Chapter 97
Chapter 97
The line went dead.
Winter clenched her phone so tightly her fingers hurt.
It was obvious Chris was doing this on purpose. The station had cleared a prime slot for the interview. They could fill it with other segments for a day or two, but they couldn’t drag it out. She had to get this
done soon.
She wasn’t going to let Chris leave a stain on her career.
Right now, she didn’t have a better option. She would have to corner him in person.
Back at her desk, a news alert popped up on her computer. There would be a charity auction at the Windham Gardens tomorrow night.
The annual charity auction was a staple of Liono City’s high society, hosted in rotation by the city’s most prominent families.
She remembered the Zellers hosted it last year. She quietly ran through the major family names in her head until she landed on the Xanders.
If it was the Xanders‘ turn, then Chris, as head of the family, would undoubtedly be there. But at an event like that, guests were expected to arrive with a date.
She considered messaging Zac, but quickly discarded the idea. Zac was Chris’s best friend. Putting him in the middle would be unfair.
Her thumb hovered over her contact list, scrolling past Steve’s name several times before finally tapping
into his chat box.
“Whatever. Steve has never cared about playing fair anyway,” she thought.
“Tomorrow night, are you going to the charity auction?” She had barely sent the message when Steve
called.
“Winnie, why are you suddenly asking me that?” His voice came through with a smile. “Is it because you want to go and you can’t find a date p>
He understood her too well. He was quick, and he was sharp. Winter had to give him that.
She reminded herself she was the one asking for a favor, so she kept her tone polite. “So, are you going
or not p>
“If you’re going, I’m going.” Steve let out a sigh. “Even if I know you’re only doing this because of Chris, I’m still happy to be your date p>
Winter’s scalp prickled. She wanted to end the call as fast as possible. “Meet me at the entrance to Windham Gardens tomorrow night p>
+25 Bonus
Steve laughed. “Winnie, are you allergic to romance? I’ll pick you up outside your office tomorrow. ” The next day, after Winter coordinated with the camera crew, she got into Steve’s car.
“I booked a hair and makeup appointment,” she said from the passenger seat. “Take me there.” Steve raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. He started the car and drove to the address she gave him.
While Winter changed, Steve sat on a black sofa and flipped through a magazine. The sky outside was already getting dark.
The auction started in a little over an hour.
He had just turned a page when he heard a collective, breathless gasp from the staff. He looked up.
Under the soft, ambient glow of the studio lights, Winter stood before him. Her skin looked pale and luminous against the star–blue fabric of her off–the–shoulder gown. The dress highlighted the soft curve of her shoulders and the delicate, elegant lines of her collarbones. Her hair was left down in loose, effortless waves that moved like dark silk as she walked.
She looked like a siren that could steal your breath.
Steve narrowed his eyes. Winter’s natural complexion was so flawless and her features so refined that the makeup artist hadn’t needed heavy colors. A few light touches were enough to make her breathtakingly radiant.
Windham Gardens sat in the heart of the city, a quiet pocket in a luxury district.
Steve pulled the car to a stop. Before he could even round the hood to open her door, Winter was already stepping out, lifting the hem of her gown.
She shut the door behind her, only to freeze as Steve’s voice rang out from behind her, dripping with mocking amusement.
“Chris. What a coincidence p>
Florence
A passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she’s not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.