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 cold

She offered Alicia a sweet

Alice didn't respond immediately.

feigned sympathy. “You've already lost enough. If you’re short on funds, we could

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

taunt hit like a well-aimed arrow, but Alice wasn't about

rob her, but she wasn't going to give them

break,” he said, rising gracefully from his seat. “I need to freshen up. “We can continue when

There had to be a way to turn the tables. Just as I prepared

"Mr. Ward?"

the door. “Randolph said he was inviting you to dinner. He knew you were coming and booked the most exclusive private restaurant.

himself with an effortless elegance that spoke of a calm authority. His healthy

authoritative. He stepped forward, his gaze fixed solely on Alicia. “I

from her seat, found herself instinctively sitting back down, her pulse quickening unexpectedly. With her back to him, she still felt the weight of his

their eyes. After all, who wouldn't be captivated by a man like that? Caden was one of the most handsome men in Warrington, and his good looks aroused the

to greet him, but Caden ignored her. He walked past her, his steps determined, and sat down next to Alicia without hesitation. Alicia sensed his presence immediately, although she

the better of Mrs. Reyes. “Mr. Ward, do you know

looking at Mrs. Reyes, Caden coldly

was a stunned silence. Everyone knew Joshua was Caden's half-brother. As for Alicia… Well, she was

unsettling. The tension was palpable, although no one

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

speechless. Caden remained unfazed, his tone dry as he asked,

moved her hand to protect the drawer, a reflex gesture that only seemed to amuse Caden even more. She was too slow. With quick efficiency, Caden reached the drawer first and opened it to look inside. His eyes scanned the scattered chips and a

into the drawer?” he joked, raising an eyebrow.

arms defensively. “No one's

smile deepened. “With your level of brilliance, even tic-tac-toe seems