Chapter 29

Chapter 29

Christopher, standing nearby, naturally heard Chloe's comment. He raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on Isabella, seemingly waiting for her response.

"My stomach was a bit off earlier, so I grabbed a bite on the way," Isabella said, half-truthfully, hoping Chloe wouldn't dig any deeper.

The hot springs here were surrounded by a perfect area for camping and barbecuing, where everyone spent the day.

Isabella walked ahead to join the Vertix Atelier group, and Ryan handed her a freshly grilled lamb skewer. "These lamb skewers are pretty good. Want to try?"

Still digesting the oatmeal she had earlier, Isabella found the lamb skewer a bit too greasy and shook her head. 

She picked up a glass of juice and joined the group playing cards.

Normally, Isabella wouldn't mingle much at these team-building events, but today Christopher was present. She preferred playing cards with the group over spending time alone with him.

There were already four or five people playing cards, and adding Isabella made it a bit crowded. Plus, Ryan wanted Christopher to join in as well.

"Alright, Isabella, can you grab two more decks of cards so we can set up another table?" Ryan said.

Feeling obliged after Ryan's invitation, Isabella went to the front desk to get the cards.

Ryan cheerfully approached Christopher. "Mr. Harrison, care to play a few rounds with us?"

Christopher's gaze subtly followed Isabella's retreating figure. "Sure."

When Isabella returned, she found that Ryan had already seated Christopher at the new table. 

Including Ryan and Chloe, plus another colleague who was great at keeping the mood lively, there were five people at the table.

And the seat next to Christopher was conveniently empty, seemingly reserved for her.

Isabella glanced at the neighboring table, pondering how to decline, but Ryan promptly ushered her into the empty seat. "Come on, we've been waiting forever. I'm eager to show off my skills."

Chloe chimed in, "I lost terribly at the other table. Mr. Mitchell, you better not back out if you lose."

The atmosphere quickly became lively, and Isabella felt too embarrassed to ask to switch tables, so she reluctantly stayed.

Hannah, not very good at cards, volunteered to deal.

They played Blackjack, and after a few rounds, Chloe continued to lose badly. 

Initially intimidated by Christopher, Chloe became more relaxed as her losses grew, easing her interactions with him.

Frustrated, Chloe threw her cards down. "I'm done. If I keep playing, I'll lose my year-end bonus. I'm going to join the Truth or Dare game."

She referred to the game the girls at the other table were playing, preferring it over poker.

Seizing the opportunity, Isabella placed her cards in the middle and stood up. "Mr. Mitchell, I'm feeling tired and can't see the cards clearly. I'll join Chloe in the Truth or Dare game."

With Vertix Atelier's small team and a few members sent to Eldridgeville, only about a dozen people attended the team-building event.

Now, with two people dropping out, one of whom was Isabella, Ryan naturally wouldn't bother finding replacements.

Turning to Christopher, Ryan asked, "Mr. Harrison, our young employees are pretty laid-back. You wanna keep playing cards or join the Truth or Dare game?"

The female employees at Vertix Atelier had been watching Christopher's table, and Ryan's loud voice made sure everyone heard.

They held their breath, waiting for Christopher's response, causing the room to quiet down. 

Even the card players noticed the shift and lowered their voices.

Some hoped Christopher would join the Truth or Dare game, while others were just curious.

"Sure," Christopher said, tossing his cards onto the table and standing up, following Isabella's direction.

The girls playing Truth or Dare were thrilled, some even letting out small cheers.

Ryan followed suit, joining them.

The card players at the other table curiously watched the scene unfold.

Ryan hadn't expected Christopher to agree to the game.

He eyed Isabella's cool demeanor, realizing he needed to reassess her importance to Christopher.

Originally, there were only four or five colleagues playing Truth or Dare, gathered around a small square table that was just the right size.

But with the addition of Christopher and the other two, they hurriedly added three camping stools, making the small table seem a bit crowded.

The stools were randomly placed among the group, with no clear seating arrangement.

Aware of Isabella's temperament, Ryan avoided making it too obvious, so the three newcomers sat wherever.

One of the girls spun a beer bottle, skilled at the game, and it landed pointing at Ryan.

The group exchanged amused glances, excitedly asking, "Truth or Dare?"

"Truth," Ryan replied, slightly tipsy.

A bold girl asked, "Mr. Mitchell, have you ever cheated?"

"Absolutely not," Ryan said, finding the question easy. "My wife and I have been together since college. She chose to be with me when I was at my lowest. If I ever betrayed her, I'd be a real jerk!"

The group cheered, and a girl exclaimed, "And she's gorgeous! Mr. Mitchell, you're so lucky!"

Ryan, tipsy and talkative, continued, "That's right. My wife had many suitors, including wealthy ones, but she chose me despite my poverty. I owe it to her to stay faithful."

The group cheered again.

Christopher, amidst the cheerful crowd, suddenly recalled Isabella's charming appearance when she had seen Benjamin off in her pajamas.

His gaze casually fell on Isabella.

Despite the two rounds of cheering, she remained quietly seated, seemingly out of place.

After the cheering subsided, the bottle was spun again, eventually pointing at Isabella.