◆◆◆ Chapter 3 ◆◆◆ The tech industry’s annual gala was the event of the season. I walked in on Cody Willian’s arm, wearing the deep crimson gown he’d had delivered to my apartment that afternoon. The fabric clung like liquid silk, slit high on one thigh, back plunging low enough to make breathing feel dangerous. Every eye in the grand ballroom tracked our entrance.“They’re staring,” I murmured, pulse already fluttering.“Let them.” His hand settled possessively at the small of my back, thumb brushing bare skin just above the waistline. “You’re beautiful, and you’re with me. They should stare.” His voice dropped. “Relax, Sloane. Enjoy this.”The night felt surreal. We moved through clusters of tech giants, venture capitalists, and rival CEOs like we owned the room, which, in Cody’s case, wasn’t far from the truth. He introduced me simply as his “companion,” no elaboration, letting the ambiguity do the work. I shook hands, smiled, accepted compliments on the dress, all while hyperawar
Last Updated : 2026-02-27 Read more