Sylvia picked up the smallest cards earlier, but this round she had hit the jackpot. Turning to Gabriel, she asked, “They’re all different this time, you still in?”

Gabriel eyed her curiously, “Different how?”

She whispered, “None of the suits match.”

Gabriel took a deep breath, leaned in closer, and patiently explained, “You only need to worry about suits when you’ve got a straight, like a 3-4-5 or 6-7-8. What you have is called a ‘set’—all three cards have the same number.”

Sylvia listened intently, murmuring, “Why didn’t you teach me before?”

Gabriel said casually, “You need a strong mind to gamble, to control yourself. Otherwise, it’s easy to lose your grip. You were too young back then, not ready to learn.”

“But Nightingale learned,” Sylvia whispered.

“Comparing yourself to her? She’s single-minded, and you?” Gabriel chided coldly.

“I’m focused when I learn things. When have I ever gotten distracted?” Sylvia retorted, feeling indignant.

“Nightingale never talks back,” Gabriel pointed out.

Sylvia fell silent.

over, smiling, “What’s this secret chat about? Speak up,

blossoming like spring, “He’s just saying

for effect before adding, “Could be

the spirit.” Magdalen tossed a chip into the pot, “I’m

round, nearly

Emily folded, Marina raised the stakes, and after exchanging glances,

and only

threw in five chips with a laugh, “With cards this good, why not

“Indeed, if I lose, it’s Mr. Foster’s

moment, and the room erupted

folded, smugly reclaiming her

leaned in to see –

hard she doubled over, “Mr. Foster, that’s quite

lost her nerve, I could have taken this hand

bravest young masters

at her amusedly, “Is

smile was enigmatic, “Cultural references, huh? You

it was down to Evelyn and

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