?Chapter 10:


    “Kaiden, I am your wife,” she hissed, her voice low butced with anger.


    His tone, dismissive and suggestive, was akin to how one might address an escort. It was clear he was trying to humiliate her!


    Kaiden observed Ellie, noting the intense emotion in her eyes. He was curious to see how she would respond.


    “So now you remember you’re my wife?” he asked, his tone icy. Did she realize her status as his wife, yet still entertain connections with Erick?


    Ellie grasped his insinuation but opted not to rify. She knew exining her innocence regarding Erick would be futile; he wouldn’t believe her anyway.


    Biting back her frustration, Ellie managed a strained smile and turned to the man who had spoken. “What would Mr. Stephens like to do?”


    “Come on, Miss Gordon, didn’t you used to refer to me as Edwin?” Edwin Stephens remarked, his voice heavy with sarcasm.


    Edwin, the younger son of the Stephens family known for their dominance in the private hospital sector, had minimal interest in either the family business or the field of medicine. His passiony in music, and he had made a name for himself as a renowned independent artist.


    Ellie and Edwin had been high school ssmates. But as far as Ellie recalled, Edwin had always been inexplicably hostile towards her.


    “Mr. Stephens, what’s your game of choice?” Ellie asked, ignoring his sarcasm.


    Edwin nced at Kaiden, then, with a glimmer of excitement, suggested, “Mr. Thorpe, anything goes?”


    “Absolutely,” Kaiden responded with a nonchnt air, his expression conveying a message of indifference, as if to say, “Choose as you please.”


    Edwin picked up a dice cup, a n forming in his mind. “Ellie, let’s keep it simple. Guess the dice roll; loser drinks.” The table wasden with potent vodka.


    Edwin was known for his dice skills.


    “Mr. Stephens, aren’t you being a bit unfair to Miss Gordon? She’s not ustomed to such crude games. She’s a schr, not a gambler!” someone jeered. “Forget dice; Miss Gordon probably can’t even interpret them.”


    Laughter echoed around the room.


    Ellie cast a hopeful nce at Kaiden, silently pleading for him to reject Edwin’s challenge. Yet, Kaiden seemed indifferent, casually fiddling with his wristwatch, paying no heed to the ridicule aimed at Ellie.


    A wave of anger swept over her. She stared at the man in the wheelchair for a tense moment before a defiant smile crept onto her face.


    “Alright, let’s y!”


    Her voice, firm and clear, silenced theughter.


    “But, Mr. Stephens, mere drinkingcks excitement. Let’s up the stakes. How about the loser removes a piece of clothing? We keep going until… well, we’re naked!”


    The suggestion stunned the crowd, yet they buzzed with anticipation.


    As Ellie spoke her final words, her gaze flickered toward Kaiden. Kaiden’s expression shifted, his eyes sharpening with a warning re. Ellie leaned in, her whisper barely audible. “Mr. Thorpe, you wanted a game, didn’t you? Let’s make it interesting.” Her daring was unmistakable.


    .


    .


    .