The One He Dismissed Became The One He Died For novel Chapter 6

Occasionally, when Yvonne glanced his way, he offered her a faint, indulgent smile.

A new round started, and a card was dealt right in front of Claire.

“It's your turn, Claire. Don't be nervous, we're all just having fun,” Yvonne coaxed sweetly.

Claire reached out to flip her card.

The girl next to her, Daisy, conveniently knocked over a glass, spilling half a drink right onto Claire's dress.

“Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to!”

Daisy frantically grabbed napkins to wipe the spill, leaning over and completely blocking Claire from the rest of the table.

In doing so, she also blocked the unrevealed card on the table.

Daisy's hands moved with practiced speed. While everyone was distracted, she swapped Claire's card with one she had hidden between her fingers.

“I'm fine.”

Claire pulled a tissue from the box and methodically dabbed at the wet stain on her dress.

She had immediately noticed the trick. Her card had been swapped.

“We've played so many rounds. How about we make things a little spicier?” Daisy eagerly suggested.

The group's curiosity peaked. “Spicier? Like what?”

Daisy's eyes darted around, sweeping maliciously over Claire before shooting a rapid glance at Yvonne.

Catching Yvonne's subtle nod of approval, Daisy raised her voice, framing it as a wild joke.

“Whoever draws the lowest card has to do a striptease for everyone! How about that?”

The booth instantly erupted in thunderous cheers and catcalls.

Claire had anticipated the sabotage. She had already stashed the King of Spades behind her seat.

Her expression didn't change. Just as she prepared to seamlessly swap her card for the King of Spades,

Her gaze inadvertently drifted toward the dim corridor behind their booth.

A familiar silhouette was being escorted by a waiter to the adjacent VIP section.

He wore a simple white button-down, sleeves casually rolled up, his sharp profile illuminated perfectly by the neon lounge lights.

Miles Zimmerman.

What was he doing here?

A bold, dangerous thought instantly sparked in her mind.

Claire stood up in the booth, her face deadly pale as her fingers gripped the edge of the Ace of Hearts.

Daisy sneered impatiently. “You pulled the card yourself, Claire. What's the matter? Can't handle losing?”

Claire set the card down and slowly moved her fingers toward the knot buttons at the collar of her dress.

One button. Then a second...

A heated, restless energy rippled through the air.

Out of the corner of her eye, she checked the adjacent booth, ensuring she was positioned exactly where he could see her.

Her fingers worked the next button, the fabric beginning to slip...

An expanse of luminous skin at her collarbone was exposed to the room.

Jefferson's eyes darkened, an uncontrollable surge of intense irritation hitting his chest.

Was she out of her mind? She was actually going to do it! Just as he surged upward to stop her...

*Smash!*

An incredibly sharp, explosive crash violently shattered the noise from the next booth...