Oops! My Secret Baby Is Caught By His Top-Lawyer Daddy! Novel

---- Chapter 168: A Lunch Made with Love Clara woke up slowly, lingering in that half-dream state. Her sleep had been long, heavy, and exhausting. She reached for the remote and drew the curtains. Warm sunlight spilled into the room, filling every corner. The bedroom was spacious and bright, clothes scattered across the floor. The air still carried traces of last night's passion, a lingering warmth that hadn't yet faded. She checked her phone. At the top was a message from Aaron: "Wake up and come to the office. Let's have lunch together." It was only eleven. There was no rush.

The thought that everyone else in the world was working while she could just relax felt heavenly. After tidying up a little, Clara wandered into the open kitchen. It was well-equipped, and suddenly she felt a spark of motivation to cook. She opened the fridge. Empty. ---- Well, simple would have to do. She quickly planned the menu: steak, pasta, and borscht. She called the hotel manager and arranged for the ingredients to be delivered. She blanched the tomatoes, peeled them, and tossed them in a pan with cabbage and tomato sauce, stirring until everything was blended.

She diced potatoes and added them to the soup pot. She set a fifteen-minute timer. Meanwhile, the pasta water boiled, and she added the noodles. Taking a quick moment, she texted Aaron: "No need to order lunch today. Today's chef is me." She drained the pasta, tossed it with seasonings, and set it aside. When the timer went off, the soup was nearly ready. She added two slices of cheese, a pinch of salt, a bit of sugar, and tasted it. Perfect balance. She finished it with a sprinkle of black pepper. Done. Next, she pulled the steak from its marinade and patted it dry with paper towels.

---- She heated olive oil in a skillet, seared the steak, flipped it after a minute, and added a splash of red wine. Finally, she plated everything with care. She drizzled the sauce over the steak, arranged the pasta, added lemon slices, and garnished with heart-shaped cherry tomatoes. The taste was important, of course, but presentation had to be beautiful. Once everything was packed, Clara returned to her room. She slipped into an elegant long-sleeved black dress, applied soft, delicate makeup, and added her favorite pearl earrings. Perfect.

By the time she reached the Edenfield Group lobby, Matt, Aaron's top assistant, was waiting. "Mrs. Devereaux! Right this way," Matt said, taking the insulated food bag from her. "Matt, long time no see," Clara said with a smile, following him into the private elevator. It was lunchtime. The lobby was bustling, and subtle glances flicked toward them. Matt was no ordinary assistant. While Tristan was off ---- duty, he functioned almost as the executive director, directly carrying Aaron's orders. Who else could make him wait in the lobby with such respect? The answer was obvious.

As the elevator doors closed, whispers filled the air: "She's stunning. Is she the chairman's wife?" "Obviously. Otherwise Matt wouldn't have personally come down to escort her." "Her presence is amazing. Is she some celebrity?" "No way. She looks familiar but not famous. And way prettier than those plastic-looking models." "Wealthy marriages are all about family background. She's probably from a prestigious family." "Her eyes are gorgeous. She just smiled at me and I nearly froze." "That black dress is so elegant. And those legs. I need one like that." "I could never afford it.

It would cost months of salary." "Pfft. Just because you can buy it doesn't mean it'll look good. The simpler the design, the harder it is to wear well. Look at her proportions." Matt led Clara to Aaron's office. "He is still in a meeting.