Chapter: 246

Mrs. Reyes, sensing Alicia's uneasiness, leaned back in her chair, her smile almost predatory. “What's wrong, Ms. Bennett? Are you afraid to play with me?"

Alicia's gaze sharpened as she met the challenge head-on. "Mrs. Reyes, how much do you want to play for?"

Mrs. Reyes smirked. “Not much. Just three thousand dollars.”

The corners of Alicia's mouth twitched.

Three thousand dollars?

She should have expected as much.

Alicia had been around enough high-stakes games to know the rules of the table: one bad round, and you could lose tens of thousands in an instant.

And these women-smirking behind their perfectly manicured facades-were pros at exploiting her weaknesses.

Mrs. Reyes's eyes gleamed when Alicia stayed silent, her laughter laced with cruelty. "What's the matter, Ms. Bennett? Is it getting too much for you? I thought Mr. Yates would've left you plenty of money after the divorce. Surely you can spare a little for some entertainment?"

Alicia's expression remained cool, her voice steady. “Then you must teach me how to play, Mrs. Reyes.”

Mrs. Reyes's lips curled in a mocking smile. “Oh, no trouble. I'LL be more than happy to teach you again."

As the cards were shuffled with a soft rustle, Alicia discreetly reached for her phone under the table, typing out a message to Caden with swift precision.

“Where are you? You'd better get your ass over here now! I'm in trouble!"

Meanwhile, Caden was still at the airport.

He had been expecting to be at the Gray family estate by nine, but fate had other plans. Just as he was about to leave, a call from his butler threw his evening into disarray.

Apparently, Ciara had suddenly arrived in Warrington and insisted that Caden personally fetch her.

It was her first time in the city, and despite the inconvenience, Caden couldn't deny the elderly woman's request.

Glancing down at Alicia's message, he rubbed his thumb across the screen, a frown creasing his brow. He turned to Hank beside him.

"How Long is the flight delayed?"

"About half an hour," Hank replied.

"Still don't know when it will arrive?"

Hank, sensing his boss's agitation, quickly made a call to check the status.

When he returned, his expression had darkened. "Mr. Ward, the flight never took off due to weather issues. Mrs. Ward's plane is still grounded, and they're not sure when she'll be in the air."

Caden let out a frustrated breath, his patience wearing thin.

"I thought they said she was about to land."

Hank gave a helpless shrug. “Mrs. Ward isn't always.. accurate."

Still, Caden couldn't stay angry at Ciara.

Despite her unpredictability, he always treated her with a gentleness that few others saw. Even now, his face softened at the thought of the old lady.

He stood, his voice a low command. "Get the car. We're leaving.”

Just then, his phone chirped.