Clara Grant saw that Seth Quinn was still acting completely oblivious, even as she pinched his arm. All she could do was force a laugh and say, "Ha, haha, you misspoke, you misspoke."

As she spoke, she winked at him, signaling for him to correct himself.

Although Clara Grant’s pinch on Seth Quinn was subtle, Skylar Hayes still happened to see it. Judging by the force of it, she felt a pang of sympathy for Seth just watching. 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

She was just about to say something to get Seth out of his predicament when she heard him speak. "I didn’t misspeak. I may only be your boyfriend now, but we’re planning on getting married. After we tie the knot, won’t I have to call her Mom anyway? I’m just starting a little early."

"..."

Clara Grant was speechless. ’Since when can you correct yourself by saying it *ahead* of time?’

Skylar Hayes glanced at her daughter, then quickly chimed in with a smile, "Yes, yes, that’s right. You’d be calling me that sooner or later anyway. It’s all the same, and I actually prefer ’Mom.’ It feels more intimate. Clara, hurry and have Seth take a seat."

Hearing her mother say that, Clara Grant thought it over and agreed. They were going to "get married" in a while anyway. ’So what if he calls her Mom? Let him.’

Once Seth Quinn sat down, Skylar Hayes asked, "Clara, Seth, have you two eaten yet?"

"Not yet." Clara Grant didn’t sit down with Seth Quinn. Instead, she stood by Skylar Hayes, linking arms with her and saying playfully, "I came here specifically to get a free meal."

"What’s this talk about a free meal from your own mother? If you want to eat, you just come home, and Mom will cook for you," Skylar Hayes said, patting her daughter’s hand with a loving smile.

After saying that, she glanced at Seth Quinn and added, "I was in the middle of making dinner, but I’m a little short on dishes. You two wait here, I’ll go buy some more groceries and cook for you."

Clara Grant said, "That’s not necessary, Mom. I don’t mind a simple meal, but Seth Quinn definitely would. He’s a rich man, used to eating huge banquets with all sorts of exotic delicacies."

Then, she turned to Seth Quinn. "Seth, why don’t you just go home? If you eat here, you might not get enough, and we wouldn’t want you to go hungry."

Skylar Hayes lightly tapped her hand, chiding, "Honestly, the way you talk! We may not be rich, but we certainly wouldn’t let Seth go hungry. You two wait here, I’m going to the store right now."

"There’s no need, Mom." Seth Quinn stood up. "I’m not picky either. Whatever you’re having is fine with me."

As he spoke, he shot a glance at Clara Grant, a wry smile playing on his lips. "Besides, my usual meals aren’t exactly banquets of exotic delicacies."

"Alright then, I’ll go back to cooking. You two sit down and relax." Since he insisted, Skylar Hayes didn’t press the issue. They were all family, after all; there was no need to be so formal.

"Mom, I’ll come help you." Having failed to drive him away, Clara Grant trudged listlessly into the kitchen after Skylar Hayes.

With the mother-daughter pair working together—one as the assistant, the other as the main cook—they made quick work of the meal.

Clara Grant glanced at her mother and tentatively began, "Mom, you seem pretty happy with Seth Quinn."

Skylar Hayes glanced at her while stir-frying and smiled. "Of course I’m happy with him. I can see that Seth treats you well, and as long as he treats you well, I’m happy. Besides, have you forgotten? I’m the one who told you to consider him before. You could say my wish has been granted."

’Treats me well?’ Clara Grant thought for a moment. ’He... actually does treat me pretty well.’

After a moment, she spoke up again. "Mom, I haven’t told you this, but... Seth was actually the one who paid for all of Cherie’s medical bills."

Skylar Hayes replied with a simple, "Oh," as she dished the stir-fried food onto a plate.

’Oh? Just a simple "oh"?’

Clara Grant found that a bit strange. She looked at her mother in confusion and asked, "Mom, how come you’re not surprised at all?"