Chapter 11

Claire's legs were weak as she left.

But she tried to hold herself together. She didn't want Liam to notice and make things worse.

What did it matter anyway?

It was just a fleeting moment of passion. Over the past three years, Liam had tried countless degrading positions on her. This was just another one.

Besides, nothing really happened.

The hallway remained dim, still carrying the lingering scent of their entanglement. Claire picked up the fallen sandwich bag and the neglected violin, holding back her discomfort.

Dragging her weary body home, she was about to open the door when a voice called out, "Claire!"

The hallway light suddenly flickered on.

Claire saw a familiar face and murmured unconsciously, "Amanda?"

After a moment, she came to her senses. "How did you find this place?"

"I went to the hospital, and Amelia gave me the address."

Amanda lifted her chin. "I came straight from the airport. Get me something to eat. I haven't eaten in almost 12 hours. Airplane food is terrible!"

Claire opened the door and let her in.

As Amanda entered with her luggage, what she saw inside the house made her feel a pang of sadness. She turned to hug Claire.

Claire knew what she was thinking and couldn't help but choke up slightly. "It's okay, Amanda, really. I've gotten used to living here."

Amanda remained silent.

She knew Claire was lying. How could Claire get used to such a place? Claire was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Even the bathrooms at the Smith Manor were bigger than this.

After a long while...

When Amanda finally calmed down, she forced a smile, intending to lighten things up. "Would you make me some food while I take a shower? I'll stay here tonight. We haven't had a good chat in ages."

Claire couldn't help but hug her again.

Claire was an excellent cook. By the time Amanda finished her shower, she had reheated the sandwich and prepared two plates of pasta and a serving of sausages.

They sat down to eat.

At that moment, Amanda leaned closer to Claire and whispered, "While I was waiting for you earlier, I heard something in your hallway."

Claire looked up, feeling a sense of unease.

Amanda's expression grew more mysterious as she cleared her throat. "Someone was having sex in the hallway! It was too dark to see clearly, but I'm sure of it. The guy was really going at it, and the woman sounded so seductive. I bet he was good!"

Surely, Claire knew it was her and Liam in that hallway earlier.

She hadn't expected Amanda to hear them.

Of course, she didn't want to admit it, but Amanda had a keen sense of smell. Seeing Claire's unnatural expression, she leaned in for a sniff and caught a faint scent of men's cologne on Claire's neck.

Amanda's eyes locked onto hers. "It was you and Liam!"

Claire lowered her head and continued eating.

After a while, she softly responded, "Yes, he was here."

Amanda plunged the fork forcefully into her pasta as she hissed through her greeted teeth, "After everything that's happened between you two, he still wants to sleep with you? And doing it in the hallway? He acts so cold normally but plays around like this in private!"

Claire couldn't bring herself to talk about what happened in bed with Liam.

Feeling sorry for her friend, Amanda started cursing Liam and Sophie loudly.

Once she vented her anger, she placed her hand on Claire's and spoke seriously, "Amelia told me everything about your family. Claire, playing violin in those places isn't a solution. You need to preserve your dignity."

As Amanda spoke, she took out a cigarette.

Lighting it up, she took a slow drag.

Amanda was a stunning model. When she smoked, there was something alluring about her face that drew people in.

She looked up at Claire.

After a long pause, Amanda said, "Why don't you go to Carl's place? It's a proper six-star hotel. Performing there means better audiences. I've already talked to him. Your performance fee is $2000 each night, and you'll have four days off each month."

Claire knew about Amanda's dealings with Carl.

Thus, she wanted to refuse.

However, Amanda was unusually firm about it.

With her red lips around the cigarette tip, Amanda exhaled smoke, nonchalantly saying, "Don't worry. I slept with him ages ago. It's not about sacrifice or anything!"

Claire felt too embarrassed to respond.

Amanda patted her hand. "By the way, do you remember Mr. Blake? I heard there's a big shot back home who set up a project fund and invited him back to lead it, on the condition that he mentors the big shot's lover!"

Claire nodded lightly. "I know. It was Liam who invited him."

Amanda was stunned. "So that lover is Sophie? Why can't this pair of contemptible individuals leave you alone? If it weren't for that accident back then, you'd have gone abroad with Mr. Blake for advanced studies by now instead of serving Liam, that jerk!"