The host stepped back to the podium. "We will begin with the open pledges. Please, use your tablets to enter your amounts. The leaderboards will update every ten seconds."
The screen flickered to life.
Harrison: $500,000 Marcus: $100,000 Serena Vale: $250,000 The numbers climbed rapidly. The room was filled with the frantic tapping of glass screens. Then, Chad Dortmund raised his hand, signaling the tech booth.
Chad Dortmund: $2,000,000 The ballroom broke into applause. Two million dollars was a statement of pure dominance. Chad looked over his shoulder at Dante, his lip curling. "Your turn, Dante. Don't keep the orphans waiting. Even a twenty-dollar bill gets your name on the screen."
Dante didn't pick up a tablet. He simply sat there, watching the screen.
"What's the matter?" Serena
