GHOSTED BY GOLD

, I never imagined I'd be tr

f her cramped art studio. Bright, abstract colors swirled across the space, her favorite brand of cha

n wobbled as she gestured emphatically, explaining the inspiration behind her latest piece. "You know, people don't realize how much heart

warmth of connection she got from her fans. Her online community wasn't just about art; it w

Ever thought about selling out and

no, thank you. Can't imagine any billionaire would

n, expecting another "exposure opportunity" pitch or, more realistically, sp

I just got a DM from... Tony Aldridge? Li

itement, a flurry of "OMG" and

g some random promotional gimmick, but what she saw made

ou for a mural at our headquarters. Ar

as she tried to read between the lines. Was

using his boss's profile to mess with me?" She laughed,

roommate, Lila, breezed into the

riled up?" Lila aske

phone. "Tony Aldri

n Valley himself. Isn't he the one who, like, never shows up t

"I can't decide if he's being seriou

is asking you to paint a mural, take the paycheck a

re right. But he doesn't exactly come across as approa

t Jade's TikTok, where comments were flying about the possible reasons Tony Aldri

Jade tapped

intrigued. What are you look

urprisingly, the r

s a raw, authentic energy, and t

eyebrows raised. "A billionaire tech guy a

es," Lila said, grinning. "