The underlying logic and statistics of the poker game were right up Curtis'' alley, given his professional


    background in finance and economics. Plus, with Leanne''s unusual good luck, the tide at the poker


    table had turned, quickly evolving into a scenario where she was the sole winner. Frustrated and on the


    verge of desperation, Joy couldn''t help but look around andin, "Where''s my boyfriend? Why


    isn''t he here to see this?" Devin snorted dismissively, "Even if your boyfriend were here, you''d probably


    be losing even worse."


    Leanne had won back everything she had put out and then some, leaving Curtis to look at her with a


    smile and a twinkle in his eye. "Having fun?"


    "A lot," Leanne finally understood the game''s allure, "but it''s not as fun without you."


    Without him, she hardly ever won.


    That admission brought a smile to Curtis'' face. He affectionately pinched her cheek and transferred a


    bit of "good luck" money to the other three from his phone.


    "Consider itpensation for your spirits."


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


    To cheer up his wife, Curtis extended a gesture of goodwill toward the other three. "You guys spent all


    night ying cards, lost money, and got nopany. Pretty sad. Use it to treat yourselves."


    When Joy cynically pocketed the money, her smile vanished.


    Selina and Devin were both speechless.


    "What''s with you?" Halfughing and half crying, Leanne quickly pulled him away, fearing the others


    might cry out of frustration.


    As they left, the lightness in Leanne''s heart slightly faded. Curtis naturally and smoothly took her bag,


    which contained Wilbur''s notebook that she hadn''t looked through.


    The modest, old notebook suddenly seemed a fearsome beast, potentially biting her with a bloody bite


    if opened.


    Leanne suddenly realized how terrified she was of losing Curtis.


    She tightened her grip on his hand. Sensing it, Curtis looked at her with a smile, his fingers tightening


    around hers.


    Once they were in the car, Leanne sat quietly for a moment before suddenly unbuckling her seatbelt,


    climbing over the center console, and onto Curtis''p.


    Curtis steadied her by the waist, amused and surprised. "What''s this, little monkey? Climbing over here


    for what?"


    Leanne didn''t answer but instead initiated a kiss.


    She had be increasingly clingy these days, which Curtis found quite enjoyable. He leaned in to


    kiss her tender, soft lips, sharing a breath that was exclusively theirs.


    She had had a bit to drink, carrying the sweet scent of champagne.


    Alcohol was good, always adding a bit of surprise to their encounters.


    The initial kiss was innocent, but gradually, it deepened, the warmth in their breaths escting.


    As the car pulled into Leanne''s Castle and stopped in the garage, Jake didn''t dare turn around. "Mr.


    Curtis, ma''am, we''re home."


    Curtis carried Leanne out of the car, through the serene nighttime garden, and into the house in the


    warm glow of the sensor lights.


    Sitting on the sofa with Leanne in his arms, he gently traced her earlobe and asked, "What''s got into


    you today?"


    Leanne looked straight at his deep-set eyes, brows, handsome nose, and thin lips that kissed her so


    well. "Curtis, I love you so much," she said.