Chapter 261 Ms. Galatea, Let's Dance
Katherine smirked. "Jonathan, you're so boring. Who remembers details like that?"
Jonathan's voice softened. "I didn't try to remember; that day just stuck with me. To me, it was our first date."
Katherine was stunned.
Date? What was he talking about?
Back then, she was married, even if it was just a partnership with Alex. If that counted as a date, wouldn't that mean she was cheating?
Katherine didn't want to talk to Jonathan anymore. This guy flirted with her every chance he got, but he was barking up the wrong tree.
She wasn't falling for it.
Across from them, Bernard shuffled his cards, glancing up to see Katherine and Jonathan whispering. He frowned, a hint of disdain in his eyes.
Scarlett's friend Sophie always claimed Katherine was adept at flirting and teasing men. Bernard had doubted it, thinking Katherine didn't seem that type.
But now, even a smooth talker like Jonathan was all over her. Maybe Sophie was right.
Bernard felt a growing dislike for the new secretary.
Just then, a phone rang with a short, musical tone, followed by vibrations.
Bernard checked the caller ID and answered, "What's up? Okay, I'll be right there."
He hung up and looked at Katherine. "Ms. Galatea."
Katherine put down her water cup and stood. "Mr. Mitchell, what's up?"
Bernard's tone was commanding. "Watch my cards. I need to step out."
Katherine didn't want to but had no choice. "Okay, Mr. Mitchell."
She took the deck from Bernard and sat in his seat.
Once Bernard left, Hilton became intrigued. He raised an eyebrow and, with a roguish smile, teased Katherine. "You know how to play bridge? Brave of you to take over for Mr. Mitchell."
Katherine replied, "A little bit."
Hilton laughed. "Let's see. If you lose all his money, don't cry!"
Katherine sighed. "I'll do my best."
After Hilton played a card, he nodded at her. "Your turn, Katherine."
Katherine leaned forward, checked Hilton's card, adjusted her hand, and played a matching card.
Hilton noticed her play was correct; she actually knew the rules.
Jonathan sat at the table but wasn't really into it; he just played whatever.
Issac and Hilton were on the same team. He didn't speak but played his cards seriously.
After a few rounds, Katherine played her last trump card and won unexpectedly.
The three men looked at her with a mix of admiration and suspicion.
Her play style was nothing like a novice's!
The kicker was Katherine looked bored the whole time, even yawning, and played absentmindedly.
And yet, she won?!
It was practically a silent insult to the three men.
Hilton frowned. "Are you kidding me? You call that knowing a little bit?"
Katherine smiled. "No, Mr. Mitchell just had good luck. The initial cards were good."
Hilton chuckled. "Katherine, you're modest. Let's see if luck favors you in the next round! Ms. Galatea, since you're so good, why don't we raise the stakes?"
Katherine didn't bite. "If you want to raise the stakes, wait for Mr. Mitchell. I'm just an employee. I have no money or power, and I'm only here to keep Mr. Mitchell's principal safe, not to raise the stakes."
Hilton wasn't about to let her off easy. "No worries, we won't bet money! Next round, you represent yourself and bet with us?"
Katherine shook her head again. "No."
Hilton frowned. "You're quite the character, interesting! When your boss comes back, I'll ask him to transfer you to the Allen Group to be my secretary. I'll train you well! Think Bernard will agree?"
Katherine went silent.
This could actually happen!
Bernard only kept her around because she secured that big deal with the Arabs. Now that the contract was signed, anyone could handle the follow-up.
And Bernard's attitude was clear—he didn't like her at all!
If he handed her over to a friend as a favor.
No way! She had to stay at the Mitchell Group to find out why her mother was kicked out of the Mitchell family years ago!
Hilton's challenge added significant pressure on Katherine.
After a moment, she asked, "Mr. Allen, what do you want to bet?"
A sly smile crept across Hilton's face. "I know you just got this job and don't have much money, so let's bet on a striptease! Whoever loses has to do a striptease right here. How about that?"
Jonathan stepped in. "Hilton, that's too much! Katherine's a girl and not great at cards. Don't bully her."
Hilton shrugged, "Jonathan, does she look like she can't play cards? Maybe I'll lose, and you all can enjoy watching me dance!"
Issac quipped. "I doubt anyone here wants to see you strip."
Hilton chuckled, "Then we'll just have to watch Ms. Galatea dance!"
Jonathan turned to Katherine. "Katherine, don't force yourself. If you don't want to play, just say no."
Katherine rubbed her chin in thought, then sighed. "Alright, I'll bet with Mr. Allen! But if I win, Mr. Allen has to dance in the ballroom at the party, okay?"
Issac and Jonathan looked at Katherine with some admiration; she really dared to bet?!
Hilton laughed. "Sure! I love a good show, but I'm just afraid Ms. Galatea won't get to see it!"
Katherine didn't waste words. "Is it a one-round win?"
Hilton nodded with a smirk. "Yes!"
Katherine calmly said, "Then please, Mr. Allen, shuffle the cards."
The moment she agreed to bet with Hilton, she felt a cold, sharp gaze from another direction, tightening around her neck like a steel wire.
She couldn't tell if it was her imagination, but she felt a palpable sense of pressure.
Hilton shuffled and dealt the cards.
Katherine looked at her hand and saw that the situation was not good!
The initial cards were very unfavorable, much worse than the last round!
Hilton's dealing had some skill, not playing fair.
Katherine frowned. She knew how to play bridge, but with these cards, winning would be tough.
After a few rounds, her plays were not smooth, and she didn't have much of an advantage.
The outcome was already clear. Hilton smiled provocatively. "Ms. Galatea, why aren't you playing? Out of big cards?"
Katherine glanced at him, unhurried and unflustered.
She was just considering which card to play, predicting the opponent's next moves, and seizing any chance to turn the tables.
She only had a few big cards left. If she played the wrong card now, she would lose everything. She needed to be cautious.
Suddenly, the sofa beside her sank as someone sat down, a faint scent of tobacco wafting over.
Katherine's heart skipped a beat. Without looking, she knew it was Alex.
Alex's sudden move to sit beside her threw Katherine off balance, giving her goosebumps.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
