Chapter 309 Speaking Too Highly of Oneself
Gary was an image of sheer determination, his face wore a ‘must-win’ expression. Those who had bet on him to win became excited at the sight of his cards, confident that Aaron would lose. On the other side, the supporters of Aaron shook their heads and sighed disappointingly.
Yet Aaron remained unflustered.
"Mr. Remington, are you sure I’ve lost?" he asked.
Gary looked at him smugly and said, "Mr. Gordon, let's not waste time. Show your cards. You've got to be gracious in defeat!”
Aaron's thin lips curved slightly into a smirk, and he nodded. "Indeed, one must be gracious in defeat."
With that, he flipped over his last two cards with the finesse of an artist.
"Funny, I also have a straight flush—just a little higher than yours," Aaron remarked.
Gary's face froze, his smile turning to disbelief as he looked at Aaron's cards.
Aaron held a straight flush as well—just a point higher!
How could this be?
"Mr. Remington, honor the bet and step down," Aaron said with a smirk, then pulled Nora towards him to sit on his lap.
He cradled the back of Nora’s head and bent down to kiss her cherry red lips, eliciting gasps from the onlookers.
Evella, part of the audience, widened her eyes and gasped, embarrassedly covering her face. Sandy also felt a bit awkward, but when she noticed that the main parties didn't seem to mind, she asked herself, ‘Why should the onlookers mind it too?’
So, she led the applause, and soon, the sound of clapping filled the room.
Nora, sitting on Aaron’s lap, felt her face flush and her heart race. When their kiss ended, she blushed even more and buried her face in Aaron's chest, refusing to look up.
The scene unfolding was reminiscent of a gambling king who had won over the enchantress who had once brought trouble to the nation.
She coughed lightly—she was quite good at flattering herself, wasn’t she? Calling herself an enchantress indeed!
Evella, seeing her Gary's sour face as he sat dazed on a bench, felt a wave of sympathy.
She pulled him out of the crowd. "Gary, can you give up now? Let's go. Don't bother Nora anymore," she advised.
Gary was still dazed. How could Aaron be so lucky? How could his hand be just one point higher?
His heart ached.
No, why did he agree to play cards with Aaron in the first place? Was he simply going to walk away like this?
Could he go back on his word?
Watching the couple in each other's arms, smitten with each other, Gary felt dejected and could only walk away for the time being.
The onlookers who had gathered to see the commotion gradually dispersed.
Aaron patted the petite woman hiding in his embrace, refusing to look up, laughter evident in his eyes.
"All right, my trophy, isn't it about time you got back to work?" he teased.
At his words, Nora finally sat up straight.
Just a moment ago he was her trophy, and now she had become his possession. Was she an item, to be won and lost? Despite her internal criticisms, she couldn't help but feel a sweet satisfaction inside.
It was like she was the main lady in charge, a feeling that brought a spring to her step! ’Ahem’, she thought, there she goes again, putting labels on herself.
"Are you heading back now?" Nora asked as she smoothed out her hair strands, pushing aside her little thoughts.
"No, I'll be going to the Hamilton family tonight, so I'll head to the library to work there for now, and wait for you," Aaron replied.
Nora's attractive almond-shaped eyes moved thoughtfully. "The library? What if someone tries to chat you up?" she asked, her tone with a hint of jealousy. She could just imagine, with his good looks, him sitting upright by the library window, attracting many admiring glances from the girls.
Aaron raised an eyebrow, "Should I write 'I have a wife, please do not disturb' across my face?"
Nora couldn't help but laugh. "Shall I get you a pen?" she offered playfully.
"If that makes you happy," Aaron responded.
With a light laugh, Nora didn't continue the banter. She bid goodbye to Evella, who was standing by and playfully acting as if she were a third wheel, and then headed back to the lab with Sandy.
"Nora, your Mr. Gordon is so charismatic, he opened my eyes today," Sandy complimented.
Nora smiled broadly, feeling a sense of pride. "He is indeed very charming, which is why he's always got a flock of admirers. It's exhausting," she replied.
Sandy glanced at her, teasing, "Why do I hear a bit of boasting there?"
"What boast? I'm just stating facts," Nora retorted.
Sandy nodded, grinning as she said, "Yeah, the fact is you're showing off!"
Nora let out a burst of laughter. "Sandy, when did you become such a wicked sister-in-law?"
"What's wicked about me?" Sandy replied, acting innocently.
"Your words are wicked!" Nora taunted, playfully.
The two chatted and laughed, immersing themselves in their afternoon's work. Perhaps being in a good mood does boost one’s efficiency because, by the afternoon, the lab team had successfully isolated a group of vaccine components. Everyone cheered and high-fived in celebration.
In the evening, checking the time, Nora went to the changing room to change clothes before leaving work.
She sent Aaron a text.
Nora: [Where are you?]
He texted back quickly.
Aaron: [Still at the library, ready to leave?]
Nora: [Yes.]
Aaron sent back an "OK" emoji.
Nora's lips curved into a smile as she put her phone in her pocket.
"Nora, that sweet smile of yours, it's like I can smell the sweet stench of love in the air," Sandy teased as she walked into the break room to change her clothes and noticed the grin on Nora's face.
Nora chuckled, "Oh, Sandy, cut it out. When you were dating your hubby, the sweetness only got stronger, not weaker."
Sandy's smile paused at that comment, and she didn't respond.
Immediately, Nora regretted her words.
She remembered the secret Sandy carried and realized that Sandy probably had no romantic foundation with her brother before their marriage.
But words once spoken, like water spilled, cannot be taken back.
Nora tried to lighten the mood, "Hey Sandy, when I head over to the Ebenezer' place, as the hostess, you got to look after me a bit, all right? If I say something off, you'll need to smooth it over for me."
Sandy laughed, "With your quick wit, why would you need me? Besides, Mr. Gordon will be there; I doubt I'll need to worry."
Nora playfully retorted, "Who said that? As the saying goes, 'The elder sister-in-law is like a mother.' I'm going to need your support a lot in the future."
At that, Sandy burst out laughing. "Let's get going; don't keep CEO Gordon waiting," she remarked.
Nora replied, "It's okay; he's a gentleman. He won't mind waiting a bit."
Sandy countered, "That's with you, wonder how he'd react with someone else?"
Both paused in silence, pondering, then the two shared a laugh and left the laboratory together.
Meanwhile, Aaron was already waiting for her down in the parking lot. Dressed in a sleek, dark suit, his tall and statuesque figure was captivating. He was indeed a gorgeous man.
Nora wondered how many women's hearts had he captured at the library today.
As the three left the campus, they saw a luxury car parked by the curb. The driver promptly opened the door for Aaron as he approached.
Curious, Nora asked, "Whose car is this?"
"It belongs to the branch office," Aaron replied.
Nora nodded in acknowledgment and didn't inquire further.
Sandy had driven herself, so she took off in her car, and the three of them headed to the Ebenezer residence in two separate vehicles.
The Hamilton family's mansion was set away from the bustling city. As the road grew quieter and more secluded, Nora became less talkative.
Initially, she wanted to keep her distance from the Hamilton family, but now she found herself intertwined with their lives.
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