?Chapter 219:


    Before Evelyn could finish, Jeffry took off his sunsses and gently ced them on Elena. His voice softened. “Is the heat bothering you? If it is, let’s go inside where it’s cooler.”


    A faint flush spread across Elena’s skin due to the heat. Among them, her skin was the most delicate, making her reaction more noticeable. Evelyn’s mood soured instantly. Her grip tightened on her sleeves, frustration evident on her face. This was supposed to be her chance to connect with Jeffry. Instead, there were too many distractions, and worse, he was only focused on Elena. It was as if she didn’t exist at all! To Evelyn, Elena was doing this on purpose—deliberately interfering so she wouldn’t get a moment alone with Jeffry.


    Javier, who had remained quiet, suddenly suggested, “It’s way too hot outside. Why don’t we go back and y cards?”


    Javier nodded eagerly. “Yeah! That sounds like fun.”


    Since Elena showed interest, neither Jeffry nor Louis objected.


    The group made their way to the Harper family’s game room.


    However, a new dilemma arose. They chose to y Bridge, which required four yers, but there were seven of them. This meant three people had to sit out.


    Matias immediately imed a seat, rubbing his hands in excitement, but Evelyn stopped him. “You’re still in school. This isn’t for you.”


    Matias frowned. “Why not? Javier is a student too, and he’s ying—”


    Before Matias could finish, Javier was also disqualified. Javier was dumbfounded.


    With the two of them out, five remained.


    Evelyn had already secured a spot, as had Louis. That left Jeffry, Elena, and Elyse.


    Elyse was about to take her seat when Jeffry’s deep voice cut through the air. “Elena, do you know how to y?” Pausing briefly, Elena gave a small nod. “A bit.”


    If Lydia were around, she would have been stunned. Elena considered a major casino win to be what she called “a bit.”


    Jeffry remained silent. Instead of joining, he pulled out a chair and sat behind Elena, making it clear he wouldn’t be participating.


    The two seats opposite each other were soon upied by Elena and Elyse.


    gα?ησν????s?c???? brings imagination alive


    Louis took the spot beside Elena, while Evelyn sat on her other side.


    As the game kicked off, Elyse suddenly asked, “Aren’t we supposed to have something at stake for…” She trailed off deliberately, her gazending on Elena.


    Having often yed bridge with Samira, Elyse was no stranger to card games and had a knack for them.


    When Elena humbly mentioned she knew “a bit,” Elyse assumed she was inexperienced.


    Now that an opportunity had seemingly presented itself, Elyse wasn’t about to waste it.


    Alexander and Jolie had showered Elena with extravagant presents, something Elyse had long resented. She deemed this her chance to im a piece of that wealth for herself.


    Eager to impress Jeffry, Evelyn confidently pulled out a bundle of cash. “Of course, we need stakes. This should do, right?”


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