Chapter 76 Intentionally Taking Her to Suffer Humiliation
Bruce nodded. "Yeah."
Julian shot him a look, clearly irritated by his lovestruck expression.
"You're a hopeless lovestruck fool."
Bruce nudged him lightly. "You wish you had someone to be hopeless about. But does anyone even notice you?"
Julian paused, his eyes darkening.
Not only did she ignore him, but she also hated him.
Evelyn was heading back to The Stone Manor tonight.
After picking her up, Bruce drove her straight there.
As she got out of the car, Evelyn leaned in, her red lips brushing Bruce's cheek in a quick kiss. She whispered softly, "Take your friend with you when you leave. He's here every day, more dedicated than the paparazzi."
She glanced toward the dark corner of The Stone Manor.
Bruce followed her gaze and raised an eyebrow.
After Evelyn went inside, Bruce got out of the car and walked over to the vehicle parked in the shadows.
He opened the passenger door and got in.
The car was filled with smoke; it was unclear how many cigarettes Alaric had smoked.
Even Bruce, who smoked himself, almost choked.
He quickly rolled down all the windows. "What, using cigarettes to drown your sorrows?"
Alaric glanced at him, saying nothing.
Bruce patted his shoulder. "I told you to think carefully before getting a divorce."
"How about we go to Enchanted Valley Resort? Play some cards, take your mind off things? Just the few of us, no one else."
Alaric nodded. "Alright."
When Evelyn entered the house, Cordelia was still awake, lying on a recliner reading a book.
Evelyn walked over and sat on the sofa beside her. "I saw Alaric's car outside when I came back. He's probably looking for an excuse to see you."
Cordelia paused her page-turning. "Maybe he was just passing by."
Evelyn teased. "In the middle of the night, with nothing better to do, just passing by The Stone Manor?"
Cordelia's expression remained calm. "You'd have to ask him."
She closed her medical book.
Seeing Cordelia didn't want to talk about Alaric, Evelyn smiled and changed the subject.
At the Enchanted Valley Resort, Bruce and Alaric were the first to arrive.
Sebastian and Jack followed shortly after.
Sebastian had already been removed from the group chat by Alaric once, so he wisely avoided mentioning Janet.
Jack, not seeing Julian, asked, "Where's Julian? Off with another woman?"
Bruce replied calmly, "He's on his way. The four of us can start without him."
Jack didn't mind. Alaric was already dealing the cards.
A few minutes later, Julian's voice came from the doorway.
"You guys didn't wait for me."
He stepped in, accompanied by a woman.
Alaric glanced at Julian and then returned to his cards.
Sebastian and Jack looked uncomfortable.
Bruce quickly distanced himself. "I had no idea."
He had only informed Julian, not expecting him to bring Janet.
Alaric, expressionless, laid down his winning hand.
He calmly collected the money from the table.
Bruce, seeing Alaric's lack of reaction, breathed a sigh of relief.
An extra chair was brought in.
Julian led Janet to sit down.
He deliberately placed Janet beside Alaric.
Alaric remained impassive.
Julian grinned at Janet and then turned to Alaric. "Hey Alaric, deal Janet in too."
The dealer looked at Alaric for confirmation.
Alaric gave a slight nod.
So the dealer dealt Janet her hand.
Janet accepted, her lips pressed together. When the cards were dealt, she picked them up.
Alaric glanced at his cards.
Janet neatly arranged her cards on the table.
Alaric then laid out his cards.
His hand was better than both Janet's and Julian's.
Janet hadn't brought any chips; only Julian had.
The dealer, not immediately collecting Janet's cards, politely reminded her, "Ms. Martin, you lost."
Janet's face stiffened.
Alaric clearly wasn't letting it slide.
He looked at Julian, asking gravely, "Is it on you or Ms. Martin?"
Julian raised an eyebrow.
Janet bit her lip, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment, unsure how to respond.
When she first returned, Julian had brought her to Enchanted Valley Resort, and her losses were covered by Alaric.
She thought it would be the same today.
The dealer, waiting patiently, didn't rush to collect the cards.
Sebastian nudged Jack with his elbow, silently asking, "What's going on?"
Wasn't Janet supposed to be Alaric's beloved?
Why would he embarrass her like this?
Jack shook his head, equally puzzled.
Janet wanted to maintain her dignity in front of Alaric by covering the debt herself. But the stakes were high, each round costing tens of thousands.
She had already lost thirty thousand in one hand.
She looked at Julian, her eyes filled with embarrassment.
Julian raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, put that thirty thousand on my tab."
"Ms. Martin, if you don't have money, you shouldn't play."
He looked up at the dealer. "Deal one less hand."
Janet's lips pressed together, her cheeks flushed with shame. She clenched her hands tightly under the table.
Didn't Julian like her?
Why did it feel like he brought her here to humiliate her?
The interruption didn't affect the others' mood for playing.
Janet stayed, quietly sitting beside Alaric, watching him play.
Alaric had a lucky streak, causing Sebastian and Julian to lose quite a bit, while Bruce remained unscathed.
Bruce, sitting on Alaric's other side, leaned over to look at Alaric's cards after laying down his own.
Janet leaned in too, her whole body tilting towards Alaric.
The scent on Alaric was no longer the fragrance she had given him, but a light, minty smell.
He had still been using her fragrance when she was in the hospital. Why the sudden change?
Her thoughts were in turmoil.
Alaric, noticing Janet leaning towards him, his gaze cold, put down his cards and stood up. He told the dealer, "Keep this round's money as a tip."
Seeing Alaric about to leave, Julian lit a cigarette, took a puff, and told Janet, "Janet, ride with Alaric. I've lost a lot tonight; need to save on gas."
Alaric's eyes turned cold. "You brought her, you take her."
With that, he walked away.
Janet quickly grabbed his arm, her eyes red. "Alaric, am I no longer important to you?"