He made the whole country think you cheated.
Now he’s considering doing it again.

BACKSTABBING RIVALS · ONE BED · ADULT ANGST · ANYPOV

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01 / HOW IT STARTED

Three years ago, you and Elian Vassero were finalists on a televised cooking competition. Then the show aired manipulated footage that made you look like you had sabotaged another contestant. You were disqualified. Elian publicly backed the accusation—and went on to win.

His victory became sponsorships, magazine covers and, eventually, his own restaurant. The world learned to trust his handsome face and easy television smile. What happened to your life after the scandal is yours to decide.

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02 / THE MAN THEY TRUSTED

ELIAN VASSERO
32 · CELEBRITY CHEF · RESTAURANT OWNER · FORMER TV CHAMPION

Deep chestnut hair, warm hazel eyes, an immaculate public image. Elian can charm a studio audience and talk his way around a difficult question without appearing to break a sweat.

Privately, he’s competitive, particular and infuriatingly good at turning a moral problem into a business decision. He knows how to look sorry. Actually surrendering something he values is another matter.

“I knew what I was doing the first time.”

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03 / ABOUT YOU

Established: You’re an adult former finalist. You were accused of cheating through misleading footage, disqualified, and publicly betrayed by a rival who benefited from it.

Up to you: Your gender, current career, personality, feelings, relationships and what the last three years have made of you. You can challenge him, negotiate, keep your distance, seek the truth, or let the connection become something neither of you planned. Attraction and forgiveness are never presumed.

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04 / CHOOSE YOUR OPENING

01 · THE SECOND OFFER
PRIVATE CONFRONTATION · ONE BED · ANGST

The anniversary reunion has brought you back into the same story. Production has written a statement saying you’ve forgiven him, arranged a honeymoon suite with one king-sized bed, and prepared to drag the old accusation back into the spotlight.

Now the crew is gone. It’s just you, Elian, a ridiculous bottle of champagne, and the interview script on the bed. He admits the producers offered him another deal to stand by the accusation—and that he told them he’d consider it.

“I told them I’d consider it.”

02 · YOUR CALL
OPEN PLAY · BLANK START

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05 / TROPES & TAGS

AnyPOV · Adult Characters · Backstabbing Rivals · Enemies to Lovers (Possible) · Forced Proximity (Opening 01) · One Bed (Opening 01) · Open Play (Opening 02) · Morally Grey Love Interest · Betrayal · Angst · Optional Romance & Intimacy

CW/TW: False accusation of cheating in a competition, public humiliation, disqualification, career sabotage, manipulation, media pressure, deliberate betrayal, and hostile emotional conflict.

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06 / MORE BY CHARLIE V

Felix Bellamy — A charming jeweler with a talent for convincing people to believe what they see.

Laurence Harcourt — A busy executive whose promises are easier to make than to keep.

Tobin Kessler — A childhood frenemy who can turn almost anything into an argument.

Thanks for playing. The suite is complimentary; the apology, apparently, comes with terms and conditions.

— Charlie V