Seeing what was happening, Bianca moved quickly to intervene, but Dave blocked her with a strong presence.
Dave’s voice broke the tension, his tone magnetic yet cold. “Don’t worry. Michael won’t hurt her. Their relationship is more complex than it seems. Let them handle it. You shouldn’t get involved.”
Bianca looked in their direction, feeling uncomfortable. She sensed a deep connection between Michael and Sophia, but Michael’s aggressive behavior worried her.
Yet, knowing Michael’s high status in Blosa, she told herself he wouldn’t do anything too extreme.
Bianca took a deep breath and turned to look at Dave, who was relaxed on the sofa like a lion in its domain with his eyes hidden behind his lashes.
“So, you knew about Michael and Sophia all this time?” Bianca asked in a sharp tone.
Dave’s silence told her everything she needed to know.
“It must have been tiring, pretending all this time,” Bianca said with her voice filled with sarcasm.
“I don’t pretend for just anyone,” Dave replied quietly, playing with the Patek Philippe watch on his wrist.
Bianca thought back to the fake engagement ceremony years ago.
Dave wore a similar watch then. She should have realized who he was, but she ignored the clues.
The more she had trusted him, the more the betrayal hurt now.
Bianca clenched her fists and turned away, not wanting to continue the conversation. As she went to sit down, Dave’s voice broke the silence, haunting like a ghost from the past. “Where’s your fiance? How could he let you come here alone?”
He casually picked up a biscuit from the box on the table, twirling it between his fingers. His smirk was cold as he said, “Miss Scott, you sure know how to play.”
Bianca quickly snapped sharply. “Mr. Evans, you’re overstepping. Instead of worrying about me and my fiance, maybe you should focus on your fiancee, Skylar?”
Dave’s expression turned icy at her words, and he suddenly broke the biscuit he was holding. The brittle sound echoing in the tense atmosphere.
Noticing the tension increase, Brandon stood up. “Let’s end the game here for today.”
Dave looked up and shot Brandon a sharp glare. “What do you mean? I just got here, and now we’re stopping? Am I not allowed to join the game?”
Brandon’s mouth twitched nervously and he stammered, “I… I didn’t mean that.”
“Then let’s continue,” Dave said in a challenging tone. “Miss Scott, are you afraid to play?”
Bianca stared back at him without flinching.
She noticed the challenge in his eyes, along with a trace of revenge. She gave a faint smile and stood firm. “If you’re willing to play, why wouldn’t I?”
The tension between them was undeniable. Their words were sharp, and the air crackled with confrontation.
Nicolas, looking pale and exhausted, stood up. “You guys continue. I’m tired. I’ll excuse myself.”
As he left, lost in thought, the room felt even heavier.
With Nicolas gone, only Dave, Bianca, and Diana remained, making the tension even more intense.
Brandon felt a tight knot in his stomach and his nervous swallow revealed his anxiety.
Under Dave’s overwhelming presence, Brandon took a deep breath, knowing he had no choice but to keep going.
“Alright then… let’s continue.”
The tension was too much for Diana. She clutched the edge of Bianca’s clothes and asked, “Bianc, are we really doing this?”
“Let’s proceed!” Bianca’s voice was firm and unyielding.
Diana had no words. She couldn’t understand their determination. Since both Bianca and Dave were set on continuing, she had no choice but to go along.
As they picked their cards, Diana and Brandon silently hoped.
“Please, not Dave…”
“Please, not Bianca…”
Everyone picked their cards, and the room fell into silence.
Diana’s expression darkened. She had drawn a 1, the lowest possible score.
As long as her opponent wasn’t Dave, she figured she could handle it.
When the moment came, they all revealed their cards at once. Diana leaned forward to check. The second she saw the results, her heart sank.
What cruel luck! Besides her, Dave also had the lowest score.
“Oh, come on! Is this a joke?” Diana groaned inwardly, holding her head in despair.
Bianca remained silent. Brandon looked pale. Only Dave sat there lazily and looked cold.
Dave smirked and tossed his card onto the table. He glanced at Bianca before turning to Diana. “It’s our time to go, Miss Schultz.”
“O-Okay…”
Diana felt her face heat with embarrassment. Playing this game with her best friend’s ex-boyfriend, right in front of her, was beyond awkward.
She wasn’t usually shy, but this was too much. Clutching Bianca’s arm, she pleaded, “Bianc, can you take my place?”
Bianca looked at Dave. His cold expression only added to her irritation. If he didn’t care, why should she?
Bianca gave Diana a reassuring smile. “It’s fine. It’s just a game. Besides…”
She glanced at Dave with contempt. “Looks like Mr. Evans is really looking forward to this. Wouldn’t want to spoil his fun.”
Seeing Bianca’s frustration, Diana turned to Brandon with desperate eyes, silently pleading, Are you really going to let this happen? If you do, I’ll never forgive you!
Brandon hesitated. He didn’t like the idea of Diana playing this game with Dave. Carefully, he spoke up. “Maybe I could… take her place?”
“Thank you, but no.”
Dave and Bianca spoke at the same time, cutting off Brandon.
Diana and Brandon exchanged uneasy glances as the tension in the room thickened once again.
“Come on, it’s just a game,” Diana finally said, exasperated.
Reaching her limit with the awkwardness, she stood abruptly, grabbed a biscuit, took a small bite, and walked over to sit beside Dave. Shutting her eyes, she said, “Let’s get this over, Mr. Evans!”
Dave glanced at Bianca. She had her head down, lips pressed tightly together, and fists clenched. He knew these signs-she was anxious and uncomfortable.
Dave’s chest tightened. With a heavy sigh, he muttered, “I concede.”
Everyone stared at Dave in surprise.
Brandon let out a relieved sigh, while Diana jumped up, eyes wide with excitement. “You’re serious?”
“I guarantee it,” Dave said, leaning back. “I’ll accept the penalty.”
Diana smirked, leaned closer to Bianca, and whispered, “Bianc, this is your chance. Use the game to get back at him. Don’t hold back!”
Bianca looked at Dave’s perfectly composed face. After a brief pause, she said, “Since you lost, it’s my decision.”