Leanne couldn''te up with an excuse fast enough.


    Feeling indignant, Selina puffed out her chest. "What''s the big deal? I''ve got my uses, too."


    "Oh please, you''re nowhere near as useful as Curtis."


    "Well, I''m more useful than you!"


    And with that, the bickering began anew. Leanne quietly backed away from the battlefield, opting


    instead to watch the drama unfold from a safe distance.


    Curtis had been busy these past few days. Theyoff controversy at SolidAxis Engineering didn''t just


    determine the sess of their IPO ns in New York. It also threatened to cast a shadow over


    ElitePinnacle.


    The PR team at SolidAxis Engineering struggled to manage the crisis, but President Brian had


    immense trust in Curtis. Acting on his advice, thepany swiftly released its financial reports,


    addressing the issue head-on. Thanks to ElitePinnacle''s intervention, the situation was quickly defused


    To express his gratitude, President Brian flew to Stonebridge to dine with Curtis, who wrapped up the


    meal early to join the party at Majestic Meadows, already in full swing.


    Entering under the cover of night, he was immediately greeted, "Hey, Curtis!"


    Looking around, he asked, "Where''s Leanne?"


    "Your wife and the others went upstairs for some cards."


    Curtis made his way up, Joy''s boisterousughter echoing through the hallway, "Pay up, pay up!"


    Followed by Selina, "Don''t forget my win, Leanne."


    It was a losing night for Leanne, who quietly transferred money via her phone.


    Reluctantly dragged into the game and dressed in a ck tee and joggers, Devin found ying cards


    with them rather dull. "You don''t have to pay me."


    "It''s only fair," insisted Leanne, a firm believer in ying by the rules, as shepleted the transaction.


    Just then, the slightly ajar door swung open.


    Curtis stepped in, jacket in hand, his white shirt casually unbuttoned at the cor, revealing a pair of


    lengthy legs dressed in medium gray cks, his stride rxed.


    ncing at the card table, he asked, "How much did you lose?"


    "Not much," Leanne tried to save face.


    Joy couldn''t help but gloat. "She hasn''t won a single hand."


    Noticing the slight frustration on Leanne''s face, Curtis'' lips curled into a smile, teasingly remarking,


    "Had I arrived anyter, would we be sleeping on the streets tomorrow?"


    "It''s not that bad," Leanne protested, "I don''t y high stakes."


    So, her modest losses were due to cautious betting.


    Curtis chuckled. "Look at you, being all thrifty."


    Pulling up a chair, he settled behind her, casually crossing his legs. "Let''s see how you''re losing then."


    Leanne hardly ever yed cards, only joining in to make up the numbers for Joy, which left her at a


    beginner''s level.


    Her card ying was slow and deliberate, much to Joy''s impatience. "Stop overthinking it, sweetheart.


    You''re going to lose anyway."


    Curtis nced over, his gaze leisurely sweeping the room. "What''s the rush? Does your watch run


    faster than others, or do you have only 23 hours a day? If you can''t wait, go and run ap around the


    pool and grab some snacks on your way back."


    Seeing Leanne protected by Curtis, Joy bit back her frustration, "Fine. Fine. Take your time!"


    Eager to avoid another argument, Leanne was about to y a card.


    Curtis raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in his voice. "And why would you y that one?"


    Leanne looked at him, then at the other card in her hand, a nine. Wasn''t it obvious?


    "I just don''t like nines," she said.


    Belonging to N?velDrama.Org.


    Curtis nodded. "Fair enough."


    Then, with a casual nod toward the pile of discarded cards, "There are already three nines out there.


    Hang on a little longer and see if you can draw a fifth."