Chapter 308 Brain Over Brawn
Gary’s face was stern as he gritted his teeth in frustration. "Must you always play the saboteur, little sister?" he demanded.
Evella responded with a sheepish shrug and a dry chuckle. "Let's just eat, shall we?" she suggested, attempting to diffuse the tension.
Observing the sibling rivalry, Sandy couldn't suppress her laughter. The Remington siblings were indeed a source of amusement. It was clear that Gary harbored feelings for Nora, but as they said, you can't always get what you want.
A thought crossed Sandy's mind, causing her to hesitate and scan the room. Strangers surrounded her, but he was nowhere to be seen. A sense of relief mingled with heartbreak washed over her. He had to let go. The girl who once belonged to him was no more.
In a secluded corner not too far away, Zephyr watched Sandy from a distance, a pang of agony flashing in his eyes. He had found Cora Hernandez's family, who had informed him of her tragic demise in a car accident. How could his Cora have possibly died in such a manner? Could the woman standing before him, bearing an uncanny resemblance to Cora, be someone else? Despite the evidence, he refused to believe it.
Meanwhile, at the dinner table, Gary watched as Aaron seemed to have the upper hand. A competitive spirit stirred within him. "Mr. Gordon, it appears we both have an interest in the same woman. How about a friendly competition?" he suggested.
Aaron, who had nearly finished his meal, pulled out a napkin and wiped his mouth with an air of practiced elegance. He declined the offer in a calm voice, "There's no need for that; Nora isn't interested in you."
Gary was taken aback. "But she's still single, isn't she? Are you absolutely certain about that?"
Aaron barely spared him a glance, his expression neutral, exuding an air of confidence that Nora was his woman.
Gary, feeling provoked, challenged Aaron, "Mr. Gordon, are you refusing to compete because you fear losing?"
Aaron, leaning back slightly, maintained his composure. "No need for reverse psychology, Mr. Remington. What exactly do you propose we compete in? If it's a matter of strength, I believe we've already established who comes out on top, haven't we?"
Gary instinctively glanced at his own hands, his expression shifting through various emotions. He had to admit, the man was strong.
"Mr. Gordon, we're not barbarians here. I'm not challenging you to a test of strength; let's play basketball instead," Gary said, choosing a sport he was particularly skilled at.
Aaron raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on his lips. Back in his school days, he was quite the basketball enthusiast. If it really came down to it, Gary might not stand a chance.
"Mr. Remington, his leg's not fully healed yet; he can't play basketball right now," Nora chimed in, unable to stay silent.
Aaron's gaze softened as he looked at her, "Still worried about me?"
"Of course," Nora responded. "I saved you; I need to make sure you're back to normal before my job's done."
Aaron chuckled and took her hand in his, "Nora, I'm your spoil of war."
With amusement, Nora replied, "I haven't gone to battle. What spoil of war are you talking about?"
"No, you fought an intangible war, and I belong to you," said Aaron, his eyes smiling.
Nora let out a laugh, "So, you're indirectly saying you have quite the following."
Aaron gave her a meaningful look, "As do you with your many knights!"
Their playful banter and teasing continued.
Gary, on the sidelines, was once again force-fed a dose of affection he hadn't asked for.
Growing frustrated, he said, "So what you're telling me is that Mr. Gordon is still somewhat incapacitated? If I were to compete with you now, it wouldn't be a fair victory. So let's not compete."
Using the word 'incapacitated' to describe him? So this kid wants to throw down the gauntlet, huh?
Aaron's lips twisted into a frigid, razor-thin smile. "Mr. Remington, only novices squander their vitality on brute strength. If you truly wish to challenge me, let's see who possesses the superior intellect," he proposed.
A surge of hope lifted Gary's spirits. "Very well, let's engage," he agreed, a spark of anticipation igniting within him.
Had he finally provoked a reaction from the usually stoic Aaron?
His only concern had been that his bait would go unnoticed.
A smirk tugged at the corners of Gary's mouth as he inquired, "What form of competition do you suggest?"
Aaron responded, "Men have a fondness for card games. Shall we wager on a hand?"
That was his forte!
An eyebrow arched in intrigue, Gary agreed, "I have no objections. Let's proceed to the clubhouse immediately."
"There's no need. Have someone bring us a deck. We'll play right here," Aaron commanded, his voice steady, his dark eyes ablaze with intensity.
He added a condition, "The loser ceases his harassment of Nora."
Gary's smile wavered, a flicker of doubt crossing his face.
This cunning, wily old fox, was he being lured into a trap?
The loser backs off?
This...
"Are you lacking the courage?" Aaron observed Gary's hesitation and taunted him with a scornful smile, "Coward."
Gary's face flushed with indignation, "Who's the coward? You're the coward!"
Let's do this!
As a wealthy heir, Gary was accustomed to playing cards for amusement.
His skills were unparalleled.
He was confident he could best Aaron.
"Fetch us a deck," Gary tossed a crisp $100 bill to a classmate who had just finished his meal.
The classmate complied, swiftly returning with a deck of playing cards.
"What game shall we play?"
Gary opened the card case, expertly shuffling the deck.
Aaron's slender fingers tapped nonchalantly on the table.
"How about we play Show Hand?"
Gary nodded in agreement, "Very well. Nora, you deal."
"Me?" Nora glanced at Aaron, somewhat taken aback.
They were actually going through with this.
Aaron's lips twitched slightly in a nod, the epitome of confidence.
"Alright," Nora sighed, finding their card game rather juvenile. Nonetheless, she complied.
She was confident in Aaron's victory, which would result in Gary's graceful retreat—a satisfying resolution.
"I'm beginning," Nora announced after shuffling the deck.
Sandy and Evella stood by, eager spectators.
Before long, a crowd had assembled, drawn by the commotion.
Upon discovering the identities of the two players, everyone’s faces lit up with excitement.
Some even began placing bets on the outcome.
Nora couldn't help but find the situation amusing, musing that they might soon receive a reprimand from the school’s disciplinary office.
As the card game commenced, the surrounding chatter subsided.
In the first hand, Aaron was dealt seemingly strong cards.
He glanced at his hole cards and folded, declaring, "I'm out."
Gary arched an eyebrow and tossed his cards aside, signaling for Nora to deal another hand.
Hand after hand, Aaron remained impassive.
Gary grew increasingly impatient, "Mr. Gordon, if you're not going to participate, are you even trying?"
Aaron curved his lips into a smile, the epitome of composure, and instructed Nora, "Continue."
The game was evolving into a battle of wits.
This kid still had some maturing to do.
Nora proceeded to deal the cards.
Aaron's slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the tabletop.
His deep-set eyes skimmed over the community cards, inscrutable.
"Are you in or out?" Gary tapped his cards, ready to discard them at a moment's notice.
Aaron glanced at his hole cards, and with a lift of his brows, he replied, "I'm in."
Finally, he was participating!
Gary straightened up, his demeanor growing serious.
As the cards were dealt, he saw his hand improving.
After examining his five-card hand, he realized he had a high straight flush!
He was certain he had won this hand!
A rush of excitement crossed Gary's face as he looked across at Aaron.
"Mr. Gordon, we agreed that the loser leaves the game, correct?"
Aaron, having just reviewed his hand, nodded, "Indeed."
"Very well, it's a deal! Let's reveal our cards."
Gary, confident in his impending victory, held his chin high.
"Please," Aaron gestured for him to reveal his hand first.
Gary flipped his hole cards, "Straight flush. Mr. Gordon, you might as well concede!"
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
