Chapter 1

My childhood friend, Ryan Sinclair, fell from grace and ended up working as a male escort.

I felt sorry for him, so I booked him night after night.

In six months, I spent a small fortune and made him the top earner at the club.

On the night of his "debut" auction, everyone assumed I'd be the one to take him home.

But before the bidding started, I overheard him talking to someone in the stairwell.

Someone asked, "That rich girl's dropped nearly three million on you in six months. You sure you want to jack up the price on her tonight? What if she walks?"

He said, "Relax. She's so in love with me, and she's got more money than sense. Just keep raising the bid."

Did he actually think I was in love with him?

I just felt sorry for his situation.

Besides, what self-respecting heiress would actually fall for a club host?

*****

With a cold expression, I strode back to the private room.

The manager, Mia Hill, hurried over as soon as she saw me. "Ms. Evans, I've been looking everywhere for you."

She personally opened the door, ushering me inside while calling out to the room, "Hey, boys, perk up! Our honoured guest is here."

Everyone in the room rushed over in unison. "Welcome home, Ms. Evans."

I scanned the room, keeping a straight face. Sure enough, Ryan wasn't here.

With everyone crowding around me, I took a seat and asked, "Where's Raymond? It's his birthday bash. Shouldn't the guest of honor be here?"

Mia glanced around, her smile freezing for a second before quickly returning. "He heard you were coming, so he's backstage getting ready. Wants to surprise you."

Leo, the club's top host, sidled up to me. "Ms. Evans, word is you're about to drop thousands of dollars to win Raymond tonight?"

I shot him a look. "Got a problem with that?"

"Wouldn't dare." He grinned and leaned in closer. "That stuck-up prince only ever gives you the cold shoulder. Why not give me a chance? I promise I'll pamper you way better than he ever could."

The other hosts caught on fast and crowded around me, practically blocking me in.

"Ms. Evans, here, let me freshen up your hands with a warm towel."

"Ms. Evans, today's imported cherries are super sweet. I picked out the juiciest ones for you."

One guy even stripped off his shirt, showing off his ripped abs. "Ms. Evans, I heard you like guys who look lean in clothes but are jacked underneath. I've been working out just for you."

Seeing all the fuss, Leo pushed his way through and dropped down on the carpet at my feet, gazing up at me. "Ms. Evans, your feet must be tired from those heels. Why not let me take care of them? Rest them on my lap."

I leaned back on the sofa, took the cherries, and popped one into Leo's mouth. "Alright, since you guys are working so hard, everyone gets a Golden Bonus."

The whole room erupted in cheers, and they all started trying even harder to please me.

Watching these guys fuss over me, I couldn't help but smile with satisfaction.

Spending money on people who actually appreciate it was pretty damn satisfying.

Suddenly, the door to the private room swung open. Ryan walked in, his black silk shirt unbuttoned enough to show off his delicate collarbones.

His makeup was heavier than usual, with his eyeliner winged out, giving him a wickedly seductive look.

He glanced at the guys crowding around me, his face instantly darkening. "Charlotte, can't you show a little self-respect?"

Seeing me frown, Leo jumped in before I could say anything. "Raymond, isn't it a bit disrespectful to call a guest by their name in our business?"

"What's it to you?" Ryan shot him a cold look. "She hasn't said a word. Who are you to butt in?"

Leo grinned and stepped up, reaching out to fix Ryan's collar. "Raymond, with that attitude, are you here to serve Ms. Evans, or to play the big shot?"

Ryan slapped his hand away. "Don't touch me. I'm not like your kind."

Leo didn't get mad. He pulled his hand back and shrugged at me. "See, Ms. Evans? He's out here putting himself out there, but still looks down on those of us who actually work hard for our money."

The room went quiet for a moment.

Just then, the door swung open again. A man walked in, followed by five women decked out in diamonds and designer labels.

The man in the lead strode in, his eyes immediately locking onto me. "Heard you're set on winning tonight, Ms. Evans. Mind if we crash the party?"

I recognized his voice. He was the one I'd overheard plotting with Ryan in the stairwell earlier.

I gave a faint smile. "Of course not. The more, the merrier."

Everyone took their seats.

Ryan strode straight up to the main stage at the front, chin raised, still rocking that classic cold demeanor.

Mia grabbed the mic and announced, "Today is Raymond's birthday, and it's also his opening night."

The crowd erupted in cheers and whistles.

Mia shot me a knowing look. "Everyone knows Ms. Evans has been backing Raymond from the very start, always sticking by him.

"No doubt, Ms. Evans is going to get the winning bid tonight."

I smirked and glanced up at Ryan on the stage.

He kept his chin up, refusing to even look my way.

Mia raised her voice. "Starting at 100,000 dollars. Bidding starts now!"

The youngest of the rich women in his group was quick to raise her paddle. "130,000 dollars."

"150,000 dollars."

"180,000 dollars."

The bidding slowly climbed to 260,000 dollars, but I sat there, not moving a muscle.

When the bid hit 300,000 dollars, the guy flashed me a mocking grin. "Ms. Evans, you're always so generous. What's the matter? Getting stingy now?"

Leo leaned in close, whispering, "Ms. Evans, they're trying to rile you up so you'll bid more."

I kept my cool. "600,000 dollars."

They shot back right away. "One million dollars."

"1.2 million dollars."

The rich women exchanged a look, then gritted their teeth. "1.5 million dollars!"

The whole room went dead silent with every pair of eyes locked on me.

Ryan finally looked straight at me, a faint, almost teasing smile tugging at his lips. "Why are you still playing coy? Go on, bid!"

I stayed silent.

He frowned, his tone turning commanding. "Haven't you always wanted me? Hurry up and raise your bid."

Leo tugged at my sleeve. "Ms. Evans, he's not worth that kind of cash. Why waste all that money on him? Give me three thousand dollars, and I'll show you what real service looks like, a hundred times better than him."

I turned to him with a smile. "Sure."

Before Leo could react, I grabbed the mic and announced, "I'm out."

The whole room was stunned.

Ryan's face went rigid, his eyes full of shock. "Charlotte, are you dreaming or what?"

I looked him right in the eyes, my tone calm. "I know exactly what I'm doing."

I pulled out a card from my bag and set it on the table. "There's 100,000 dollars on this card. All the drinks tonight are on me. Just think of it as a birthday present for Raymond."

Mia was the first to snap out of it, clapping her hands with a big smile. "Congrats to this lady for scoring Raymond tonight. And big thanks to Ms. Evans for treating us all."

Ryan rushed down from the stage and grabbed my arm, desperation in his voice. "Charlotte, add thirty thousand dollars more. Please, thirty thousand!"

I shook off his hand, snatched up my bag, and walked out.