---- Chapter 6 Ava needed money. Her escape fund for Portland was growing, but not fast enough. The medical bills from the accident, even with insurance, were piling up. 2 Maya found her a freelance gig. A rush job. Designing a program and some digital assets for a big charity gala. "The pay is excellent," Maya said. "But the client is. demanding." Ava took it. She could handle demanding She received the brief. The "Visionaries Ball." Hosted by the Vance Foundation. Chloe Vance's family. Of course. The contact person for the project? Ethan Reed. He was "volunteering" his "expertise" to help Chloe's family. Ava almost threw her laptop across the room. This was a setup. Another one of their twisted games. The first meeting was at the Vance Foundation headquarters, a sleek, soulless building downtown. Ethan was there, looking important, sitting beside Chloe at a large conference table. Chloe smirked when Ava walked in. ---- "Ava, so glad you could do this on such short notice," Ethan said, his voice smooth and professional. "Chloe and her family really appreciate it." "It's just a job, Ethan," Ava said, sitting down, opening her portfolio. The meeting was a nightmare. Ethan nitpicked every design choice. "The font is too... harsh, don't you think, Chloe?" "The color palette feels a bit... depressing." "This layout is... confusing." Chloe echoed his criticisms, adding her own vapid suggestions. "Can we make the logo bigger? And add more glitter?" Ava gritted her teeth and made notes, her professionalism a thin shield against their taunts. She needed the money. She just had to get through this. At one point, Chloe leaned over and whispered something in Ethan's ear. He laughed, then pulled Chloe onto his lap and gave her a long, showy kiss. Right there. In the middle of the meeting. The foundation staff in the room looked away, embarrassed. Ava just stared at her notepad, sketching a new layout, pretending they didn't exist. She felt a dull ache in her chest, but it wasn't heartbreak. It was... weariness. She was so tired of their games. ---- After the meeting, as Ava was packing up, Ethan approached her. "Good work today, Ava," he said, that fake sincerity back in his voice. "Despite the... creative differences." "l aim to please the client," Ava said, not looking at him. "There's a follow-up event tomorrow night," Ethan said. "A pre -gala reception for the major donors. Chloe wants you there. To take notes, get a feel for the 'vibe'. Ava's stomach churned. "Is that really necessary?" "Chloe insists," Ethan said, a hint of challenge in his tone. "And the pay includes attendance." He was enjoying this. Enjoying her discomfort. Ava nodded curtly. "Fine. I'll be there." She needed every penny. The pre-gala reception was at a chic hotel rooftop bar. Ava stood in a corner, notebook in hand, trying to look inconspicuous. @ She saw Ethan and Chloe holding court, schmoozing with wealthy donors. Later, she needed to use the restroom. As she walked down a quiet corridor, she heard voices from a slightly ajar service room. Chloe's voice, giggling. "Ethan, stop, someone will hear us." Ethan's deeper laugh. "Let them. You're mine, Chloe. Everyone should know." Ava froze. She couldn't see them, but she could hear ---- everything. The rustle of fabric. Soft moans. Whispered words too explicit to ignore. They were in there. Together. Not even trying to be discreet. Ava backed away, her heart pounding. The rawness of it, the blatant disrespect, hit her harder than any of the public displays. This was real. This was what he was. She stumbled back to the rooftop bar, her mind reeling. She felt... numb. Like she'd taken too many punches and couldn't feel the next one. 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