Chapter 101

Just at this hour... Don’t tell me it’s overtime again. Claire pulled her car over and picked up the call. “Hello, Mr. Archer.” “Come back for a bit.” Julian’s steady, slightly serious voice came through the line. “…Alright.” She ended the call, sighed, and made a U-turn. When she parked and got upstairs again, she dropped her bag off at her desk, then rushed to his office. Standing at the door, she took a moment to steady her breath before knocking. Julian was just closing his laptop and getting to his feet. He glanced up at her and said dryly, “You sure clocked out fast.” Claire: “...Huh?” He saw me leave? Can’t be. His office door was shut the whole time. She even turned back to look when she left. Then it hit her—she wiped her flushed face with the back of her hand. Their offices were so close, and she took her time coming back. Of course he’d notice she’d run. Ugh… “I had something to do today, so I clocked out on time,” she said, emphasizing “on time” to make it clear she didn’t