7
The gala was in full swing. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, and the air buzzed with conversation.
I was leaning against a pillar in the corner, nursing a glass of champagne, scanning the room.
Evelyn was here, just as I’d predicted. Her male “best friend,” Idris Vance, was by her side, standing a little too close. He was grinning like an idiot. Evelyn’s expression was neutral, but she wasn’t pulling away.
On the other side of the room, Vivian was flitting from group to group like a social butterfly, but her eyes kept darting in my direction.
The comments were right on cue.
[HOLY CRAP! The whole cast is here! Let the games begin!]
[Look at Idris smirking like the cat that got the cream! Evelyn, you can do better!]
[Vivian is still trying to catch his eye. That woman has no shame.]
[Damien’s just brooding in the corner? Get in there and fight for your woman!]
[Place your bets! How long until Damien loses his cool? I give it five minutes!]
[Can’t wait to see him punch Idris in his smug face! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!]
Idris spotted me. A smirk played on his lips. He put an arm around Evelyn’s waist and started walking toward me. She tensed but didn’t resist.
They stopped in front of me.
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Chapter 2
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“Damien,” Idris said, raising his glass in a mock toast. “Heard you made a big decision today. Congratulatio- ns on your newfound freedom.” He glanced pointedly at Evelyn. “Evelyn and I are both very happy for you.”
Evelyn said nothing, her eyes, full of complex emotions, fixed on me.
The comments exploded.
【Idris is starting a war! Kill him! Damien, do something!]
[He’s using Evelyn as a weapon! My poor girl!]
【Damien’s face is pure ice. He’s about to unleash hell.]
Vivian scurried over, playing the part of the concerned ex. “Idris, Evelyn, I don’t think this is the time to be provoking Damien. He’s in a lot of pain right now…‘
Idris sneered. “Pain? Or just plain stupid? Letting a woman like Evelyn go…”
Vivian immediately stepped in front of me, as if to shield me. “Mr. Vance, you watch your mouth! You have
no right to speak to Damien like that!”
The comments were a chaotic mess.
[OMG! The villainess is protecting the hero! This is peak drama!)
【Idris is fanning the flames and Vivian is pouring gasoline on them! A match made in hell!)
【Damien, tear them apart!]
【What’s taking so long?! Why isn’t he losing his mind?! This is so out of character!]
[Oh no, he’s been triggered into a catatonic state.]
I looked at the three of them. The provocateur. The actress. The silent observer. It was like watching a circus
act.
I smiled. I had been planning on a quiet night of networking, but if they were so determined to hand me a
victory, who was I to refuse?
I pulled out my phone and tapped the screen a few times.
The massive display screen at the front of the ballroom, which had been cycling through corporate logos, suddenly flickered. It cut to a hidden camera video.
The angle was discreet, but the image and sound were crystal clear.
It was Idris and Vivian, sitting in a private lounge.
The comments froze for a split second, then erupted.
[???? THE BIG SCREEN???]
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Chapter 2
[HOLY CRAP HE’S PUTTING IT ON THE BIG SCREEN?! WHAT IS DAMIEN DOING?!]
[Is that… a hidden camera?!]
[WARNING! WARNING! SOMETHING BIG IS COMING!]
【This wasn’t in the original novel! What’s going on?!
