"So when are we heading home?"

Claudia didn't want to be the reason he fell behind on work.

"How about after Lunch?" Bennett proposed.

“Fine by me.”

Just as he was about to speak, his phone interrupted the moment with a ring.

Taking the cue, Claudia shifted her focus to her own phone.

A message from Aurora flashed on the screen. "Did the lingerie work? How'd it go?"

Claudia sighed, clearly at a loss for words.

“Don't even get me started!"

She sent back an irate reply.

Unconsciously, Claudia's gaze drifted towards Bennett as she remembered her naive question about his cold shower, feeling her cheeks grow increasingly warm.

Shielding her flushing face with a hand, she composed a sincere message to Aurora, asking, “When will you return to Linmarsh?"

Aurora set aside the jokes. "After I grab Lunch. How about you and Mr. Dreskin?"

Claudia offered, "So are we. Want to join us for the journey back?"

A quick rejection came from Aurora.

“No way! I'd rather carry my suitcase and walk all the way back than travel with you two. I've had enough of witnessing your lovey—-dovey moments in public!"

Embarrassed, Claudia had to reply, "Alright."

Just as she was about to place her phone aside and head to the bathroom to collect her things, Amalia rang her.

The unexpected call surprised Claudia because she knew that typically, after a competition, Amalia would respect her aversion to celebrations and not contact her.

In all their years of acquaintance, this was only the second time Amalia had initiated contact after a competition.

“Amalia? What's going on?" Claudia asked in confusion.

“Hey, girl! Are you still at the hotel?"

"Yes, we're still here. Is there an issue?"

Over the phone, Amalia sounded noticeably worried. "Yesterday, you became the subject of various Twitter trends. Right now, a Large number of reporters are gathered at the hotel's main entrance, eager to see you. I would advise against leaving your room for now if you're still in the hotel."