Claire had barely stepped out of the bathroom when she spotted Lance standing in the hallway. He was leaning against the wall, smoking like he owned the place.
She nearly jumped out of her skin.
Seriously? Was he stalking her now?
Claire took a step back, glaring. "Lance, are you out of your mind?"
Did he really follow her all the way to the bathroom? Did he think there was something magical about the air out here?
"Where are you living right now?” Lance asked, crushing his cigarette underfoot, his eyes fixed on her.
Claire frowned, putting even more space between them. "Why do you care?"
"You were my sister for eighteen years. Am I not allowed to ask how you're doing?" Lance frowned too, like he couldn't believe how prickly she was acting.
"Save that fake concern for Cindy," Claire shot back. "She's your real sister, remember? You don't need to worry about me."
Lance looked her up and down, almost amused. “Are you jealous?"
Claire's eyes widened. She could barely believe what she was hearing. "Are you even listening to yourself?"
"Why would I be jealous?"
"Because I care more about her," Lance said, suddenly serious.
The look on Claire's face made it pretty clear she thought he was delusional. He hated that.
"Do you really hear what you're saying?" Claire was done with this conversation. Lucky for her, the bell rang at that moment.
"Class is starting. Don't waste my time," she said, turning to leave.
She barely made it two steps before Lance grabbed her arm.
Claire clenched her jaw, fighting the urge to flip him right then and there. "Lance, let go."
He didn't. Instead, he held out a set of keys. “This is for my apartment nearby. You can move in if you want."
Claire stared at him. Was this a joke? He'd been nothing but a jerk these past few days, always picking on her, and now he suddenly wanted to help?
"It's just a place to stay, not a gift. Don't get any weird ideas," Lance added, obviously reading her thoughts.
"Wow, thanks for the offer, but I don't want it," Claire said, her voice dripping with
sarcasm.
Silverpeak wasn't just a school.
There were villas on the
mountainside and apartment buildings close by for students. Lance's parents had bought that apartment for him when he was in high school, just to make his life easier.
But when it was Claire's turn,
Octavia never let her stay there. She had a driver take Claire to and from school every single day. Octavia was convinced that letting a girl live alone would only lead to trouble.
"Claire, I know you've always been stubborn. But renting a place and taking the bus every day really isn't better than just staying at the apartment." Lance paused. "You know where it is. Just move your stuff in. But one thing, don't bring anyone over." Content bétongs
Claire rolled her eyes. "I told you already, I don't want your apartment. I have somewhere to stay."
"Are you deaf, Lance? Can't you understand plain English?"
Lance's scowl deepened. He clearly didn't appreciate being yelled at. He remembered when Claire was little, all soft cheeks and sweet smiles. She was nothing like that now.
"I know you made twenty million from that Agarwood pillow or whatever, but don't think that's a ton of money. In Silverpeak, you can't even buy a villa with that. You should be careful with your money."
He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked off.
Claire almost threw the keys at his back but stopped herself at the last second.
She hurried into the classroom, passing Cindy's desk on the way. Without slowing down, she tossed the apartment keys onto Cindy's notebook.
"Here. These are for Lance's apartment across the street. Do me a favor and give them back to him."