Female Novel
Chapter 140
Triston had just received a stern lecture from Branden, and he was finally behaving himself. NowTriston sat obediently beside Aidan. He kept sneaking glances in the direction of Branden.
Triston looked at Branden with curiosity. But he didn’t dare to size up Branden openly. He could onlysteal glances cautiously.
Although Triston had known for a while that Branden had taken an interest in Catherine, he hadn’texpected Branden to take action so swiftly.
In Triston’s view, Catherine looked incredibly youthful. Branden was quite audacious. Aidan noticed thatTriston wasn’t touching his drink. Triston just sat there and gritted his teeth. Aidan found it oddlyamusing.
Aidan poured two glasses of whiskey and handed one to Triston.
“Mr. Lambert, have a drink.”
Triston glanced down at the glass and realized it was whiskey. He instantly felt a bit nauseous. “Take itaway. I don’t drink this stuff.”
Seeing his reaction, Aidan felt curious and couldn’t help but tease him. He asked playfully, “Oh, lookwho’s refusing a drink now? Mr. Duncan gave us a big surprise today. Did it inspire you to quit drinking,Mr. Lambert?”
Triston had no intentions of quitting drinking. He was just still shaken by yesterday’s events. WatchingAidan take big gulps of drink, Triston shook his head in resignation and said seriously, “Aidan, it’s okayto drink less. Drinking too much can lead to trouble.”
After saying this, Triston stood up and walked out of the private room. Aidan was thoroughly puzzled.He had no idea what was going on. Aidan stared blankly in the direction Triston had left. He muttered
to himself, “Have they all gone crazy?”
Catherine sat beside Branden. Branden was concerned that she might be bored. He placed somehazelnuts in front of her.
Hazelnuts tasted great, but they were a bit tricky to eat. The shells were tough and required a specialtool to crack open to get to the flesh inside.
As for pre-shelled products, the flavor suffered due to prolonged exposure to air. To enjoy them, onehad to go for these freshly cracked nuts. Catherine glanced at the nuts and frowned.
Aidan noticed that no one was singing and few people were drinking. He silently lamented how ageseemed to take a toll on everyone’s enthusiasm for fun. Then he suggested switching to poker.
“Mr. Duncan, how about a few rounds of poker?” he proposed. Triston leaned back and sneered. ”Haha. Aidan, why would you invite us when you’re financially comfortable these days? Playing cardswith Mr. Duncan? Who could beat him?”
They had known each other for so many years and played every trick in the book. Branden was simplya monster in everything he did. No one could beat him in business or games.
Aidan knew very well how formidable Branden was. But with Branden here, they couldn’t possibly leavehim out when they played games.
After Catherine heard the conversation, she slowly raised her head. She looked at Branden with herclear, dark eyes, which carried a hint of playfulness. She was rebellious and wild-spirited.
Her soft, rosy lips parted slightly, and a fragrance wafted gently toward Branden. She asked, “You’regood at playing cards?”
Branden’s handsome face bore a charming yet somewhat cynical smile. He raised an eyebrow andlooked at Catherine gently.
“Not bad. I know a thing or two,” he replied. Triston, Aidan, and the others couldn’t help but feel atwinge of exasperation. They thought inwardly, “Branden is truly something else. He can spin tales infront of a lady without batting an eyelid.” They were almost convinced.
If they hadn’t played cards with Branden for so many years and never gained the upper hand in anygame, they might have actually believed him a bit.
They thought Branden was a master at bluffing. Catherine didn’t need to guess. She could tell from theamusement in Branden’s eyes.
On the other hand, as Triston noticed Catherine’s sudden interest, he thought she might be keen. Thenhe asked, “Catherine, we’re as good as done for when Mr. Duncan plays cards. How about you join fora couple of rounds?”
Catherine shook her head and declined Triston’s invitation. She said, “I don’t know how to play poker.”
Unexpectedly, Triston clapped his hands excitedly and raised an eyebrow. He looked at Catherine withenthusiasm and said, “You don’t need to know much. You play, and Mr. Duncan can be your backer. Ifyou win, it’s yours. If you lose, it’s on Mr. Duncan. How about that?”
Catherine thought inwardly, “If I win, it’s my prize. If I lose, Branden covers it?” She wasn’t about tostoop to playing cards and having someone else foot the bill. Before Catherine could respond,Branden, seated beside her, spoke up, Alright. Let Catherine play.”
Catherine turned her head to Branden beside her and stared at him with a questioning look. ButBranden gently looked at her with indulgence. He said, “I’m in a good mood today. Just play a couple ofrounds.”
After Branden finished speaking, Triston, Aidan, and the others erupted joyfully. Triston clapped hishands dramatically and said, “I thought I’d never get a chance to dig money out of Mr. Duncan’spockets in my lifetime. Little did I know that Catherine would bring us such a great opportunity.”
He even prepared to celebrate in advance. “Catherine, don’t worry. Mr. Duncan is wealthy, so feel freeto lose. If I win, I’ll give you half of the earnings. Just enjoy the game.”
Hearing what Triston said, Aidan quickly echoed Triston’s words. He said, “I’ll also give half of mywinnings to Miss Swann as a bonus.”
Branden gently squeezed Catherine’s tender hand and lightly rubbed his thumb over her palm. Heasked in a deep, attractive voice, “Got it? Play boldly. They’ll both give you half their winnings. And youmight end up making quite a bit.”
On her cold and stunning face, Catherine didn’t change her expression. But she frowned slightly with amocking smile. She thought inwardly, “When have I ever been worried?
“How can I not know that?
“Branden sure has quite an imagination!”novelbin
Aidan witnessed Branden’s seductive and shameless side for the first time. He turned to Triston besidehim and whispered in amazement, “Are you sure this is the same Mr. Duncan I know, the ruthless andindifferent one who considers everything meaningless?
Triston rubbed his forehead with resignation. He raised a hand to pat Aidan’s shoulder and replied in ahushed tone. “Aidan, times have changed.”
As Branden saw the two of them still quietly discussing, he lifted his foot and gave the table a light kick.He asked coldly, “Are you playing or not? If not, leave now.”
Although the force wasn’t strong, the table jolted abruptly and hit Triston’s diaphragm. It nearly causedhim to regurgitate last night’s drinks. Triston clutched his stomach and looked in the direction ofBranden. He was too afraid to retort. Then he said, ” We’re playing. Let’s get started!”
Triston thought inwardly, “Why does all the bad luck seem to fall on me?” Triston was unable tocompete head- on with Branden. He had already decided to regain his pride through Catherine.
Initially, he considered being gentle since Catherine didn’t know how to play poker. After all, he hadalways been very friendly toward girls. But now, it seemed entirely unnecessary.
Catherine coldly looked at Triston, who was gritting his teeth. Her hand hanging by her side movedslightly. Catherine thought inwardly, “Who can guarantee I will definitely lose?”