"Claire."

Claire looked up, then was surprised to see the man who had just approached her.

The man was also staring at her, but his gaze was different from Claire's. There was not the slightest look of surprise on the man's face.

"What are you doing here? I had asked permission from the office earlier, Sir." Claire explained. She was afraid that her boss would think she was being lazy by being absent from the office.

"I know," Jonas replied to Claire's words casually. Then the man sat down on the chair in front of Claire.

The woman was both surprised and astonished at what her superior was doing.

"S-sorry, sir. I was waiting for someone," Claire explained again. She deliberately did this to inform and subtly send her boss away.

It never crossed Claire's mind that her meeting with her future soul mate would be witnessed by her boss. Apart from being embarrassed, Claire also did not want Jonas to know about the business marriage she was about to have.

Yes. Today Claire deliberately asked for permission to be absent from the office to meet the prospective man who would be matched with her. That was her father's request yesterday.
What else can you do, Claire has no other choice but to be a filial child who obeys the wishes of her parents. Claire also did not want to be a disobedient child who could not return the favor and was considered unable to help a family that was in trouble.

For that reason, she dared to risk her future by accepting this business marriage. Love matters, let that be a later affair. The most important thing right now was to save the family company first. She already had a plan to make a prenuptial agreement that she would present to her future husband. Claire was sure he would agree.

At least that's what she thought a moment ago before another reality made her choke on the lemon water she had just gulped down.

Claire was still trying to soothe the pain in her throat from the lemon water when the man handed her a glass of water.

"Drink this," he said.

Claire took it and immediately gulped down half the glass.

"Wait! I didn't hear wrong. You're not mistaken?" asked Claire after finishing her drink. At the same time confirming what she had heard earlier.

"Mr. Frank Anderson specifically asked Bill Doubson, my grandfather, for help in saving his collapsing company. In return, my grandfather asked Frank’s daughter Claire Anderson to become the daughter-in-law of the Doubson family. Which meant that I, as the only single grandson, had to accept this arranged marriage." In one breath, Jonas explained at length to break down the woman's doubts.

Meanwhile, Claire struggled to swallow her saliva. Doubts and big question marks arose in her mind.

Marrying her boss? Is this good luck? Considering Jonas is a handsome, smart, and charismatic man. Although the man's age is not categorized as young anymore but tends to be mature. It was undeniable that all the women in his office building adored him.

Claire noticed Jonas in her glance. Scanning the appearance of the man who seemed to be sitting calmly in front of her.

No-no! This is a disaster! Disaster! How could Claire marry her boss? Moreover, there was not only her in the office, but also Hans who was her lover. Claire hadn't planned to tell Hans everything yet. Although Hans had to know sooner or later, at least not shortly.

Claire let out a rough breath. She was frustrated, confused, and unable to think.

In that mixed feeling, she glanced back at Jonas who still looked calm in his place, while sipping the black coffee that had just been delivered by the waiter.

"Sir. Did you just accept this arranged marriage?" asked Claire.

"Why not?" Jonas's brow furrowed in confusion.

"I mean, you look okay, you're well-established. So, why do you want to get married? Are you not marketable?"

Claire bit her lip as soon as the question escaped her mouth. Her mouth was sometimes uncontrollable.

How could she think like that, when she knew full well that all the women in the office building adored Jonas?

Jonas raised one eyebrow at the question. "You doubt my credibility as a man?"

Well, right. Now the man looked offended. Claire grimaced.

"No, no! That's not what I meant." Claire quickly refuted before offending the man further. "I mean, why would you want to be set up like this? I'm sure a man like you must already have someone special."

"I don't."

Between believing it and not, Claire frowned. "At least, there must be someone close to you, right?" asked Claire again deliberately she slipped in a little laughter to break the atmosphere that felt a bit tense.

"No," Jonas replied briefly, clearly and concisely.

Making Claire clench her mouth not knowing what else to say.

For God's sake, Claire couldn't believe her boss's confession. A classy man like that, there's no way there's no woman around him.

Claire smelled a conspiracy here. It was possible that she was just being used for the man's interests. Claire must find out, she thought, squinting at Jonas. Not remembering that this arranged marriage was much needed by her family.

"Then why did you agree to this arranged marriage?" asked Claire again. Now she focused her attention on the man. Not a single answer escaped her attention.

"I was just following my parents' orders," Jonas replied lightly.

That's it?

Claire chuckled softly. What an unsatisfactory answer for her.

"Why didn't you reject him?!" asked Claire again a little annoyed.

She couldn't figure out how a grown man could just comply like that.

"Should I reject it?"

"Of course!"

Jonas raised one eyebrow at Claire's rising voice.

Realizing this, Claire cleared her throat to disguise her voice. "I mean, this is the modern era. Isn't there no such thing as arranged marriage anymore?" Claire said softly. She controlled her voice as much as possible to sound polite.

"You're right."

Claire smiled at Jonas's reply.

"Then, I will cancel this arranged marriage."

"Really?" asked Claire with an incredulous smile.

"Yes. As you said. This is the modern era, it is no longer the era of arranged marriages."

Claire nodded in confirmation. A look of satisfaction was also evident on her face. She also displayed a smile.

She did not expect that this would go so easily. Now, she didn't have to worry about anything anymore. The family company was safe, without the need for a marriage.

Perfect!

Ah, it was not as complicated as she had imagined.

Claire was still smiling happily.

"Then, you don't have to worry. I'll talk to Grandfather about it." Jonas stood up from his chair. He took the cell phone he had placed on the table and put it in his pants pocket.

"Yes, that's how it should be." Claire breathed a sigh of relief. She also stood up. Still with the same smile on her face.

"I hope grandfather will immediately terminate the investment agreement so that Mr. Frank Anderson does not force you again."

"Yes, you are right." Claire laughed softly. But the next second... "What?!"