The ring started at a million, and Jamie's opening bid instantly doubled the price.

Her boldness drew a noticeable shift in the way others looked at her. In that moment, Jamie was no longer just Ben's companion. She stood out as an individual.

Ben's eyes flickered briefly with surprise, but it quickly settled into a sense of quiet admiration, as though this was unexpected yet entirely in line with what he had imagined of her. In the end, Jamie won the ring with her two-million-dollar bid.

Though the price far exceeded what she initially planned to spend, she didn't regret it.

When the item was delivered, Ben took it for safekeeping. "You seem to like this ring a lot."

"Well," Jamie replied, her tone evasive, "you said the auction proceeds go to charity, right? So, it's not really a loss, is it?"

Jamie lowered her gaze, her lashes brushing against her cheeks as her eyes swept over the red velvet box. Her response was evasive, her expression unreadable.

Ben frowned, his well-defined fingers reaching out to gently smooth the crease between her brows.

Jamie flinched, startled. Her wide eyes locked onto his, a mix of surprise and confusion written across her face.

the tension faded. "I don't like it when you frown," he said, his tone casual yet inexplicably sincere. "You look better when you smile." Jamie blinked, caught off guard. The simple remark held an unspoken weight, and for a brief

peripheral vision drew her attention. Her pupils dilated, and her body stiffened. Suddenly, she gasped, her voice

"Winnie!"

hand shot to her shoulder, holding her back before she could rush forward. His gaze followed hers as he turned

a black dress moved through

furrowed. He caught only a glimpse before the figure disappeared. She looked so much

brows knitted in thought, his mind flashing to the surveillance footage he had

make sense of it, a pungent, acrid smell filled the

froze. "What's

darkened.

Jamie's wrist, he pulled her

BOOM!

followed by an eruption of flames. The entire villa-turned-winery was quickly engulfed

from inside as

heart pounded in her chest, and she clung to the sense of relief that she had

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