So what? Just because you’re competitors on the floor doesn’t mean you can’t meet outside of it. And if you meet first, maybe
you can use some charm to your advantage, right? I’ve done some digging. While this guy hasn’t dated anyone before, he was in
love with a girl once. Guess what? She’s just like you!”
Jaycie froze for a moment, realizing what Megan was referring to. She hadn’t thought about this person since discovering they
were already friends on social media. She’d forgotten to text him, and the matter had naturally faded away in her mind.
But now that Megan had reminded her, Jaycie couldn’t help but wonder if that guy had added her as a friend because she was his
type.
She frowned slightly, and her initial interest in him faded a little.
It seemed like he wasn’t truly uninterested in having a girlfriend–he was simply still hung up on someone from the past. Was she supposed to be the stand–in for the girl he couldn’t forget? That didn’t sit well with her.
Jaycie didn’t mention any of this to Megan, knowing her aunt wasn’t aware of the deeper context. Instead, she gave a half-
hearted smile and accepted the invitation, choosing not to dwell on the blind date.
Little did she know, Megan interpreted her silence as consent. On the day of the bidding event, a car was already waiting for her
1/2
Chapter 16
outside the Stantons‘ villa.
“Hello, Ms. Stanton.”
+15 Bonus
A well–dressed man stepped out of the car and opened the passenger door for her. Jaycie stood still, not moving. “I haven’t asked
your name yet.”
He paused, lowering his eyes in a moment of quiet disappointment. After a brief silence, he answered, “My name is Zander Reed.”
With the introduction out of the way, Jaycie didn’t press him further. When he motioned for her to get in the car again, she complied and took the passenger seat. Once the door closed, he fell silent. Whether it was from anger or something else, he didn’t
speak another word.
Jaycie glanced out the window, her thoughts preoccupied with the name Zander Reed. She didn’t have any strong feelings about
the name, but it felt strangely familiar. She turned her head to look at him, but he was completely focused on driving.
She opened her mouth as if to say something but hesitated, unsure of how to begin. After a moment, she decided to stay quiet.
The car soon arrived at the venue. As Jaycie and Zander got out, she was about to head toward the entrance when she noticed that he hadn’t moved. He was still standing behind her. She turned around and met his gaze, which held a look of hesitation.
“Is something wrong?” she asked, her voice tinged with confusion.
He pressed his lips together, then looked directly at her. “Everyone else enters with their partner arm in arm.”
日
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