"Boyfriend?" Magdalen arched an eyebrow, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. "Since when did Sylvia snag a beau?"
Evelyn offered an explanation, "You know, the guy she had dinner with at Ms. Jarvis'. Isn't he her boyfriend?"
Magdalen chuckled, her tone teasing, "Sharing a meal now means you're dating? Oh, girl, you're such an innocent soul."
Evelyn's cheeks flushed pink, and she fell silent.
"Sylvia's tied up with something. Looks like she'll be a while. Let's keep the game rolling," Marina shifted the focus, signaling the waiter to shuffle and deal a new hand.
Gabriel slid his chips forward, "Play on without me. I need a smoke."
As Gabriel stepped out, Magdalen's eyes followed him, her brow quirked ever so slightly.
With Sylvia absent, Timothy seemed distracted, his heart not quite in the game. He wasn't much help to Evelyn with her cards and soon excused himself under some pretense.
Timothy wandered the corridor and, sure enough, bumped into Sylvia.
"Ms. Jarvis," He quickened his pace to greet her.
Sylvia offered a polite smile, "Timothy."
He stared at her intently, "Ms. Jarvis, have you given any thought to my offer? Join my company. You'd just need to accompany me to social gatherings. I promise I'll pay you more than what you'd make running your own business."
The hallway was quiet, dim. Sylvia took a step back, maintaining her courteous demeanor, "I've heard your girlfriend, the second daughter of the Foster family, is both beautiful and skilled in public relations. She would be more fitting as a partner in your company, don't you think?"
Timothy inched closer, his voice low, "Let's not beat around the bush, Ms. Jarvis. I've taken a liking to you since our first meeting. If you'd come work for me, I assure you, you'd want for nothing."
Sylvia's expression cooled, "Timothy, you came with Mr. Foster. What do you think he'd say if he knew his future brother-in-law was making advances on another woman in secret?"
Just as Sylvia was about to kick out, she caught sight of the man smoking behind the wooden partition, and she held back, merely struggling, "Let go of me."
"What are you going to do if I don't? Don't play coy with me. If you want something, just say it!" his voice was sinister, "We're all in business here. Name your price, and stop putting on airs."
"If you don't let go, I'll call for help," Sylvia's anger was palpable.
"Call out. You think anyone will believe a PR girl claiming she was forced? They'll take my side," Timothy was confident, dragging Sylvia toward an adjacent private room, "Maybe I should just see for myself how much you're worth?"
"Let go of me."
Timothy paused, following Sylvia's gaze to see a tall, imposing man approaching—none other than Gabriel, who had been playing cards with Sylvia earlier.

Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan)
This was classic updates. Thank you so much...
May we please have updates. Thank you...
I sincerely hope that Gonzalez finds the taped meeting of Hannah and Trevor to throw them under the bus....
How will Gonzalez get back at Hannah, Yvonne and Trevor for the setup and fall from grace....
Adrian needs to safe face and not do this. It will embarrass he and Norah and his family. Thank you for the updates....
This a HOT MESS for them both....
WOW! I didn't see that coming at all for Norah nor Gonzalez, the plot thickens. Thank you for the updates....
Xavier wants to get caught kissing Norah at this point. When will he ask her to call him Xavier and not Gonzalez. Maybe that would bring back her memories. Thank you for the updates....
So, Norah drew out the big guns with her call to Jonathan for a favor. Thank you for the updates....
Waiting patiently for your updates please....