Chapter 6: Schemes and Stakes

Exactly as I remembered, unchanged after all these years.

A thousand memories flashed—childhood summers, whispered secrets. He was both a stranger and someone achingly familiar.

“Kid, I can tell—you don’t play by the rules. But guts aren’t enough. You gotta be clever, patient, know when to act weak. That’s how you play the big dogs, not get played yourself…”

His old words echoed in my head, a lesson from another life. I straightened, letting his advice settle around me like armor.

I let out a slow breath, my smile warming, more real. “Mr. Whitmore, it’s good to meet you. I’m Savannah.”

I extended my hand, my grip steady. The room watched, tension buzzing between us.

“Is this really our first time meeting?” Harrison’s lips curled, gray eyes fixed on mine. “Doesn’t feel like it, does it?”

His tone was teasing, but his eyes searched my face for a flicker of recognition. My heart thudded, memories crowding the edges of my mind.

My heart stuttered—I thought he recognized me.

I fought to keep my face neutral, cheeks refusing to betray me. The past was a dangerous game to play here.

But he just smiled, easy and careless: “When you were born, I held you. You were tiny—like a snowball.”

He leaned back, posture relaxed, but his eyes stayed locked on mine. The room let out a collective sigh, the tension draining away.

His tone lingered, almost playful.

He spoke as if sharing an inside joke, inviting me to join the game.

Dad chimed in: “When Savannah was born, Harrison was nine. Childhood sweethearts, those two.”

He grinned at the memory, clearly pleased. I forced a polite laugh, feeling the expectations settle on my shoulders like a weighted blanket.

The waiter brought warm towels. As Harrison wiped his hands, a bloodstain caught everyone’s attention.

The crisp white linen turned pink, and the room went silent. Eyes flicked between us, curiosity mounting.