The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 103:

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At the gaming table, Alice was outmatched by Mrs. Reyes.

As if that were not enough, Mrs. Reyes was not her only opponent; the others had subtly and unequivocally formed an alliance against her.

Tensions mounted as round after round slipped through his fingers, and his losses numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

Alice squeezed her cards tightly, realizing that she couldn't rely on her skill alone to beat them.

His eyes narrowed as he shifted his attention from the letters to Mrs. Reyes herself.

It was absurd how Mrs. Reyes seemed to win every hand.

Not even the luckiest person could have won so many times in a row.

Alicia's keen eyes soon picked up on a pattern. Every time Mrs. Reyes played a card, she would casually raise her hand to support her head, twisting her jade bracelet in a practiced, almost mechanical motion.

Once or twice it might have been a coincidence, but it always happened without fail.

And what was more revealing: the other ladies only played their cards after Mrs. Reyes made this peculiar gesture.

Before long, Mrs. Reyes was back to sweeping the table, a smug smile on her lips as she carried off the winnings.

It was a trap, plain and simple.

Alice's gaze fell on her dwindling chips, frustration simmering beneath her calm exterior. If this continued, she would be out of every penny.

said, her tone

sparkled, as if she had been expecting it. She offered

Alice didn't respond immediately.

leaned forward with a hint of feigned sympathy. “You've

of the ladies even ventured: “Giving up for such a small loss, Mrs. Bennett? Please don't spoil the fun.

hit like a well-aimed arrow, but

may have conspired to rob her, but she wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of

“I need to freshen up. “We can continue when

a moment to compose himself and come up with a strategy. There had to be a way

"Mr. Ward?"

to dinner. He knew you were coming and booked the most exclusive

Caden entered. Dressed in a sleek black suit that accentuated his broad shoulders and long legs, he carried himself with an effortless elegance that spoke of a calm authority. His healthy complexion, contrasted against the

voice calm but authoritative. He stepped forward, his gaze

just risen from her seat, found herself instinctively sitting back down, her pulse quickening unexpectedly. With her back to him, she still felt

in Warrington, and his good looks aroused the admiration of women of all ages. They toyed with the idea of ​​flirting with him, with a thousand thoughts, although none

determined, and sat down next to Alicia without hesitation. Alicia sensed his presence immediately, although she kept her face impassive, moving her chair

the better of Mrs. Reyes.

Reyes,

silence. Everyone knew Joshua was Caden's

together so naturally, their proximity comfortable, yet somehow unsettling. The tension was palpable, although no one could pinpoint its source. Unspoken questions lingered in the air, but Caden's commanding presence silenced

Caden extended his leg, hooking it around the leg of Alicia's chair and pulling her

unfazed, his tone dry as he asked, “You're still as stubborn as ever. How much have

She was too slow. With quick efficiency, Caden reached the drawer first and opened it to look inside. His

into the drawer?” he joked, raising

arms defensively.

level of brilliance, even tic-tac-toe seems