Chapter 4 — When Ice Meets Silk
Judy leaned on the bar beside me, her drink swirling lazy circles between her fingers.
"So… Alaric," she said, eyes scanning me sideways. "What's your angle?"
I met her gaze dead on.
"Who says I have one?"
She smirked, sipping her drink.
"Everyone in Night City's got an angle."
I let a slow grin curve my lips.
"Maybe mine's seeing if I can keep you guessing."
For the first time, Judy laughed — soft, husky, real.
"Careful. I don't spook easy… but I don't fall easy, either."
[System Notice: Judy Alvarez — Interest Level +15 — Emotional Curiosity Triggered]
I lifted my glass.
"Then here's to finding out who blinks first."
We clinked again — a little harder this time.
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I felt her watching me as I sipped.
Her gaze flicked down my chest, lingering a second longer than necessary.
[Passive Trait 'Heartbreaker' — Subtle Attraction Field Active]
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And that's when she arrived.
A soft voice — velvet over glass — slipped in from behind.
"Well, well… Judy. Who's your new friend?"
I turned.
Evelyn Parker.
Porcelain skin, sharp cheekbones, hair a cascade of midnight silk.
She moved like she owned every pair of eyes in the room — high heels whispering over the floor, a smile balanced perfectly between amusement and invitation.
Judy gave her a look — half fond, half wary.
"Evelyn… this is Alaric. New in town. Big on confidence."
Evelyn's eyes raked me up and down — slow, measured.
She stepped in close — almost too close — lips parting in a sly grin.
"I like confidence."
[System Notice: Evelyn Parker — Interest Level +10 — Flirtation Threshold Met]
[Harem Quest Branching: Judy Alvarez + Evelyn Parker Potential Combined Path Unlocked]
I set my glass down.
"Good. I've got plenty."
Evelyn tilted her head, eyes gleaming like cut glass.
"Keep talking like that… you might get invited to the right table."
Judy rolled her eyes but didn't walk away.
Evelyn just smiled at both of us, stepping around to lean against the bar between me and Judy — bridging the space like she belonged.
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The system chimed in my ear.
[Seduction Chain Opportunity: Dual Interest Detected — Judy & Evelyn. Maintain Chemistry With Both for Unique Outcome.]
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I met Judy's gaze again — steady, certain.
"Guess I'm making friends tonight."
Judy snorted softly.
"Friends. Sure."
Evelyn let a low, musical laugh slip past her lips.
"Friends… or something more interesting."
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And just like that…
The game tilted in my favor.
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