Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 39

**Chapter 39**

In the dimly lit room, a mixed chorus of agreement and hushed whispers swirled around the table like smoke. Some faces nodded in subtle affirmation, while others exchanged glances, their hands covering their mouths as if to shield their thoughts from the air. But amidst the murmurings, one emotion stood out starkly—Renee’s embarrassment was palpable, radiating from her like heat from a flame.

Kayla, perched nearby with an air of superiority, let out a derisive scoff that was barely audible yet dripping with contempt. Her eyes gleamed with a blend of mockery and satisfaction as she muttered just loud enough for those close by to hear, “Serves her right. What did she expect? Throwing herself at him like some desperate lapdog. As if a man like him would ever glance at a married woman like her!” The disdain in her voice was unmistakable, and it sent a ripple of laughter through the onlookers.

Adam’s gaze remained fixated on Renee, his brow furrowed in concern. He could see the color ebbing from her cheeks, and it stirred an unsettling feeling within him. Yet, he knew he had to stay focused; securing this deal with the Everest Group was crucial. The stakes were high, and there was no room for distractions.

With a subtle nod, he shot Renee a look, a silent command urging her to rise and deal the cards. His attention was so singularly fixed on her that he completely missed Kayla’s snide remark that hung in the air beside him like a heavy cloud.

After what felt like an eternity of silence, Renee remained motionless, her inner turmoil evident. Finally, a woman clad in a tight red dress, her makeup bold and exaggerated, broke the tension. “What’s the delay, Ms. Whitley? Are you reluctant to do your job? Or is it that you think you’re above Mr. Zeller?” Her words dripped with sarcasm, and the crowd leaned in, eager for the unfolding drama.

Another voice chimed in, “Exactly! It’s a tremendous honor that Mr. Zeller chose you to deal.” The laughter that followed was sharp, cutting through the air like a knife.

It was a common frustration that women often found themselves pitted against each other, and in this case, jealousy was the venom fueling the fire. As Renee’s eyes darted to the two women, a surge of anger coursed through her veins. The urge to slap them both was nearly overwhelming, but she fought to maintain her composure, focusing instead on the task at hand. Just then, Jasper’s piercing gaze landed on her, his eyes demanding an explanation.

“What’s the matter, Ms. Whitley? Are you hesitant?” he prodded, his tone both teasing and challenging.

“Mr. Zeller, surely you jest. I’m merely concerned I might make a mistake,” Renee replied, shooting him a quick glare that flickered with defiance before she finally stood up, taking the cards from the dealer with a grace that belied her inner turmoil.

As she opened a fresh deck of cards, her fingers fumbled awkwardly while shuffling. With a sudden slip, the entire deck cascaded onto the table, and laughter erupted around her like a wave crashing against the shore.

“Clumsy as ever. Can’t even shuffle!” one voice jeered.

Setting the entire stack in front of Jasper, she announced, “This is my entire spending money. If you lose, that’s on me. But if you win, I expect a quarter of the pot. Deal?”

Kayla, unable to contain herself, rolled her eyes dramatically and exclaimed, “Adam, is Renee out of her mind? That’s ten million! What a ridiculous waste of money!”

Adam’s brow furrowed in confusion at first, but as he considered the situation, clarity dawned. He knew Renee all too well; she had a knack for playing her cards right. This was a clever strategy to grab Jasper’s attention, and it was working far better than anyone could have anticipated.

Jasper nodded, his expression serious yet intrigued. “No problem, but…” he paused deliberately, a smirk dancing on his lips. “If you lose, don’t come crying to me.”

Renee’s lips curled into a faint, confident smile. “I can handle playing and losing just fine.” The playful banter hung in the air, thick with tension and anticipation, as the game began to unfold around them.