The unwanted wife’s unexpected comeback

Chapter 103:

? ? ? ? ?

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.

Reyes," Alicia said, her

She offered Alicia a sweet smile.

Alice didn't respond immediately.

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

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

but Alice wasn't about to give up that

to rob her, but she wasn't going

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

strategy. There had to be a way to turn the tables. Just as I prepared to walk away, the murmurs in the room

"Mr. Ward?"

cut through the din, surprised and excited. She ran to the door. “Randolph said he was inviting you to dinner. He

long legs, he carried himself with an effortless elegance that spoke of a calm authority. His healthy complexion, contrasted against the dark fabric,

authoritative. He stepped forward, his gaze fixed solely on Alicia. “I can eat anywhere,”

back to him, she still felt the weight of his presence and each beat of her heart grew

be captivated by a man like that? Caden was one of the most handsome men in Warrington, and his good looks aroused the admiration of women of

next to Alicia without hesitation. Alicia sensed his presence immediately, although she kept her face impassive, moving her

at his subtle movement. Curiosity got the better of Mrs. Reyes. “Mr. Ward,

Mrs. Reyes, Caden coldly replied, “She’s

was a stunned silence. Everyone knew Joshua was Caden's half-brother. As for

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 them

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

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

Alice 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 smug

the drawer?” he joked, raising

huffed in annoyance, crossing her arms defensively. “No one's come in.”

brilliance, even tic-tac-toe seems like a challenge.