“You...”

One woman displayed visible annoyance.

The other woman, maintaining her composure, offered, "Miss Marshall, my third-grade niece is looking for a piano teacher. Since you're unoccupied, would you consider part-time work?"

“I mean no disrespect. I just admire your skill!" she added quickly, though the insincerity in her voice was palpable.

Claudia's eyes narrowed at the woman. "Alright, but my tutoring rates aren't cheap.”

“Money is of no concern. As long as Miss Marshall instructs my niece properly, all will be well!" The woman's voice rose deliberately, drawing a crowd of onlookers.

Surveying the audience, Claudia pronounced slowly, "Very well. I did accept a part-time position this month. My fee? Three million an hour I'll offer your niece a ‘special' discount of four million per hour. The class will span no less than twenty hours a week."

The woman's face paled, her prepared retort dying in her throat. Claudia inquired, “Something wrong? Is it too pricey? That's my standard rate, I'm afraid."

She shrugged, feigning sympathy. "If it's beyond your means, I can only say I'm sorry for your niece." Laughter erupted from some bystanders. "That's hilarious."

“A discount from three million to four million? That's a new kind of bargain!"

“Who does this woman think she is, asking Claudia to tutor her niece? Such arrogance!"

At that moment, Claudia saw a familiar face in the crowd and shouted, “Honey!"

The unexpected cry of “honey” from Claudia caught the attention of nearly everyone at the party. The moment Claudia's shout rang out, she felt a pang of regret. She gazed at Bennett, who was approaching her through the crowd, step by step, wishing she could vanish on the spot.

Bennett went straight to Claudia, took her hand, and inquired, "Have you been waiting here for a while?"

His eyes shifted to the glass in her other hand as he questioned, "Have you been drinking?"

Embarrassed, Claudia murmured, "Yes, but not alcohol. It's just juice." Delicious juice.

Bennett didn't correct her but simply said, “Okay.”

“Shall we head home?"

"Okay," she responded.

If she didn't leave now, she feared being engulfed by the curious stares of the crowd.

The two women who had earlier tried to embarrass Claudia had slipped away before Bennett's arrival.

Claudia hadn't sought revenge. She was still grappling with the embarrassment of having called Bennett “honey” so loudly before all these people.

“Is there money on the floor?" Bennett asked in a deep voice as they descended the stairs.

Claudia quickly raised her eyes to meet his. "No."