Ryder.

I wasn’t the type to attend fundraisers or charity events likethis.

If I wanted to secure a project like this, I didn’t need to sit through this bullshit. One phone call and it would be mine. I had zero interest in watching rich idiots compete over who could throw the most money at a cause they didn’t actually care about, just so the highest bidder or the person with the flashiest presentation could walk away feeling important.

The only reason I was here tonight was Freya.

I wanted to test her. Push her. See if she could actually perform under real pressure. That was what I told myself.

I...