At five in the afternoon, Clara arrived at Matthew's office with a bag in hand.

Matthew was pleasantly surprised to see her. Clara rarely came to him on her own, so it seemed that his efforts to win her over were starting to pay off.

David, who had been in the office reporting on some matters, immediately sensed the situation and tactfully excused himself.

Matthew quickly set aside his work, bustling around nervously, offering her coffee and water, making sure Clara wasn't ...