UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Chapter 12

Saturday night, Serena and I arrived at Mr. Carter’s private estate.

The estate sat just outside the city, sprawling and palatial. Luxury cars lined the entrance, and faint music and laughter drifted from within.

Serena wore a black, low-cut evening gown with a high slit, revealing her long legs, each step a siren’s pull.

She held my arm, her smile flawless, though I knew how heavy her heart was.

Mr. Carter’s eyes lit up the moment he saw her.

“Ms. Reed, welcome! You’re the star of the night.”

His gaze roamed over her unabashedly, as if stripping her with his eyes.

I clenched my fists, tamping down a surge of anger.

Serena replied with a sugar-sweet smile:

“Mr. Carter, you’re too kind. It’s an honor to be here.”

Her voice was syrupy, like a performance.

The party flowed with drinks and an air of seduction.

Some guests were already flushed and loud, their crude laughter turning my stomach.

Mr. Carter led Serena around to greet people, and I followed like a shadow.

Suddenly, a familiar silhouette emerged from the crowd—Alexis Chase.

She wore a tight white dress that traced every perfect line; the curve of her chest flickered under the lights, her presence too strong to meet head-on.

She came over, her gaze skating over Serena and me with a hint of mischief.

“Liam, Serena—you made it. Looks like tonight will be fun.”

Her voice was low, teasing, as if hinting at something more.

My heart kicked; my mind flashed back to that day at the office—her shirt half-open, the outline of lace, the cloying sweetness of her perfume.

Sensing my shift, Serena tightened her grip on my arm and smiled even sweeter.

“Ms. Chase, you look stunning tonight.”

Alexis smiled and turned to Mr. Carter.

“So, when does the game start? I heard you’ve planned something special.”

Mr. Carter laughed. “Ms. Chase knows me well! Tonight’s game is Truth or Dare—plenty of thrills!”

He clapped, and the game began.

The rules were simple: draw Truth, tell the truth; draw Dare, do the dare.

At first, everyone laughed and joked, but the atmosphere quickly turned strange.

When Serena’s turn came, she drew a Dare. Mr. Carter beamed. “Ms. Reed, your task is to give every gentleman here a kiss.”

My heart stopped for a beat; heat slammed into my skull.

Serena’s face flickered, then smoothed over. She smiled with practiced allure.

“Mr. Carter, what an interesting challenge.”

She went around, giving each man a kiss—feather-light, yet edged with provocation.

When she reached me, she paused, her eyes complicated. Her lips touched mine, tasting faintly of wine, like a secret she couldn’t speak.

When it was Alexis’s turn, she drew Truth. Mr. Carter asked,

“Ms. Chase, have you ever had feelings for anyone here? If so, who?”

Alexis’s gaze swept over me; her lips curved with meaning.

“Yes. Liam. He’s young, has potential—impossible not to want to get closer.”

Her voice was low, almost daring.

The room erupted. Serena’s arm tightened, a flicker of displeasure in her eyes.

My heart pounded, my head a blur.

The game continued, but all I could see was Serena and Alexis.

Serena’s coolness and Alexis’s tease burned like twin fires in my chest.

Rival Flames