So, Diana and Charles were locked in a stare-off, but Diana's jaw started aching, and she had to give in first.
Charles was fuming inside, barely holding back from tossing her to the floor.
Oh, the irony. Diana, who once claimed she was head over heels for him, chasing him like a lost puppy when they got hitched.
Even after the split, she didn't think twice about getting his data, Clara, in hot water with the cops. Now she was playing hard to get. Alright, let's see how long she can keep up this act.
Diana sat down, trying to look all calm and sweet.
Charles's eyes flashed dangerously. He snapped his fingers, and a waiter rushed over. "Sir, what can I get you?"
"Just drinking is dull. How about a game?" Charles's tone made it clear it wasn't really a question.
Everyone, except the two older bosses, was all in for some drinking games.
Diana felt a bit uneasy, sensing Charles was up to something. But for the Spencer Group's inheritance, she decided to play along.
"Since no one objects, let's get started," Charles said.
The game was simple: a deck of cards matching the number of people, one Joker, the rest number cards. The Joker could make anyone with two number cards do anything.
The waiter dealt the cards, and Diana clutched hers tight, hiding it from Charles.
First round, Diana drew a 3. The Joker was the girl across from her, who looked nervous.
All the guys at the table were either loaded or powerful, so the game couldn't get too wild. Her request was pretty tame. "Um... number 3 and..."
Diana held her breath, hoping it wouldn't be too bad.
"Number 3 and number 5, hug for ten seconds."
Phew, just a hug.
Diana sighed in relief and showed her card. "I'm number 3."
Out of nowhere, Matthew stood up. "What a coincidence, I'm number 5. Mr. Percy, you cool with me hugging your lady?"
Charles, casually wiping his hands, smiled. "Of course not, it's just a game. Let's keep it fun."
If Diana had to pick someone to play with, she'd go for one of the girls.
And Matthew was just as bad as Charles in her eyes—one was dangerous, the other a creep.
Matthew, happy with Charles's response, got up and opened his arms. Acting all smooth, he said, "Come on."
Diana looked at Matthew's beer belly and yellow teeth, wanting to bolt. However, the game was on, and everyone was cheering her on.
"Hug him."
"Come on, don't you want to show Mr. Moore some respect?"
Charles sneered inside, 'This is just the start. Enjoy it, Diana.'
Diana held her breath, telling herself it was just a hug. But when they hugged, Matthew's hands wandered to her waist, and the crowd went wild.
Those ten seconds felt like forever. As the crowd counted down, Diana leaned back, but Matthew's grip was firm.
It was only the first round, and Diana already felt she couldn't take it.
The game rolled on. In the second round, the Joker was a playboy.
He held his girl close, teasing, "Baby, you pick."
The girl giggled and planted a kiss on his cheek, saying, "I like number 7."
"Alright!" The guy paused, looking like he was thinking hard about what to say next.
Diana's number card was practically crumpled in her hand—it was a 7. Her heart pounded as she waited for the Joker's command.
"Then, number 7, please cover everyone's tab tonight."
His command was simple. Sure, the bill would be high, but all the guys were members and used to it. Even if a woman got picked, her partner would usually foot the bill.
But Diana was different. Charles was here to mess with her and wouldn't pay. If she refused by drinking, it would make Charles look cheap, which would embarrass him.
For the sake of the Spencer Group, Diana took the hit again. 'It's just money. How bad could it be?' she thought to herself.
Diana slapped her number card on the table, glanced at the Joker, and said, "I'm number 7."
The "Joker's" girl looked thrilled. "Looks like Mr. Percy's lady is my lucky charm. Someone's gonna drop some serious cash tonight."
Everyone exchanged knowing looks, clearly wanting Charles to spend some money, so they silently added more to the tab.
Diana's face tightened, and she could only fume inside. 'These jerks, squeezing me dry!'
But then, as if Charles read her mind, he ordered a few more pricey bottles of wine and said casually, "Since someone else is footing the bill, no need to worry about your cards tonight. Enjoy yourselves."
Everyone was happy, and the third round kicked off. This time, Diana watched the waiter closely. It was fishy that she got picked twice.
But the waiter seemed legit, dealing the cards openly, nothing shady.
When she got her card, Diana peeked at a corner. It was an 8, not the Joker.
Sitting next to her, Charles chuckled, holding his card between his fingers and showing it off. "This round, I got the Joker."
Charles placed the card on the table and rested his chin on his fist, pretending to think. After a bit, he said, "Let's have number 6..."
Hearing it was number 6, Diana relaxed, but then Charles's smile got wider. "Actually, let's have number 8 crawl from the door to me and call me master," he said.
Diana's heart sank. She realized this game was rigged against her.
From the moment she walked in, everyone had been watching her, plotting ways to mess with her to suck up to Charles.
Now, Charles wasn't content just watching; he wanted in on the action.
They looked down on Diana, making her the constant target. Everyone would be the Joker, except her.
Charles, seeing Diana frozen, spread his arms and leaned back on the sofa.
His right hand tapped the sofa rhythmically, the sound clear and deliberate in Diana's ears.
Diana, sitting next to Charles, lowered her head slightly, her hands on her knees like she was thinking.
She placed her card on the table and turned to Charles with a bright smile. "What a coincidence, I'm number 8."
Everyone got it and wasn't too surprised. They already knew Diana's number and they were more interested in seeing her crawl.
The guys were especially excited, wondering what Diana would look like crawling in her outfit today.