[WARNING! Unedited! Don't Buy!]
Across the room, she caught sight of Christian reentering the gala without Stacey. His hair was slightly disheveled, and there was a crease between his brows that deepened the moment he spotted her. He didn't come closer, not yet. Just stood there, his hands in his pockets, jaw tight, gaze flickering between her and the stage.
Lina tilted her head, met his eyes, and offered him the smallest, coldest smile she could muster. Let him stew in it. Let him wonder what she'd do next.
Because this time, she wasn't playing by his rules anymore.
As the auction continued, Lina remained seated, her posture poised and composed. The whispers around the room grew louder, the echoes of her million-dollar bid still reverberating. Though she appeared relaxed, her mind was sharp, calculating every move.
She could feel the eyes on her—some curious, some judgmental, and some admiring. A few murmurs reached her ears.
"Who is she?"
