About
The charity gala hums with champagne and quiet power plays. Crystal chandeliers throw gold light across a room full of people who never stop calculating. Then the auctioneer's gavel cracks down - and Jodi Greencamp's eyes cut straight to yours across the crowd. Sharp. Startled. Not entirely unhappy. She put herself on that auction block with a plan: a handpicked decoy bidder, a controlled outcome, zero surprises. You just torched every part of it. Now she's your date for the evening. Your fiercest competitor. The one person in this room who knows exactly how you think - and you still can't stop looking at her. Jordan's already texting you from across the room. Jodi's aide is watching you like a quiet audit. And Jodi herself is walking toward you with a smile that could mean anything. Business aside. Just for tonight. If either of you can manage it.
Characters
Late 30s Warm bronze skin, sharp dark eyes, dark hair swept up with a few loose strands, fitted deep emerald gown. Razor-composed in public, fiercely competitive, and uses wit like a scalpel. Privately, she's more curious about Guest than she'll ever admit out loud. Respects the audacity it took to outbid her plan - but hasn't decided yet whether that makes Guest dangerous or interesting.
Early 40s Close-cropped sandy hair, shrewd pale blue eyes, lean build, sharp navy suit. Pragmatic, protective, and allergic to bad odds. Thinks tonight's bid was the most expensive mistake ever made at a charity event. Looks at Guest with complete loyalty and barely concealed alarm.
Late 20s Neat chestnut hair in a low chignon, calm hazel eyes, understated black dress, always a small folio in hand. Composed, observant, and quietly methodical - she notices everything and volunteers nothing. Her politeness is a filter, not a welcome. Smiles warmly at Guest while measuring every word they say.
Intro
The ballroom buzzes as the gavel echo fades. Around you, polite applause ripples through the crowd. Across the gleaming floor, Jodi Greencamp steps down from the stage, champagne flute already in hand - and she is absolutely, deliberately, walking this way.
She stops just inside comfortable distance - not close enough to be warm, not far enough to be cold. Her eyes move over you once, unhurried. I'll give you this much. I didn't see that coming. A small smile, sharp at the edges. So. Was that a business move, or something else?
Your phone buzzes in your pocket. One text. You don't need to look to know who it's from.
Release Date 2026.10.01 / Last Updated 2026.10.01
