The Plane Tickets He Hoarded The Wife He Hid novel Chapter 195

195 Chapter 195 The Winning Move

Blanche’s POV

In the hospital room, I found myself leaning against the bedrail.

Kingsley had spread out everything he’d brought across one corner of the bed. Once he’d displayed it all, he gazed at me with hopeful eyes, clearly waiting for me to pick something.

His excitement was so genuine that I couldn’t bring myself to crush his spirits. After considering my options, I pointed toward the small cake. “I’ll take the

small cake.”

Kingsley’s face lit up as he quickly grabbed the small cake and offered it to me.

“Amber, anyone with such a sweet tooth has to be pretty sweet herself,” Kingsley said with a playful grin, his handsome features warming with genuine

affection.

Vincent sat nearby, methodically peeling an orange

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with deliberate precision, as though afraid of damaging the delicate skin.

Despite his apparent focus on the fruit, I caught him stealing glances at me from the corner of his eye.

Since last night, Vincent seemed to sense that something had shifted with me. I’d been distant toward him, though he clearly couldn’t pinpoint exactly what had changed.

Even now, with Kingsley’s presence and my forced smile, Vincent appeared restless. The tension radiating from him was almost palpable.

Maybe it’s because I don’t really know Kingsley yet, I could practically hear him reasoning with himself.

I managed a smile at Kingsley’s comment. “Mr. Jim, you really have a way with words.”

When I called him “Mr. Jim,” Kingsley raised an eyebrow and flashed me a charming wink. “Amber, if you’re comfortable with it, just call me Kingsley.”

I scooped up some cake with my spoon and gave Kingsley a genuine smile. “Okay.”

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The moment I said “okay,” Vincent’s grip on the orange tightened, and he accidentally punctured the peel.

Juice spurted out, droplets landing on my clothes.

Kingsley immediately handed me some tissues, then turned to Vincent with an amused expression. “Vincent, what’s gotten into you? Trying to murder that orange? Now you’ve gotten juice all over Amber.”

Vincent finally set down the mangled, half–peeled

orange.

He grabbed tissues to clean his hands, then looked down at me with concern. “Are you hurt?”

I tilted my head up toward him, shook it gently, and offered a subtle smile. “It’s nothing. I’m not that fragile.”

Vincent noticed my smile and seemed to remember how I’d just agreed to Kingsley’s suggestion.

Maybe she’s just under the weather, I could see him convincing himself.

With that thought apparently settling his mind, Vincent visibly relaxed.

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Observing our dynamic, Kingsley couldn’t resist adding, “Amber, you’re a woman–naturally you deserve to be treated like a queen. But when Vincent messes up, you can’t just let him off the hook. Guys need consequences sometimes, or they’ll think they can get away with anything.”

Vincent shot Kingsley a pointed look. “Nobody asked for your commentary.”

Realizing he’d lose any verbal sparring match with Vincent, Kingsley turned back to me with a

mischievous grin. “Amber, seriously, with someone like Vincent, you can’t be too lenient. He definitely needs you to keep him in line.”

I watched both men banter, maintaining my smile to keep the peace–but internally, I could see through their entire performance.

I really couldn’t be bothered to call them out on it.

Besides, Amara would arrive soon, and then I wouldn’t need Vincent lingering around here anymore.

Seeing that Kingsley wouldn’t quit running his mouth, Vincent glared at him and delivered a few mock

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punches.

Kingsley yelped dramatically and ducked behind me for protection.

Concerned that Kingsley might accidentally jostle me, Vincent commanded, “Get over here.”

Kingsley pressed closer to me and taunted Vincent,

“Make me.”

Vincent massaged his temples, irritation flickering across his expression.

Sensing the rising tension, I quickly intervened to defuse the situation.

“Kingsley, want to play some Gomoku?”

Kingsley had actually brought a Gomoku set among all

the items he’d displayed earlier.

Amara had texted that she needed another hour

before she could get here.

So I figured playing a game would help pass the time while we waited.

Kingsley’s eyes sparkled with interest. “You’re on! I’m

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absolutely unbeatable at Gomoku–nobody can take me down. Don’t blame me when you lose badly,

Amber!”

I gave him a slight smile. “I won’t.”

I wasn’t terrible at Gomoku myself.

Though honestly, it had been quite a while since I’d last played.

Seeing me suggest the game unprompted, Vincent seemed to let go of his beef with Kingsley and backed

off.

Kingsley wasted no time setting up the game board.

I chose the white stones, while Kingsley took the black

ones.

We played several rounds, and I lost each time.

However, my defeats didn’t come easily–Kingsley had to fight hard for every victory.

As we started another round, Vincent quietly rose from his chair beside the bed and settled next to me, the movement so natural it seemed to go unnoticed.

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While Gomoku appeared to be just a simple game, it required real strategy when you played seriously.

Initially, Kingsley and I matched each other move for move, neither gaining a clear advantage.

But in the latter half, one misplaced stone could doom

your entire game.

Just as Kingsley was about to secure another victory, Vincent suddenly reached over and covered my hand with his, guiding my stone to the board in one fluid, intimate gesture.

He leaned in so close that his lips nearly grazed my ear, his voice dropping to a low, gentle murmur, “Place it here—this move will turn everything around.”

That velvet voice sent an unexpected shiver racing through me, throwing my composure into complete disarray.

For that brief moment, I was utterly rattled, my thoughts scattered and breath catching in my throat.

Still, I masked everything behind a composed smile, playing along as I responded softly to Vincent, “That

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move…is perfect.”

With just that single placement, what had seemed like certain defeat suddenly transformed into a winning position–my stones aligned in multiple directions, completely reversing the game and leaving Kingsley stunned.

Vincent’s gaze lingered on the curve of my profile; for a moment, he seemed reluctant to pull away.

Inhaling my subtle fragrance, he gave me a lazy, teasing smile and leaned even closer. “Trust me, this is just the start–I’ve got plenty more tricks up my sleeve. Just stay tuned and see.”

Kingsley watched us getting cozy right in front of him and protested, “Come on, you two are totally ganging up on me. That’s completely unfair!”

Vincent straightened up, fixed Kingsley with a look, and smirked, “Then find yourself a partner.”

Kingsley groaned, “Where exactly am I supposed to find a partner? It’s not like I have backup girlfriends- I’ve been single forever!”

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Vincent seized the opportunity to tease him, “Are you seriously planning to stay single for life?”

While cleaning up the board, Kingsley shot back, “If I can’t find the right person, I’d honestly rather stay

alone.”

Just as Kingsley finished speaking, someone knocked at the door.

I glanced toward the sound and, recognizing Amara’s timing, called out, “Come in.”

The door swung open, and Amara entered, her arms full of shopping bags.

I noticed Kingsley turn and watch Amara walk in, wearing a baseball cap, hoodie, and skinny jeans, with a crossbody bag draped over her shoulder. Her style was refreshingly casual–just basic foundation and a touch of lipstick. Despite her simple outfit, her figure was elegant and statuesque, every curve perfectly proportioned; and those deep, captivating eyes had an almost magnetic pull. Kingsley seemed utterly

mesmerized, momentarily speechless, as if he’d never seen anyone like her.

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I saw Vincent immediately look at me as soon as Amara appeared. I met his gaze and responded in a cool, steady voice, “Vincent, you and Kingsley can go take care of your business now. With Amara here to keep me company, that’s all I need.”