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.

secret chat about? Speak up, let us all in

blossoming like spring, “He’s just saying my hand could go another couple

effect before adding,

chip into the

nearly

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

more rounds and only Marina, Evelyn, and Sylvia

“With cards this good,

looked supremely confident, “Indeed, if I lose, it’s Mr.

smile froze for a moment, and the room erupted

folded, smugly reclaiming her

see – her card was

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

remained unfazed, “If she hadn’t lost her nerve, I could have taken this

scoffed, “Even the bravest young masters don’t have

looked at her amusedly,

“Cultural references,

was down to Evelyn

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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