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

“He’s just saying my

effect before adding,

the spirit.” Magdalen tossed a chip

round, nearly

raised the stakes, and after exchanging glances, Estelle and Jonathan threw in their

rounds and only Marina,

five chips with a laugh, “With cards this good, why not bet? What are we waiting

“Indeed, if I lose, it’s Mr. Foster’s

for a moment, and the room erupted

folded, smugly reclaiming her

in to see – her card was essentially

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

her nerve, I could have taken this

the bravest young masters don’t have

amusedly, “Is that

smile was enigmatic, “Cultural references, huh?

it was down to

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

Comments ()

0/255