Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)

Chapter 2143

He slapped down another three bucks worth of chips, and Gabriel across the table matched it with a casual flick of his wrist.

Timothy snorted silently, convinced Gabriel was deliberately butting heads with him.

Completely unaware of Gabriel's true identity, Timothy racked his brain but couldn't recall any prominent Carnes family in J City. He figured Gabriel was just puffing up his chest, trying to impress Sylvia.

With that thought, he brazenly pushed five more chips into the center. He thought, "Think you can outspend me? That's like bringing a knife to a gunfight!"

Sure enough, Gabriel kept pace without batting an eye.

The pot in the middle was nearly overflowing.

Evelyn did a quick tally and estimated the pile was worth tens of thousands. Her heart raced, and she couldn't help but tug at Timothy's sleeve. "Let it go, don't keep raising."

But Timothy wasn't about to show weakness in front of a lady. Just as he was about to up the ante again, Gabriel's calm voice cut through, "Let's reveal our cards."

A smirk of disdain crept onto Timothy's face. He knew it—Gabriel couldn't take the heat.

He thought, "Bring it on, keep betting with me!"

Internally mocking, Timothy put on a magnanimous front. "If you can't handle it, let's show our hands."

Charlie cast a nonchalant glance at Timothy before turning to Carson. "Is this really your friend?"

Carson was embarrassed. "He's my cousin's boyfriend. Came to ask you for a favor, and I'm just the middleman. Handle it however you like."

Charlie's eyes were cool, and he said no more.

Timothy revealed Evelyn's cards first, and Magdalen's smile held a touch of mockery. "Mr. Anderson, no wonder you are so confident. Those are some good cards."

Timothy challenged Gabriel with a look. "Then what about your hand?"

Sylvia flipped her cards. "Didn't lose this time, did we?"

Three aces. Everyone was taken aback.

Gabriel had drawn the smallest cards last round, and now the biggest—it was indeed unexpected. Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Magdalen clapped, her tone meaningful. "Gabriel, with a hand like that, and you still chose to reveal? Anyone else would have milked it until their opponent was left without pants."

Timothy's face flushed with embarrassment and then paled; he forced an awkward laugh. "Gabriel, you are generous. No worries, whatever Evelyn loses, I'll cover."

Estelle's gaze was cool as she glanced at Timothy without a word.

Evelyn stayed silent as well. With that much money on the line, even if asked, she wouldn't be able to come up with it.

Sylvia chuckled. "We're all just having fun here. After this, everyone can take their chips back home. Think of it as my treat."

Charlie grinned. "A win's a win. Take it for now, and we'll settle up at the end."

Sylvia nodded with a warm smile. "Alright then."

Two more hands passed, and Gabriel's phone rang. He excused himself to the balcony to take the call.

Sylvia headed to the restroom, leaving the table for a bit as well.

After washing her face and leaning on the sink for a moment, Sylvia started to leave the restroom only to bump into someone familiar.

"Sylvia."

Eugene approached with excitement. "What are you doing here? You're not here to see me, are you?"

It suddenly dawned on Sylvia that Eugene had mentioned a friend's birthday party—also at 9th Mansion.

Her lips curved slightly. "Just here with some friends."

A friend joked beside Eugene, "Ah, so Eugene's company isn't enough to keep Ms. Jarvis away."

Eugene's smile stiffened for a moment, quickly explaining, "I didn't make things clear to Sylvia. Don't stir trouble here."

Sylvia offered a polite smile, feeling a bit sorry. "Which room is your friend in? I'll go with you to give my regards."

Joy spread across Eugene's face. "That'd be great."

As they made their way to the private room, Evelyn eyed Sylvia's retreating figure with a slight frown.

After her own restroom break, Evelyn returned to find Gabriel wrapping up his call. Noticing Sylvia wasn't at her seat, he instinctively looked around.

Evelyn had a hunch Gabriel was searching for Sylvia and spoke up, "Looking for Ms. Jarvis? I saw her in the hallway earlier. She met up with her boyfriend and left with him."