Too Late Mr. White! I'm Married To Your Rival Now novel Chapter 293

Sylvia's POV

I couldn't help but smile as I watched Claire with her mother. In that moment, I saw exactly where Claire had inherited her fiercely generous spirit.

Once Mr. Bennett had excused himself to join his business associates, only Mrs. Bennett, Claire, and I were left in our cozy—if rather opulent—corner of the hall.

I'd been quietly worried that we were keeping the Bennetts from mingling with the other guests, but the second her husband's back was turned, Mrs. Bennett let out a genuine, relieved sigh. "Finally, he's gone! A man hovering about ruins all our girl talk, doesn't it?"

Claire huffed in unmistakable agreement, nodding vigorously. "Exactly! Dad's always so stiff with all that business chatter. Poor Aria could barely keep up!"

Mrs. Bennett reached for my hand, her touch warm and unexpectedly maternal. "Claire calls you Aria, so I hope you won't mind if I do the same, dear? And please don't pay Mr. Bennett any mind—he's spent far too long in the corporate world; he can't help putting on airs, bless his heart."

"I don't mind at all, Auntie," I replied, feeling a flush of slight embarrassment bloom on my cheeks, yet utterly touched by her warmth. "It's a pleasure."

Mrs. Bennett, incredibly enthusiastic, kept my hand in hers as she launched into questions about my hobbies and interests.

Before I could even open my mouth, Claire jumped in, bubbling with excitement: "Aria is amazing, Mom! She's a professional pianist and she's won tons of jet ski competitions!"

"How truly wonderful!" Mrs. Bennett's eyes lit up, sparkling with delight. "I'll have my assistant keep an eye out for any new grand piano models or top-of-the-line jet skis on the market—as a little welcome gift from me to you."

"Oh no, Auntie, you're far too kind!" I protested quickly, a fresh wave of heat rising to my cheeks. "That's really, truly unnecessary. Claire has already given me so many lovely things!"

"That's from her, not from me!" Mrs. Bennett waved her free hand dismissively, as if swatting away a fly. "Don't you dare feel pressured—money is absolutely no object for us, dear. You're such a beautiful young woman, and seeing you here, making Claire so happy, makes me happy! If I didn't think you'd find it dreadfully strange, my husband and I would have offered to make you our adopted daughter!"

I was completely taken aback, rendered speechless by her sheer generosity and effusive nature. "Auntie, you and Mr. Bennett are far too generous. What I did was nothing special. I'm friends with Claire simply because she's a joy to be around, that's all."

"All the more reason to give you a gift!" she insisted, her grip on my hand tightening with conviction. "Claire is so particular, you see—she doesn't bring many true friends home. In all these years, she's only introduced us to a handful. If you're Claire's friend, I absolutely must give you something!"

Seeing my flushed, overwhelmed face, Mrs. Bennett seemed to reconsider her approach, a twinkle in her eye. "Perhaps a piano or a jet ski is a bit much for our very first meeting. How about this—what style of clothes do you like? Or which designer brand do you prefer for clothes or handbags? I'll pick something truly lovely as a modest welcome gift."

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