Chapter 52


    Chapter 52


    Cornelia knew this card game differed from the one they had yed before, so she didn’t bother joining


    As she was about to decline, Marcus said. “Just y for fun. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose.”


    Cornelia had no choice but to join, but she dared not to y. She was afraid of identally losing a


    house.


    Steven said. “Marc, life is only a few decades long, be good to yourself while you’re young, and have a


    proper romance


    Marcus ignored him, only hearing Cornelia’s barely audible cry for help, “President Hartley, are you


    going to bet?”


    Marcus stretched out his hand and pushed out a stack of chips. ‘Don’t worry, just y casually”


    Because he was very close, Cornelia smelled the faint woody fragrance on him. She was a little


    stunned for a moment.


    Steven noticed their little interaction and teased with a smile, “Marc, do you have a crush on someone


    that’s causing trouble between you and your wife?”


    Steven deliberately nced at Cornelia, hinting very clearly


    Marcus gave him a stern lock, “You can say that about me, but don’t damage the girl’s reputation.”


    Steven shrugged. “Just go for it if you like someone!”


    Marcus said, “Focus on the game”


    Steven said, “Alright, alright”


    They spent the whole afternoon at the card table. Everyone had a great time except for Cornelia. She


    felt like each minute was torture


    In the end, Marcus lost all his chips because of Cornelia


    Steven was cheerful. “Marc, you finally lost. We need to figure out how much you should pay.”


    Marcus gently pushed the silver frame of his sses up his nose. “What do you want?”


    Steven didn’t hesitate, “Just give me the CREST project.”


    The CREST project was the Hartley Group’s biggest end of the year project. They had already invested


    a lot in the early stages. Cornelia was terrified. It was not just a house at risk, but billions of dors!


    She looked at Marcus with an apologetic expression. She would never have participated if she knew


    the stakes were so high.


    “I urged you to y. I’m not afraid to lose.” Marcusforted Cornelia. He then took out his phone and


    called someone. “Well withdraw from the CREST projectpetition”


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    Steven gave him a thumbs up. “Marc, you’re so generous.”


    He continued, “It’s gettingte. Let’s go for dinner. After dinner, I still have to have ate night snack


    with my wife.”


    At this point, Cornelia didn’t know that Steven’ste–night snack was not what she thought of. She only


    understood the meaning after she checked in.


    The guest rooms here were in a three–story wooden building, which Marcus used exclusively for


    entertaining friends and never hosted foreign guests.


    The three couples stayed together. Cornelia was in room 202, Marcus in room 201, and Steven and


    Hannah in room 203.


    The nights in the mountains were quiet, and the temperature was several degrees lower than in the


    city. Staying alone in an empty environment made Cornelia feel scared.


    She was about to call Abigail and Zack when she heard some suggestive soundsing from next


    door.


    Cornelia awkwardly covered her ears but could still clearly hear those noises.


    Ten minutes went by, half an hour, or even longer. The noises finally stoped, and Cornelia thought she


    could sleep peacefully. Suddenly, the rhythmic sounds started again after a short


    while


    She couldn’t stand it anymore. Cornelia put on her coat, nning to hide in the courtyard for a while


    ande back after the couple next door finished.


    However, she didn’t expect to see Marcus calmly smoking a cigarette at the door of room 201 as soon


    as she walked out.