Chapter 2

The following evening, Julian took me to an industry networking gala.

As our car pulled up to the venue entrance, Chloe hurried over from the sidewalk.

"Julian, can I come in with you guys? I was going to wait nearby, but sitting around alone is so boring."

Before she even finished her sentence, Julian unlocked the car doors.

"Get in. It'll be a good chance for you to see how these events work."

I sat in the passenger seat, the seatbelt tightening uncomfortably against my chest.

"She's coming too?"

Julian glanced at me sideways. "We're already at the door. I can't just leave her outside by herself."

Chloe leaned forward from the back seat.

"If it's inconvenient, I won't go. I just heard Mr. Vance is here, and I wanted to ask if his firm is hiring."

She had been laid off recently and was hunting for a job. Julian had already promised to introduce her.

Before I could speak, Julian answered for me.

"It's no trouble at all. She's completely understanding about these things."

Hearing him call me understanding made my chest tighten.

---

"I'd like to introduce myself to Mr. Vance first," I said as we got inside.

I took a step forward, but Chloe suddenly caught Julian's sleeve. "Is he hard to talk to? I'm kind of nervous, can you come with me first?"

Julian looked at her, then back at me. "Can you handle going over by yourself?"

"Yes."

"Wait for me for a bit," he said, turning to lead Chloe away.

I stood there alone, my fingers slowly curling into fists.

Soon, a small crowd gathered around Mr. Vance.

Not far away, Julian was busy guiding Chloe.

He taught her how to hand out business cards, how to address people, and how to keep a conversation flowing effortlessly.

Those were the exact same skills he had once taught me.

During my very first gala, he held my hand and whispered, "Don't worry. I'll help you get wherever you want to go."

Now, he had left me behind and carried Chloe forward instead.

---

A little while later, Julian finally walked back over.

"Why are you still standing here? I told you to go grab a seat."

"I haven't had a chance to speak with Mr. Vance yet."

"You can do it later. The party just started."

Right then, Mr. Vance's assistant, Austin, walked up to us.

"Mr. Wade, Mr. Vance is leaving in ten minutes. He agreed to listen to one last pitch, though. Have you decided who's going in?"

I froze. "Only one person?"

Austin nodded. "His schedule is packed. He can only spare fifteen minutes."

I had spent two full months preparing for those fifteen minutes, even turning down offers from other firms for this opportunity.

Chloe glanced toward Mr. Vance.

"Maybe she should go first. She's been preparing for so long, and I just wanted to ask about job openings."

Before I could open my mouth, Julian pulled out his phone and opened the dice app.

"Since you both want to pitch, let's stick to our old rule. The highest roll gets the slot."

I stared straight at him. "This meeting was set up specifically for me."

"But Mr. Vance will only see one of you, and Chloe really needs this job right now."

"So you're giving away my opportunity?"

"I'm not giving anything away. A dice roll is the fair way to settle it."

My eyes dropped to his phone.

The loaded dice plugin was hidden behind a normal calculator app, exactly like the one I had seen on his tablet.

"I'm not rolling."

Julian frowned. "Don't make a scene here."

"This isn't a game."

"Do you really have to make everything awkward for everyone?"

Without waiting for my permission, he tapped the screen for me.

The virtual die spun a few times before stopping on one.

Chloe rolled a six.

Just like the last twenty-seven times, there were no surprises.

Julian slid his phone into his pocket. "The result is in. Chloe goes."

I looked him dead in the eye. "Are you sure about this?"

He heard me, but he avoided my gaze. "Rules are rules. Don't back out now."

"I never agreed to them.”