Chapter 79 I Care About Money, Not You
His eyebrows furrowed slightly as he cleared his throat and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Just admiring a beauty," she replied.
"Who?"
Only then did Isabella avert her gaze and gave him a stingy glance, saying, "Even if I told you, you wouldn't understand."
After speaking, she continued watching Brittany.
In truth, Brittany wasn't exceptionally stunning or unforgettable at first glance, but the more Isabella looked at her, the more comfortable and fond she felt, as if she was basking in a gentle spring breeze.
Sebastian finally realized what was going on. It turned out she wanted to come here to see Brittany, not because she was afraid of being separated from him?
Instantly, his expression turned unsightly.
And that displeasure remained on his face throughout dinner.
Isabella had grown accustomed to his ever-changing mood. Whenever he was happy, she would keep her distance to avoid being playfully teased until she blushed. Whenever he was unhappy, she would comply with him, obediently and well-behaved, not giving him any opportunity to get angry.
She had become quite adept at handling Sebastian.
So, Sebastian felt stifled, with this lingering sense of injustice pressing on his chest. He wanted to vent, but couldn't find the chance. If he didn't vent, he would still be unhappy.
"This dish is delicious, you should try it," Isabella offered him a bite. "You should eat your greens too, to get enough vitamins... and this fish is good."
Sebastian glanced at her.
People nearby began to heap praise upon praise—
"Mrs. Lawrence is so virtuous, Mr. Lawrence is truly fortunate."
"Oh yes, gentle, beautiful, and elegant, Mr. Lawrence really hit the jackpot."
"The perfect match of talent and beauty... When they have a wedding, I must have a celebratory drink!"
Isabella maintained a polite smile.
After the meal, someone suggested playing cards. It was an activity... Sebastian usually didn't enjoy, so Isabella assumed he would refuse.
But unexpectedly, he nodded slightly and said, "It's still early, let's play."
Isabella: "Huh?"
Sebastian was actually very thoughtful. He brought her here to network, and he knew she didn't like activities like singing, playing cards, or going to nightclubs after dinner, so he always declined them.
This time... Isabella pursed her lips. Why was he unhappy again today? It was starting to make her feel uncomfortable.
Well, she should write a book in the future for the employees of the Lawrence Group to read. She even had the title in mind— "Why is Mr. Lawrence Angry Again?"
The group of people relocated from the private room in the restaurant to the chess room upstairs.
What else could Isabella do? Once Sebastian opened his mouth and said he wanted to play cards, she had to accompany him, unable to refuse or leave early.
Isabella wasn't particularly interested in playing cards, the only card game she knew was poker, and that was only from playing with Emily in their college dorm.
They were playing bridge, four people per table. Sebastian took a seat, and Isabella obediently moved a chair and sat beside him.
She only recognized the cards but didn't know how to play. However, someone like Sebastian, who had good looks, was pleasing no matter what he did.
His hand reached for the cards, long and well-defined, even in a card game; it seemed like a scene from a glamorous advertisement.
After watching for a while, Sebastian's chips decreased more and more. Isabella leaned closer to him, her cheek against his shoulder, and asked, "You seem to be... losing quite a bit?"
He murmured, "Bad luck."
Their chips were naturally large, and Isabella estimated in her mind that Sebastian had already lost several hundred thousand by now.
Although he was wealthy, he shouldn't be that wasteful, right?
"It seems like you've only won once, huh?" Isabella said. "At this rate, how much more will you lose?"
Sebastian played his cards and turned his head to look at her. "Feeling sorry for me?"
"I feel sorry for the money, not for you."
"Your turn," Sebastian said. "Today, luck is just not on my side."
"Ah?" Isabella waved her hand. "Then I'll be even worse. I don't know how to play."
"I'll teach you."
As soon as Sebastian finished speaking, he planted his feet on the ground, pushed his chair back a bit, and patted his thighs. "Come here."
The other three people at the card table exchanged knowing smiles.
Isabella's face flushed. "I really don't know..."
She said that, but in front of other people, she didn't dare to keep refusing him. She would just play a few hands for fun. After all, it was boring to just watch from the side.
George on the right chuckled. "Newcomers usually have the best luck at cards. Mr. Lawrence, you don't want to leave us any chance today."
Nick across from them chimed in. "That's right, it's rare to have a chance to play cards with Mrs. Lawrence. Let's get started."
He encircled her with one hand and propped his chin up with the other, leaning against the back of his chair. "Draw a card."
And so Isabella began playing cards on behalf of Sebastian.
At first, she really didn't know how to play. When she drew a card, she would helplessly look at Sebastian, not knowing which one to play, even needing him to tell her so she could react.
But after playing a few rounds, Isabella gradually learned and was no longer passively reliant on Sebastian's guidance.
Sebastian looked at her profile.
Isabella was a clever person, quick-witted and adaptable. Whatever she was willing to put her heart into learning, she could excel at.
Like managing a company, like playing cards.
"Oh, sorry, I won," Isabella pushed the cards forward.
With this winning hand, Sebastian's almost-depleted stack of chips came back entirely.
"Mrs. Lawrence, you've really become quite proficient," George said with a smile. "Seems like you didn't leave us any chance to win today."
"Yeah," Nick added. "It's rare to have the opportunity to play cards with Mrs. Lawrence. Let's continue."
“Lawrence is having a good run, huh?”
"That's how it is for beginners, they draw the cards they want."
"Mr. Lawrence seems to have brought in some reinforcements... He might lose to Mrs. Lawrence today."
Sebastian smiled faintly, “She’s just playing randomly, purely lucky.”
Isabella wasn't playing randomly at all. She found card games quite boring earlier, but now she was enjoying herself and getting into it.
In the following rounds, she won three games in a row.
"Look," Isabella proudly turned her head towards Sebastian, "How about that? Teaching a student like me must be very fulfilling, right?"
He asked, “Is it really your first time playing?”
"I only know how to play poker. Bridge is indeed my first time."
“Smart.”
During the fourth game, Sebastian didn't lean back casually like before. He sat up, his hands passing from Isabella's side and landing on the table, supporting himself.
This action firmly held her in his embrace.
Sebastian rested his chin on her shoulder, “For this round, I’ll teach you.”
His breath was close, spraying against Isabella's ear. This level of intimacy made her slightly uncomfortable.
After all, there were still people watching.
But Isabella didn't show it, after all... they were a legitimate husband and wife, being affectionate was normal.
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