Holdings’ heiress.’ No one ever stops to think that even though I’m an heiress, I’m still just a human being who had to stay up all night studying, making business proposals, and sacrificing her sleep just to win."
I looked into her eyes with deep warmth. "Well, am I enough to understand you now? Or do you still want someone else to get it?"
Clara gave a light, elegant snort, turning her head with a teasing smirk. "I never said that! You’re making things up in your head again."
"What do you mean by that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
She walked back toward her sports car, looking over her shoulder with a playful sparkle in her eyes. "Figure it out yourself, Mr. Chairman! And if you ever find the answer, come tell me."
She got into the driver’s seat, rolling down the window with a gorgeous smile. "Your villa is just down the road—take a short walk or grab a taxi. I’m heading home!"
Waving at me, she stepped on the gas and sped off into the night.
[System Notification: Target Clara Carter’s feelings have deepened significantly!]
[Affection Increased: +5 | Loyalty Increased: +5!]
[Current Status: Affection 70/100 | Loyalty 70/100]
Smiling at her vanishing taillights, I flagged down a local taxi to take me the remaining distance to Grandview Villa No. 1.
When we arrived at the estate gates, the meter read 80 Stardollars. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a crisp 500 Stardollar bill and handed it over. "Keep the change."
The driver gasped, bowing repeatedly in gratitude as I stepped out into the courtyard.
My mind was entirely focused on Clara. From our conversation by the river, I realized what she truly needed. More than contract deals or corporate power, Clara just wanted one day where she wasn’t CEO Clara Carter or the heiress to an empire—just a day to be herself.
Entering the main living room of the villa, I found Seraphina sitting comfortably on the plush sofa alongside her father, Mr. Lin.
"Hello, Mr. Lin," I greeted warmly, walking over. "How are you feeling today?"
"Julian, my boy!" Mr. Lin said apologetically, starting to stand up. "I’m so sorry for dropping in unannounced like this—"
"Please, don’t apologize at all," I interrupted gently, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You’re always welcome here."
Seraphina smiled softly at me. "The doctor said his physical recovery would be much faster if he stayed in a warm family environment, so I brought him here to settle in."
"Of course," I nodded. "Why are you explaining? This is your home, Sera. Do whatever makes your family comfortable. I’ll hire a team of private full-time nurses to manage his physical therapy and medications right here at the villa."
"Oh, no, no, Julian!" Mr. Lin waved his hands quickly. "Don’t waste your money on private nurses! As you can see, I can walk, talk, and eat fine on my own. I’m eating all my green vegetables, and the doctor said in two weeks I can even go back to eating meat!"
I chuckled warmly. "It’s no trouble at all, Mr. Lin. Having professional care will just give us peace of mind."
After chatting for a bit longer, I excused myself and headed up to the master bedroom. A few minutes later, Seraphina walked in, quietly closing the door behind her.
"How is your father doing?" I asked, looking up from the edge of the bed.
"He was exhausted from the trip, so he’s already fast asleep," she answered gently.
I glanced at the grand clock on the wall. "Ah, I didn’t realize how late it got. It’s good he’s getting proper rest."
Seraphina walked over, sitting beside me and resting her hand on my knee. "You look deep in thought, Julian. Is something on your mind?"
I pulled her closer, detailing everything that happened with Clara—from the lunch to the walk along the river, and her childhood under her strict father.
Seraphina listened attentively before letting out a soft, melodious laugh. "Julian, you’re making this way too complicated! It’s actually very simple."
"It is?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Of course," she smiled sweetly, resting her arms over my shoulders. "Plan a special date for her—incorporate all her favorite things, take her somewhere where she can completely forget about corporate pressure, and make her feel truly seen. That will make her happier than anything else... and it’ll give you the perfect moment to officially confess your feelings to her."
I stared at Seraphina for a second, overwhelmed by her unwavering understanding and wisdom.
A tender smile broke across my face. I pulled her flush against my chest, leaning down to press a deep, loving kiss to her lips. "Love... what on earth would I do without you?"
"You’d be completely lost," she whispered playfully against my mouth.
Unbuttoning my shirt, I pulled her under the soft silk duvet, diving into a warm night filled with affection, untroubled by tomorrow, while a flawless date plan for Metro City’s beautiful CEO took shape in my mind.