[ooc: Some days, I can get back to things quickly, and sometimes, tags sit for four days. But I do eventually get back to everything. And I will backtag into forever, so there's that.]

As uncomfortable as it is to witness the frostiness between father and daughter, he's been in the same position far too many times to count. And so, it's easy to busy himself with the papers in front of him, only glancing up when he's addressed, murmuring that he'd be honored to join them for dinner, and that he's sure that he'd be fine, but if he has any questions or anything in particular, he knew who to ask.

And then, the older man leaves, and Matthew and Claudia have the room to themselves. He takes a deep breath, and he stands more fully, back straight, nodding as he offers his response. "I would have sent word beforehand, but I too was a bit blindsided by my visit. Thank you for having me."