Chapter 9

Kylie played poker for the first time, struggling through the game, and lost the first round. 　　 Fortunately, she was a quick learner. After two consecutive losses, she finally grasped the rules. "You've lost two rounds in a row. Are you okay?" Miranda asked with a smile. Kylie glanced at her, offered a faint smile, and replied calmly, "I'm fine." Gabriella, who had been silent until now, suddenly said mockingly, "Ms. Clark really has the life of a rich lady—losing two rounds without even blinking. Samuel may have plenty of money, but it's not like it falls from the sky." Money? What did she mean? Kylie froze for a moment, then turned to Miranda. "Mrs. Miranda, are we playing for money?" "Of course. That's what makes it fun," Gabriella smirked. "Ten grand per round. Don't tell me you can't even afford that?" Ten grand per round? Two rounds meant 20 grand—an amount she simply couldn't afford. No wonder they invited her to play. One played the good cop, the other the bad. Their real goal was to humiliate her. Seeing Kylie's embarrassed expression, Gabriella finally felt a sense of satisfaction. A smug smile appeared on her face as she said, "Miranda, don't you know her situation by now? Forget ten grand—she probably can't even come up with a thousand dollars." "I'll cover her losses." The door swung open at that moment, and a tall figure stepped inside. Samuel strode over to Kylie, placing both hands on the back of her chair. Leaning forward slightly, his deep, dark eyes half-narrowed as he glanced at the chips before her. "Did you lose badly?" Kylie answered, "20 grand." "It's fine. I'll take care of it." Startled, Kylie turned to look at him. He was so close that her lips nearly brushed against his cool, pale cheek. Her heartbeat suddenly quickened, and a flush instantly spread across her face. She had been unlucky since childhood—practically a magnet for misfortune. She was the kind of person who could trip over thin air or catch a cold on the sunniest day. She never expected to win, but didn't want to lose too much. After all, it was Samuel's money. And Gabriella was right about one thing—Samuel might be rich, but his money didn't fall from the sky. Seeing Samuel's actions, the expressions of the three people at the table shifted subtly. Kylie was lost in thought as she absentmindedly picked up a card. Just as she was about to discard it, she glanced at her hand and suddenly froze. "I think… I just won." She placed her cards down, her voice tinged with barely contained excitement. "Oh wow, you really did! Looks like having Samuel's backing changes everything—even your luck has improved." Miranda glanced at Kylie's cards while discreetly observing Samuel's reaction. Samuel's gaze fell on Kylie. Her brows lifted in delight, and her eyes sparkled like stars. A flicker of emotion flashed across his face, his expression unreadable. Lowering his voice, he teased, "It's just one win. Do you really have to be this happy?" But Kylie couldn't hide her joy even if she tried. Her bright, clear eyes shimmered, and it was as if her entire being was glowing with excitement. "This is the first time I've ever had such good luck!" She had actually turned her luck around. Could it really be… because of the man beside her? She could clearly catch the crisp, woody scent on him at this close distance, laced with the distinct edge of masculine pheromones. Samuel cast her a sidelong glance. "Want to keep playing?" Kylie stood up. "No, I'm done. Are you finished with work?" "Yeah. Let's go." "Ms. Clark…" Gabriella had just begun to speak when Samuel's razor-sharp gaze swept over, silencing her instantly. "Aunt Gabriella." Samuel stood by the poker table, his imposing frame looming over Gabriella, who remained seated. When he cast that kind of gaze, no one dared to act recklessly—not even the elders of the Vance family. Gabriella sat stiffly in her chair, not daring to utter another word. The entire room fell into a tense silence, with only the faintest sounds of breathing remaining. "Samuel." Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Liana spoke at just the right moment, breaking the stifling tension. "It's almost lunchtime. Gabriella was simply inviting Ms. Clark to stay for a meal, nothing more. Why are you so on edge? Put that 20 grand on my tab. Let's leave the young ones to their business, Gabriella, and keep playing." With practiced ease, Liana changed the subject and pressed the automatic shuffler. Vincent had three sons and a daughter. Liana was married to the Vance family's third son, making her Gabriella's sister-in-law. However, Samuel was the current patriarch of the family. He was a born genius, young and accomplished. With her son in power, Liana's status had risen as well. Though she ranked third, aside from Alissa, she wielded the most influence in the family. As Samuel and Kylie disappeared from view, Miranda couldn't help but ask, "Liana, you know Samuel best. What do you think is going on between him and Ms. Clark?" "That Kylie is nothing but a vixen," Gabriella scoffed. "I heard she was already shameless back in the countryside. And now, after just one night, Samuel is already protecting her like this. Who knows how much pillow talk she whispered to him last night?" Miranda feigned disbelief. "Impossible. Samuel has always been rational—he's never been one to lose himself over a woman." "Samuel may be a genius in business, but he's completely inexperienced when it comes to relationships. He and Iris would have been together long ago if he were the calculating type. How could some nobody from the countryside have the chance to act so boldly?" Gabriella spoke with certainty before sighing dramatically. "Samuel's future is bound to be troublesome." "You have a point." Miranda turned to Liana, who had remained silent. "Liana, your future daughter-in-law isn't simple." Liana let out a cold snort. "Samuel's completely out of her league. As long as I'm here, she can forget about ever stepping into the Vance family." After bidding farewell to Alissa, Kylie followed Samuel out of the Vance residence. Even after getting into the car, the smile on her face didn't fade in the slightest. Samuel cast a sidelong glance at her, who was still lost in her joy. His sharp features could not conceal the simmering edge in his eyes. His voice was cold as he said, "Don't think that just because you have Grandpa as your shield, you can do whatever you want. I didn't expose you back there because I don't want the future Mrs. Vance to be seen as a liar with a tarnished reputation." "I understand." Kylie lowered her gaze, her eyelashes trembling slightly. "Then stop playing your little tricks." Samuel's tone deepened, carrying a quiet warning. "Even if my wife is nothing more than a decoration, she should at least be gentle, obedient, and pleasing to the eye." A decoration… A sharp pain pricked Kylie's heart, dimming the light in her eyes.