Chapter 16:

? ? ? ? ?

Alice had been playing cards for two hours and was starting to get bored. She decided to change games, hoping for a change of peace.

His luck soon improved. He won the first two rounds without much effort.

During the third round, a tall figure appeared behind her. The presence was strong and impossible to miss. Alicia didn't need to look to know it was Caden.

He walked past her and sat down, replacing the player in front of him.

Alice gathered her cards and gave him a small smile. “Mr. Ward, are you finally done with your busy schedule?”

Once Caden was settled, he collected each letter elegantly, exuding an air of refinement. Despite this, he fit into the casual atmosphere effortlessly. “I wasn't busy. “I just didn’t feel like seeing you,” he replied calmly.

Alice's lips moved in response.

Neither of them brought up the subject immediately.

“What happened to Lilliana’s face?” Caden asked casually, as if it were a trivial matter.

Alicia kept her explanation brief, given the other players around them. “He lost his temper and ended up hitting his face with my hand,” she said nonchalantly.

Caden paused for a moment before placing down a five. Alicia didn't hesitate. “Four twos,” she announced as she laid out the cards on the table.

Caden looked up and stared at her, lowering his voice. “Miss Bennett, I played a five.”

Unfazed, Alice replied, "So what? It's bigger than four twos?"

The silence that followed was deafening, leaving the other player visibly uncomfortable.

Caden threw his card on the table and passed his turn.

Alicia rolled a three.

a ten, trying to

cards, smiling as she declared, “I have

"Miss, you just threw a four. Am I not

calmly replied, “I’m aware

and Alicia, feeling awkward. “What a strange

Turning to Caden, she said, "Let's

on the game itself. He played another

round. She clapped her hands and said, “So, the deal to compose the song

a half smile before placing his cards face

you have? He had almost

cards were revealed, the player was stunned. “A straight flush? Why didn’t

say. She had silently rejoiced in her victory, only to realize that Caden had allowed it. Suddenly, the victory

to clear

looked directly at Caden. “Why did you let me win on purpose?”

interested in answering. Then, his lips curved into a slight smile. "Even if you beat me, it doesn't mean

abruptly, "Mr. Ward, you seem very proud

has earned my

his skills that impress you,” Alice said with a hint of sarcasm. “I thought you were

an eyebrow, unfazed by his comment. He accepted her words easily

by her sincerity. “Have you slept with your lover?” she

with his

Alice. She quickly corrected him: "I'm not his wife anymore. We're

the subject, but her flushed ears betrayed her. She couldn't shake off the memory of that night, no matter how hard she

lips as he watched her. She blushed so easily, and yet she had the

sudden divorce? Weren’t you making a fuss about that cheap ten-dollar ring

was speechless. Her comment had

was nothing more than a trinket. It was barely worth ten dollars, and now it was just

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