Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 40

**Faith Didn’t Survive Time – by Aadi Sharma**
**Chapter 40**

In the dimly lit room, the air was thick with anticipation as the first round of the poker game unfolded. Seven players, each with their own stories and ambitions, chose to fold, leaving only Adam, Jasper, and Conrad to engage in a fierce battle of wits and strategy. The tension was palpable, and Adam could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins when Conrad finally decided to fold. A surge of confidence washed over him as he raised his bet to an audacious one and a half million, a bold move that sent ripples of intrigue around the table.

When the cards were finally revealed, Adam’s heart raced with exhilaration as he laid down a straight flush, triumphantly outshining Jasper’s pair of aces. The thrill of victory was intoxicating.

“Well played, Mr. Zeller,” Adam chuckled, his laughter echoing in the room, his face radiating a mixture of triumph and delight. The tension that had filled the air moments before dissipated, replaced by a sense of camaraderie.

Renee, the dealer, pushed the chips toward Adam with a knowing smile before gathering the cards to shuffle for the next hand. Her movements were fluid and practiced, a dance she had perfected over countless games.

“That was quite a lucky hand you had there, Ms. Whitley,” one of the onlookers remarked, a playful glint in his eye. “Are you sure you’re not pulling any tricks?”

“Yeah, she must be letting him win,” another chimed in, laughter punctuating the air.

“If she’s cheating, you can bet Mr. Zeller won’t let it slide,” a third added, his tone conspiratorial.

The banter continued, lighthearted yet charged with underlying tension. The men seated at the table, all wealthy and influential, brushed off the loss of money as if it were mere pocket change. Yet the women nearby leaned in closer, whispering and gossiping, their curiosity piqued by the unfolding drama.

Renee, however, remained unfazed by the chatter. She shuffled the cards with an air of confidence, her focus unwavering as she dealt the next hand.

As the game progressed, fortunes shifted like the tides. Conrad claimed victory in the second round, Julian took the third, Chris seized the fourth, and Caspian emerged triumphant in the fifth. Jasper, once a formidable player, had already seen over twenty million slip through his fingers, each loss weighing heavier on his shoulders.

With a cigarette dangling from his lips, Jasper’s sharp gaze flicked to Renee, a hint of frustration shadowing his features. “Ms. Whitley, are you harboring a grudge against me? What other explanation could there be for these dreadful cards?” His tone was teasing, yet a flicker of genuine annoyance lingered beneath the surface.

Renee offered a gentle smile, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Mr. Zeller, you’re being quite unfair. I still have ten million riding on you, after all.” She continued dealing, her hands moving with a practiced grace.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of Jasper’s lips, a spark of amusement lighting up his features. “If you say so,” he replied, the challenge of the game igniting something deeper within him.

The atmosphere around the table shifted as everyone took note of the exchange. Eyes darted between Renee and Jasper, then landed on Adam, who remained silent but observant. The unspoken tension hung in the air, thick and electric.

Adam took a slow sip of his coffee, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Renee. She was captivating, her beauty accentuated by her radiant smile. Her soft, bright eyes held a charm that was both innocent and mischievous, capable of making hearts race.

Yet, as he watched her beam at Jasper, a sharp pang of jealousy twisted in his gut. Damn it. She was supposed to keep Jasper company for just a little while. Did she really need to flirt so openly?

“Mr. Zeller, are you truly going in blind? After all those losses, are you sure that’s wise?” someone teased, laughter bubbling up from the group.

Jasper shrugged nonchalantly, the cigarette still resting between his fingers. “It’s just for fun. I’m here for the thrill,” he declared, his voice steady, betraying no hint of the turmoil that might have been brewing beneath his calm exterior.