Chapter 7
I played distractedly for the remainder of the game.
After several rounds, nearly all the chips had returned to Julian.
Jade happily declared the game over, suggesting everyone go for late–night food. But no one dared move.
With Julian present, the usual rowdy group became uncharacteristically quiet and well–behaved.
By family rank, he was Jade’s uncle–the designated heir to the Storm empire, groomed for greatness since
childhood.
When ten–year–old Maddox was playing in mud puddles with five–year–old me, thirteen–year–old Julian was already reading financial journals by the window.
Though barely older than us, he carried the family’s future and expectations, always appearing mature and composed. This created a natural distance that made all the children fear him, respectfully addressing him as
“Uncle.”
No one would leave until he gave permission.
I stretched, feeling soreness in my back from the earlier car accident.
Julian discreetly glanced at me and said quietly: “Let’s call it a night.”
Hearing this, Raine immediately put down his cards, eagerly responding to Jade: “Are you hungry? What would you
like to eat?”
Maddox teased: “Well, look at you being so attentive to Jade! Why aren’t you asking us what we want?”
Jade’s face flushed as she exchanged glances with Raine, who smiled suggestively. This was treatment I’d never
received.
How cautious he’d been with me! In two years, he never dared give me a meaningful look in front of elders or my brother, let alone openly displaying affection like this.
The heartache returned, and I lowered my head to stare at the card table, not wanting anyone to see my pained
expression.
Suddenly, a long–fingered hand appeared before me–Julian pushed all his chips toward me.
I looked up at him in surprise as he said in a rich, deep voice:
“Pocket money. Consider it a welcome gift. It’s been a while, Lyra.”
After ignoring my earlier greeting, this unprompted acknowledgment caught me off guard. And he’d just casually given me what must be a seven–figure sum in chips.
11:– Uottor Rival Stole the Spotlight
3.9%
Chapter 7
Everyone in the room–all sharp, perceptive people–exchanged knowing glances between us.
I felt my cheeks burning, Julian, however, seemed completely unbothered, calmly watching me with the hint of a
smile.
Jade broke the tension, pretending to be upset: “Weren’t you winning those chips for me? You wouldn’t buy me a car. How come you’re so generous with Lyra?”
Julian leaned back in his chair, eyes half–closed, casually responding: “Go pick one out. Put it on my account.”
She cheered, grabbing Raine’s hand and asking him to accompany her car shopping tomorrow.
Yet Raine didn’t react, his hand hanging limply by his side. He stared intently at me, his eyes swirling with strange
emotions.
This was the first time in public that he’d lost his usual composure.
“Uncle Julian and Lyra… seem quite familiar with each other?”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.