Chapter 435
Chapter 435
That night, Sophia studied her reflection in the mirror, asking, "So, this is the surprise you were talking about?"
Just then, Katherine walked out in an identical long dress but of a different color. "It's for besties! Aren't you surprised?"
Sophia peered at Katherine, clicking her tongue. "I am. Black and white, eh?"
"Let's go! Getting properly dressed is a must in the city known for gambling."
Although Sophia had no objections to that statement, she asked, "Does Joshua know about this?"
Her question was greeted with silence.
After all, Sophia asked the very question Katherine did not want to hear.
Katherine had her eyes on the dresses when she was in Pillere to watch a fashion show. That was when she told Jonice to order the two dresses.
The dresses were of similar designs and were inlaid with sparkling diamonds. Not only that, the slim- fitting dresses had a crossover neckline, an off-shoulder design, and a large slit, making the two women's figures flattering when they stood, but they were not too revealing.
However, their legs would be exposed through the slits when they walked.
Katherine would never go out in that on her own.
The moment Katherine saw the two models wearing the dresses during the fashion show, she instantly pictured Sophia and her wearing them together.
Alas, there were too many paparazzi in their country. Thus, Katherine did not dare to wear it for fear of trending again once her picture was taken.
Nonetheless, things were different in other countries, and there were fewer people in a casino. It was not too pompous for them to dress a little nicer.
In fact, it was the perfect opportunity for them to go out in those dresses. After all, Katherine had bought them. She did not want them to go to waste sitting in the wardrobe.
Katherine would never allow that to happen.
Pulling at the hem, Katherine arched her brows gleefully. "This is a matching outfit for besties. I'm not the only one wearing it."
Sophia could not help but click her tongue. "So, you're using me as a shield, eh?"
"No way. I just figured this dress suits you. Look, Soph. You look like an elegant princess!"
Sophia checked herself out in the mirror and laughed. "Am I not usually elegant?"
Abruptly, Katherine was at a loss for words. "It's not that... You're usually elegant, but not alluring enough."
Right when she finished her sentence, a knock sounded on the door.
"That must be Josh. I'll go get the door."
With that, Katherine dashed off. Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.
Sophia chuckled as she watched her scurry away. At the same time, she grabbed the shawl on the couch and draped it over herself.
Guilt bubbled within Katherine only when she arrived at the door. Hence, she quickly gave the collar a little upward tug. Although it was a crossover neckline, it was extremely tight around her chest. That was why Katherine felt a little guilty, especially when Joshua was a reserved person.
She adjusted the dress a little before opening the door. "Hey, you're here."
The look in Joshua's gaze shifted when he saw Katherine's dress. "Aren't you cold?"
Lightspring had typical subtropical weather. The weather in April varied drastically between daytime and nighttime. It could go over twenty degrees Celsius during the day and below ten degrees Celsius during the night.
"Nope. There's air-conditioning in here, and a heater in the car. I won't—"
Katherine paused halfway as she was beginning to feel uncomfortable under his stare. "I-I guess it's a little cold. I'd better put on a coat."
She dashed off to grab her coat immediately after she finished her sentence.
To Katherine's surprise, Sophia had gotten the coat ready. When she saw Katherine returning, the former instantly tossed her the coat.
Katherine looked a little disappointed as she accepted the coat.
After all, Katherine was looking forward to making a grand entrance with Sophia in their matching outfit. And now, her hopes were shattered.
Sophia glanced at Katherine and gave the latter a nudge. "Ms. Famous, are we still going to the casino?"
"Of course! Let's go!"
Sophia had been working day and night for the past six months. Now that Katherine finally had the chance to bring the former out, she naturally would not let Sophia go back so easily.
Although Sophia looked fine since Alexander's disappearance, she had been on endless business trips for the past six months.
Back then, she was never involved in Odyssey and Sunshine Group. Yet, she currently had to take care of every little matter herself.
Katherine had no idea how it felt to be truly swamped with work until she learned Sophia was always in a meeting or at work whenever she asked the latter out.
Surprisingly, both Katherine and Sophia had not met up in person for almost four months.
If Sophia had not had a business discussion in Lightspring, they might not have met for six whole months.
Of course, Katherine was well aware of the reason behind Sophia's hectic schedule.
Humans tended to overthink when they were unoccupied. Moreover, there were no traces of Alexander even after six months.
