?Chapter 296:


    Tracy nodded, obediently sitting down beside him.


    Rachel caught Brian’s eye just as he turned to look at her. His look was chilling, sending shivers down her spine. His words were even colder, cutting through her like ice.


    “You can me me for everything. I ept full responsibility. Tracy’s innocent; she has done nothing wrong,” Brian said coldly.


    The words amused Rachel. He defended Tracy as innocent, despite her constant interference in their rtionship, causing turmoil and ultimately their separation. Still, he insisted on her innocence.


    At that point, Rachel felt no urge to justify herself further.


    “Since you’re still standing up for her, I doubt anything I say will change your mind.”


    “Rachel,” Brian whispered her name tenderly. “You’ve always been a gentle, kind presence in my life. Tracy shares those qualities. Please, don’t treat her harshly.”


    “Understood, Mr. White,” Rachel responded, her tone detached and cold.


    The rift between them deepened.


    Rachel then turned to Yvonne and asked, “Shall we get back to our game?”


    Yvonne agreed, handing the deck to Rachel.


    Guided by her instincts, Rachel partially revealed the deck. Yvonne tucked the rest beneath and began dealing.


    She dealt to herself first, then to Norton, followed by Rachel, and finally to Eric.


    The game proceeded with caution from all yers, everyone guarding their cards closely.


    Eric eventually broke the silence, revealing his hand first.


    Heid down a “9”, an average card.


    Norton was next, revealing his card—a “10”.


    It was just enough to edge out Eric’s hand, sparing Norton from defeat in this round.


    Next up was Brian’s turn, and he too pulled a “10,” mirroring Norton’s draw.


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    Yvonne watched the two of them, noticing not only their matching cards but also their shared knack for messy romances.


    On the other hand, Eric was a model of integrity and decency. Surprisingly, despite his qualities, he stayed single, with no casual dates or hidden romances.


    Yvonne then shifted her attention to Tracy. “It’s your turn.”


    Gaining courage from Brian’s earlier reassurance, Tracy sat up straighter and said confidently, “Since you were the winnerst round, perhaps you should show your hand first.”


    “The winner gets to dictate the order, right? You go first.”


    Feeling the pressure of the moment, a chill ran down Tracy’s spine, and her anxiety was clear. Her worry stemmed from the embarrassingly low number on her card. She had been dreading this moment ever since she drew the card, growing more nervous by the minute. This concern caused her to dy showing her card.


    Reluctantly, Tracy looked to Brian for an out. “Brian, perhaps Rachel should show her hand first? I’m curious about her hand.”


    Rachel’s patience with Tracy wore thin. Without hesitation, she flipped her card over.


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