Chapter 2143


    He pped 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 ady. 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 nonchnt nce 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?"


    This content is ? N?velDrama.Org.


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


    Three aces. Everyone was taken aback.


    Gabriel had drawn the smallest cardsst round, and now the biggest—it was indeed unexpected.


    Magdalen pped, 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 awkwardugh. "Gabriel,


    you are generous. No worries, whatever Evelyn loses, I''ll cover."


    Estelle''s gaze was cool as she nced 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


    toe 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''spany isn''t enough to keep Ms. Jarvis away."


    Eugene''s smile stiffened for a moment, quickly exining, "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."