Chapter 3

"Two hundred thousand and one dollar, from Mr. Hawthorne," the auctioneer announced, his voice hesitant.

He looked from Alex's calm face to Brittany's furious one.

"This is ridiculous!" Brittany spat. "He's making a mockery of this charity!"

"The bid is valid, Ms. Miller," the auctioneer said nervously.

"Fine!" Brittany snatched the paddle. "Two hundred fifty thousand!"

She was almost screaming now.

The crowd gasped. This was serious money, even for them.

Chad looked thrilled. He kissed Brittany's cheek. "That's my girl."

Alex waited a beat.

"Two hundred fifty thousand and one dollar."

His voice remained steady, almost gentle.

But the effect was electrifying.

A wave of murmurs swept the room. People were no longer just amused. They were confused, intrigued.

"What is he playing at?" someone whispered.

"He must be bluffing. He'll fold soon," another replied.

Brittany was shaking with rage. "You think this is funny, Alex? You think you can play games with me?"

"I am serious about supporting the children's hospital," Alex said.

"With my money!" she shrieked.

"I told you, Brittany. I have never used your family's funds."

Chad stepped forward. "Look, pal, why don't you just give it up? You can't afford this. Everyone knows it. You're just embarrassing yourself and Brittany."

He tried to sound reasonable, but his eyes were cold and mocking.

"The bid, Mr. Peterson, is with me," Alex said, not even glancing at him.

Brittany, egged on by Chad's supportive noises and the shocked faces of the crowd, felt a surge of reckless anger.

She would crush him. She would show everyone who held the power.

"Three hundred thousand!" she declared, her voice hoarse.

The room was utterly silent now.

Alex simply said, "Three hundred thousand and one dollar."

The repetition, the calm, the single dollar. It was infuriating. It was insulting.

Brittany looked like she was about to explode.

"He's insane!" Chad muttered, no longer looking so smug. A flicker of unease crossed his face.

"Four hundred thousand!" Brittany screamed, her carefully applied makeup starting to streak with her furious tears.

The auctioneer looked faint.

Alex waited for the noise to die down.

"Four hundred thousand and one dollar."

He was a rock, unmovable.

Brittany stared at him, her chest heaving.

She felt a strange, unfamiliar fear mixed with her rage.

He wasn't backing down. He wasn't cowering.

Chad whispered in her ear, "Don't let him win, B. He's bluffing. Call his bluff. Go higher."

Brittany took a shaky breath.

"Five hundred thousand dollars!" she announced, her voice trembling but defiant.

A collective gasp went through the room. Half a million dollars.

This was no longer a game.

Alex met her wild eyes.

"Five hundred thousand and one dollar."