Alpha's Private Plaything (Elsa and Drake Stone) novel Chapter 270

Elsa

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I made it to the Rose Dining Room in just under seven minutes, slightly breathless from hurrying through the winding corridors of Silver Moon Manor. My heart pounded from the exertion, and I paused momentarily to smooth down my hair and compose myself. The restaurant was the most exclusive dining venue in the resort, known for its intimate atmosphere and exceptional cuisine.

As I approached the ornate entrance, I noticed a small crowd of women gathered just inside, their postures tense as they peered toward something happening further in the restaurant.

“Did you see that?” one woman whispered to another. “I can’t believe she just did that!”

“Someone should call security,” another replied, her voice thick with excitement at the drama unfolding.

A tall woman in a red dress noticed me hovering at the entrance and gave me a quick once–over. “Are you here for the show too? Ava Kim

and Emma Watson are at each other’s throats.”

My stomach dropped, and I felt my pulse quicken. “Ava and Emma? What happened?” I asked, my voice higher than normal.

The woman leaned closer, eager to share the gossip. “Apparently, Emma saw Ava getting cozy with Drake Stone during the card game, and she wasn’t happy about it. They’re causing quite the scene.”

Drake and Ava? The information didn’t compute. I blinked rapidly, trying to process this new development. Ava had just been crying over

Joseph in the hallway less than an hour ago.

“The card game’s already started?” I asked, momentarily confused, my brow furrowing. Drake had just called me to come down.

“It’s been going for about twenty minutes,” the woman confirmed, looking at me curiously. “Are you with the Black Obsidian pack too?”

Before I could answer, a commotion from inside the restaurant drew everyone’s attention. I heard raised voices, then a collective gasp

from the onlookers.

“Come on,” the woman in red urged, grabbing my arm. “We’re missing it!”

Against my better judgment, I allowed myself to be pulled along with the group of spectators moving deeper into the restaurant, my feet dragging slightly as anxiety twisted my gut.

The scene that greeted me was something out of a reality TV show. Drake sat at a round table with several other men, cards in hand, his expression unreadable. Ava stood behind him, leaning close, her hand resting casually on his shoulder as she whispered something in his ear. Her earlier distress had vanished entirely, replaced by a coy smile and calculated body language.

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16:42 Wed, May 6

Chapter 270

Emma Watson stood opposite them, her face flushed with anger, hands planted on her hips in a confrontational stance.

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“I believe that’s my seat,” Emma was saying, her voice carrying clearly across the now–silent restaurant. “I was only gone for five minutes.”

Ava’s smile widened, but she made no move to step away from Drake. “There are plenty of other seats, Emma. Drake and I were just catching up on old times.”

I watched as Ava’s fingers traced a small circle on Drake’s shoulder, a gesture so intimate it made my stomach clench despite myself. A sour taste filled my mouth, and I swallowed hard. Drake continued studying his cards, apparently oblivious to the tension between the women, though I knew him well enough to recognize the slight tightening around his eyes.

“Old times?” Emma’s laugh was brittle. “How interesting. I wasn’t aware you two had a history.”

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