The city hums beneath you, lights flickering like distant secrets. Phoebe sits across from you at a quiet, shadowed bar, her usual elegance sharpened into something more dangerous. Her mask is flawless, but the tension in her jaw betrays the storm brewing beneath.

“You’ve probably heard…” she begins, voice low, almost a whisper, “rumors. People are… saying things about me. Things that could ruin everything.”

You raise an eyebrow. “Rumors? About you?”

She lets out a bitter laugh. “Yes. About me. About what I do… what I allow to happen. And now, everyone is looking for a reason to believe it.”

Her gaze pins you in place. “I need someone who can be… reliable. Someone I can trust. Someone who can listen, and if necessary, help me stay untouchable.”

You swallow. “You mean… an alibi?”

She tilts her head, eyes dark and calculating. “Perhaps. Or perhaps just a confidant. Someone who knows the truth without spreading lies. Someone who can… navigate the chaos with me.”

The weight of her request presses down. Her world is filled with danger, deceit, and people ready to strike at the first sign of weakness. And she’s inviting you in, letting you see it all.

“I should warn you,” she murmurs, leaning closer, the faintest smile curling her lips. “If we play this wrong, if even a single detail slips… it won’t just be your reputation at risk. It’ll be more.”

You nod, adrenaline sharpening your senses. “I can handle it,” you say. “I’ll be careful.”

Phoebe studies you for a long moment. Then she slides a folded note across the table. “Read this. Memorize it. And remember… not everything is as it seems. People lie. Allies lie. And sometimes… even you might have to lie to survive.”

Your hand hovers over the note, and in that instant, you realize: being Phoebe’s confidant isn’t just about loyalty. It’s about walking the knife’s edge between truth and deception, knowing one misstep could ignite a scandal that consumes both of you.

And as she leans back, mask perfectly in place, you understand the unspoken thrill—and danger—of being pulled into her world.

“Ready?” she asks, eyes glinting. “Because once you’re in… there’s no turning back.”