She used to get jealous-now she didn''t even bat an eysh.


    Heh. Isadora, do you really not care anymore?


    Sammy frowned. He was certain he hadn''t invited this woman.


    His tone was cold. "What are you doing here?"


    Elise''s voice was sweet and gentle. "Charlie, it''s your birthday. I came all this way just to celebrate with you."


    "Celebrate?" Sammy''s reply was blunt, almost dismissive. "I get it, your heart''s in the right ce. But you''ve seen the birthday boy now, so why don''t you head home?"


    He was making it clear he wanted her gone.


    Suddenly, Scales piped up from the couch, "Didn''t you just say parties are only fun with a crowd, Sammy?"


    Sammy instantly realized this was Scales'' doing, and shot him a re.


    He nced at the man lounging in the corner-Magnus.


    Magnus stayed silent, making no move to send Elise away.


    Fine. Why was he even bothering to care? Magnus deserved to be dumped by Isadora.


    Nte, a little tipsy, scoffed and blurted out, "Well, look who decided to show up -the homewrecker herself."


    The people nearby exchanged knowing looks, and the women couldn''t help but snicker quietly.


    Elise''s face flushed bright red.


    "Nte, I know you''re friends with Isadora, but that''s no reason to insult me like this."


    A clever line-subtly ming Isadora for Nte''s words.


    Nte smirked. "Insulting you is an insult, sure, but does it really need to be a special asion? Dressed like that, you''re clearly here to snare a man. Only a fool would fall for it."


    She shot a pointed look at Magnus.


    Scales let out a mockingugh. "You''ve got a sharp tongue for a celebrity. How about putting it to the test with a little game?"


    "Name it," Nte tossed back.


    Scales nced at Nte. The alcohol had brought a flush to her cheeks, and her lips looked especially red and tempting.


    His tone was taunting. "Winner gets to order the loser to either strip off a piece of clothing or kiss someone dare you y?"


    If she lost, he nned to kiss her senseless.


    Isadora rolled her eyes. This was obviously a game rigged against the women.


    She reached out, trying to pull Nte away. "Don''t y."


    But a tipsy Nte was beyond reason.


    "I''m in," she said.


    Isadora was stunned. Next time, she swore, she''d never let Nte drink in public again.


    As they started gathering yers, somehow Isadora was dragged into the game too.


    "I''ll join as well," a deep voice murmured from the corner-Magnus.


    Seeing Magnus enter, Elise grew anxious. "Count me in, too!"


    And just like that, the game began. The host handed out cards.


    First round, Ms. Linden lost.


    Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.


    Being the first to face a penalty, people went easy on her. She could choose: strip or kiss someone.


    Ms. Linden fidgeted for ages before squeezing her eyes shut and pointing toward the man next to her.


    He grinned and grabbed her, pulling her in for a passionate French kiss, ignoring her weak protests.


    Isadora watched the scene, feeling a little anxious as things heated up.


    When she turned away, she suddenly found Magnus''s gaze fixed on her, his look unreadable.


    She quickly averted her eyes.


    Ugh, she thought. She had no intention of stripping, and there wasn''t a single man here she wanted to kiss.


    Maybe she could quietly slip away to the bathroom and escape this nonsense.


    But what about Nte?


    Just as she was considering her options, Sammy''s voice rang out, loaded with meaning.


    "This round, Isadora loses."


    Isadora''s face went rigid.


    The guy who''d won the round knew all about her rtionship with Magnus. Not daring to ask her to strip, he said simply, "Isadora, pick someone to kiss."