Worried Sophia might change her mind, Katherine quickly took the former's hand and walked out.
Sophia flashed Joshua a helpless smile. "Please hold on to your wife's hand, Mr. Lewis."
Casting Katherine an exasperated look, Joshua said, "I think she prefers to be with you now."
"Soph, I'm going to cry if you try to leave me again."
Sophia laughed. "Let's go."
The trio got off in front of the city's most famous hotel. It had a casino inside, which made things convenient for them.
It was still early by the time they arrived, so the casino was not crowded.
As it was their first time visiting the casino, Katherine was stunned by the luxurious interior.
"Oh my goodness. Are those golden pillars made of real gold?"
Her question made Sophia laugh. "Why don't you bite on it to see if it's real?"
Katherine shook her head. "It's too inappropriate. There are too many people here."
Sophia was rendered speechless.
She never expected Katherine to consider that idea. Looks like I've overestimated her.
There were many ways to get rich in a casino. Of course, one could go bankrupt overnight if they were not careful.
Sure enough, the casino was not cold. Hence, Katherine quickly removed her coat when Joshua left to exchange some casino chips.
As soon as Katherine removed it, she tugged at Sophia's shawl. "Don't you feel hot?"
Sophia caught Katherine's hand, saying, "I'm fine. It's not too hot."
Katherine simply tugged at the shawl without removing it. When she saw Sophia meeting her gaze with a half-smile, she shrugged and stopped forcing the latter.
Soon, Joshua returned with the chips. Not many chips could be exchanged with three hundred thousand.
Meanwhile, Katherine had done some research earlier. She did not know how to play complicated
games, but she thought she could try out those machines that relied on luck.
As soon as Joshua returned with the chips, Katherine took Sophia's hand and approached the machine in the distance.
However, Sophia shrugged Katherine's hand away. "You should go with Joshua. I can play over there."
Sophia pointed at a gambling table in the distance. She figured they were playing baccarat there. Baccarat isn't difficult. Every player's given three cards. The ones with letters K, Q, J, and the value ten are zero. The other cards' values will remain. Whoever has the largest single digit after adding all the cards' values wins.
Katherine was a little hesitant. "I don't think it's wise to leave you alone."
There were more men at the gambling table compared to women. Katherine could not help but worry as she gazed at Sophia's pretty face.
Sophia chuckled. "Why not? Enjoy your time."
When she finished, she lifted her feet and marched off.
It was rather eye-catching to have someone with Aplothian features at the gambling table all of a sudden.
Regardless, Sophia did not lose her cool. The way she stood there calmly made the others soon retract their gazes.
Baccarat depended on the players' luck, but the truth was that the casino had control over everything.
Thus, it was crucial for players to know their limit.
Sophia made small bets on every round, and she would leave every gambling table with a few extra chips.
The most important skill in gambling was to know when to stop.
Therefore, Sophia only played a few rounds at one table before trying out other games. Even though she did not like the bustling atmosphere of the casino, the games gave her a sense of gratification.
After roaming around for more than half an hour, Sophia stopped playing. She grabbed a glass of juice and watched the games from the side.
"Stop right there, Anson!"
Sophia's attention was captured when she heard someone use Chanaean in a foreign land.
She looked over instinctively, only to find a woman in a red dress hurrying past as if she was chasing after someone.
Soon, the other party vanished from her sight. Shifting her gaze, Sophia put down the glass in her hand and joined the table that played Granatanolan poker with a few chips.
Let's try something more exciting.
It was an exciting game, indeed. In just one round, she doubled her chips.
An Epean man beside her tried to flirt with her in Ustranasion. Sophia merely smiled and waited for him to finish speaking before saying, "Sorry. I'm not fluent in Ustranasion."
The man wanted to say something, but after studying her for some time, he apologized and scooted to the side.
Meanwhile, Sophia sat upright and placed her first bet for the second round.
The dealer dealt the cards again while Sophia twirled a chip mindlessly.
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out. "Shall we make a bet? If you lose, you'll stop pestering me. If I lose, I'll keep you company for the whole day tomorrow."
Sophia's hand that was playing with the chip froze, and she looked up at the man in a black shirt sitting across the table. The moment she realized who he was, she stood up and knocked over the pile of chips in front of her. As they scattered onto the ground, the foreigner beside her said, "Hey, your chips fell."
Seemingly sensing her gaze, the man across the table looked up.