Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Rachel followed Herb into the VIP box, looking down at the ongoing poker tournament. Several professional club players were deep in their cards.
She couldn’t help but smile. Herb, noticing her expression, leaned in and teased, “What, reminiscing about the tournament we joined in Ozrodmond?”
“Yeah.”
Rachel’s smile widened. “I still remember how you swindled me out of my 100,000 dollars championship prize.”
Herb immediately rubbed his nose, awkwardly shifting his attention.
The two of them walked into the box, laughing, but the moment they stepped inside, they were greeted with a surprising sight–George, sitting with Callie, who was dressed in an eye–catching outfit, chatting intimately with Braylen.
George looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly as they met Herb and Rachel’s.
“Well, well, Herb, you made it,” George said, his voice flat.
Braylen, ever the smooth operator, grinned and added, “We had originally arranged to watch the game with Herb, but coincidentally, Mr. Fox is here as well. What a pleasant surprise!”
Such a coincidence…
Herb and Rachel exchanged a quick look, both realizing it wasn’t by chance. Braylen was deliberately making sure they knew there was competition for the acquisition of Elysium Media. It wasn’t just them after the deal–this would make the bidding war more exciting and drive up the price, of course.
Callie paused when she saw them, then seemed to have a sudden thought. Her smile shifted into something more calculated as she stood and moved toward Braylen, saying sweetly, “Braylen, I hope I’m not interrupting your important business. I only came by to say hello, but I can see you’re busy. My mom always told me, ‘Uncle Braylen is a busy man.‘ I can see now, she wasn’t kidding!”
So, Callie and Braylen were already familiar with each other.
Rachel realized–this was Callie flaunting her connection to Braylen.
Braylen, ever the charmer, responded, “Oh, don’t be silly. I grew up with your mother. You’re practically like my niece. I’m thrilled you came to see me. It’s no trouble at all.”
Callie flashed an even more knowing smile, deliberately casting a victorious glance at Rachel.
Rachel’s lips curled into a cold smirk, but she remained silent.
George gave a small, knowing smile and said, “Looks like Herb arrived a bit late, huh? If you’d like, we could catch up for a while, and if Braylen’s got the time, we can let him speak to Herb later?”
Herb, however, was quick to respond, “Not at all. I’d say it’s better late than never. The game’s just starting, and it’s not like we’re here just to watch it–more people make for a livelier crowd. Braylen, if you don’t mind, why don’t we all discuss the game together?”
The exchange between them was full of subule jabs and unspoken meaning, neither side willing to back down. Braylen, clearly enjoying the tension, agreed. “Well, since you’re both so keen, let’s watch the game together.”
Without waiting for George’s consent, Herb and Rachel immediately found their seats, as if claiming their territory.
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17:39 Sun, 23 Feb M
Chapter 41
Callie’s fists clenched in frustration.
+5
This Herb was just like Rachel–utterly shameless. Even though it was clear they were intruding, they refused to leave.
Callie gritted her teeth, but then a thought occurred to her. In this situation, it didn’t matter. She was well acquainted with Braylen’s family, and today, she was going to show Rachel and Herb what it really meant to have an inherent advantage- something Rachel could never compete with.
“Braylen, it’s been years, and you haven’t changed a bit. What’s your secret? My dad will probably feel embarrassed when he sees how well you’ve kept yourself,” Callie said, her tone dripping with sweetness.
Braylen chuckled. “Oh, Callie, you’re still as flattering as ever. Me? I’m just getting older. It’s your generation now. By the way, when are you and Mr. Fox getting married?”
The room froze.
George glanced at Rachel, who hadn’t even looked at them. Instead, she calmly picked up her coffee cup, smiling as she took a sip, completely unbothered.
Callie awkwardly said, “Oh, the wedding talk is still too soon. George is worried about my health. We’ll probably wait until after the baby’s born.”
Rachel couldn’t help herself. She let out a sudden burst of laughter, drawing everyone’s attention to her.
Callie quickly turned to George, looking frightened, pulling at his sleeve as if to calm him down.
Rachel grinned and waved her hand, “Sorry, I just remembered something funny. Please, keep talking–I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
George’s face darkened, his lips pressed tightly together in a thin line.
Callie, her jaw clenched, leaned toward Braylen and whispered, “Braylen, you don’t know, but Rachel and George had a bit of a history. Now she’s acting like this because she’s targeting me. Maybe I should leave? I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”
She spoke with the right mixture of innocence and subtle accusation, and Braylen frowned. “Wait, really? This happened?”
Callie nodded, trying to mask her unease with a facade of strength.
Braylen straightened up, clearly irritated. “Callie, don’t worry. As long as I’m here, no one’s going to bully you. If anyone tries, they’ll have to answer to me first.”
He shot a cold glance at Herb. “Is this lady Herb’s girlfriend?”
Herb glanced at Rachel before answering flatly, “No.”
The room went silent.
Herb didn’t think Rachel was his girlfriend? The same woman he’d lavished so much attention on, treated like a queen, and always took with him wherever he went? How could she not be his girlfriend?
Callie paused, realizing. Who was Rachel to him, really? Just a plaything. It didn’t matter how much he pampered her now- once he grew bored, he’d toss her aside.
Braylen’s expression grew even darker. Without a hint of politeness, he said, “Herb, this box is small. It’s not for everyone. If you’re not part of the discussion, why don’t you wait outside?”
Braylen was kicking then out.
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Chapter 41
Callie secretly smirked, ready to sit back and watch how Rachel and Herb would be shown the door.
ས ལྦི 27%2
But just then, Rachel glanced out at the match and broke the silence, “Braylen, how long have you been studying poker?”
Braylen froze.
Rachel looked up at him, her face innocent. “We’re here to watch the game, right? But from what I’ve seen so far, there’s no suspense–the Majestic Table Club is definitely going to lose. There’s nothing left to watch.”
Braylen was caught off guard. “You know poker?”
Many people might know how to play, but few could actually analyze a game. Especially women.
Rachel nodded. “A little research.”
Braylen raised an eyebrow. “What kind of research?”
Callie watched in growing anxiety as the tension in the room thickened. Rachel was suddenly the center of attention–again.
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