Standing Before Love (Myra and Sean) novel Chapter 76

Tony arched an eyebrow, his face devoid of emotion as usual, but when his gaze fell on the top of the woman’s soft head below him, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. At this moment, he leaned forward with his right hand on the poker table, his entire person seemingly engulfing Myra in his embrace.

Meanwhile, the three men at the side wore a tacit smile. We now know why he wasn’t in a hurry to go back and work overtime today. It turns out that the catch is here. He knew that she’s going to come over, didn’t he? And why didn’t he have a drink any other time but right when she was about to leave? Plus, he could’ve just taken a drink, yet he just had to use his injured hand. Wasn’t it obvious that he wanted her to stay? The three of them truly couldn’t stand seeing his desperation, so they gave him a hand.

The atmosphere at the poker table was undoubtedly peaceful, but Myra gradually felt perturbed. I don’t know whether Tony Hart is doing this intentionally, but he said he’ll let me play by myself and get a feel of things, but every time I want to flip open a card, he’ll suddenly stop me and open another card. This is no big deal, but our hands always brush together inadvertently.

“You’ve just drawn this card, so don’t open it so hastily. Wait and see what card Elliot opens later.” She was just about to flip open the card she’d just drawn earlier, but Tony stopped her. As he took the card from her, his fingers gently brushed across her hand. He’s manipulating my hand so casually that I feel as though I’m quickly losing possession of it.

When his hand again half-wrapped around hers, Myra abruptly pushed her chair back and got to her feet. “How about you take over, Director Hart? I really don’t know how to play,” she said to Tony. Her face was as red as an overly ripe tomato and stained with a trace of irritation.

Seemingly rather surprised, Tony raised an eyebrow and looked at her placidly. “It’s okay. Just play a few more rounds, and you’ll be fine.” Just after his words fell, his cell phone seemingly vibrated. Holding his cell phone, he greeted the person on the other end before patting her on the shoulder. Then, he spun around and walked out.

At the sight of his hypocritical demeanor, the three men doubled over in laughter inwardly though they outwardly maintained a nonchalant expression and urged Myra to sit back down.

As Myra looked at their innocent expressions, she was all the more regretful for staying and helping Tony draw cards. I must have had a loose screw earlier!

When Tony had exited the private room, his smiling countenance gradually darkened significantly, and he merely murmured apathetically, “Come over.” Then, he hung up the phone right away. Taking out a cigarette, he lit it in the corridor itself.

Without Tony by her side, Myra was much more relaxed. However, with no one to guide her, she quickly messed up after the three veterans railroaded her. Tony had won a lot of chips earlier, but Myra lost them all when he went out to take a phone call.

Upon seeing that he’d gotten a full house, Elliot happily extended a hand for chips. Myra embarrassingly glanced at the small drawer beside her, only to see that it was… already empty.

At this time, someone pushed open the private room door. Never had Myra been so hard-pressed to see Tony. When she looked over her shoulder and saw that it was Tony walking in, even she herself didn’t realize that her eyes abruptly lit up, and she breathed a sigh of relief.

The moment Tony glimpsed her expression upon entering the room, the corners of his mouth instinctively curved upward, and he strode over to her in a few strides. “What’s wrong?”

This time, Myra stood up without the slightest hesitation. “I don’t want to play anymore, so you should play instead. I… don’t quite know how to play.” There was a faint blush on her face even as she shyly tucked the few strands of hair that fell to her forehead to the back of her creamy ear. If I play with my own money, it’s fine if I lose, but losing other people’s money—especially his—feels rather disturbing.

At this, Tony placidly swept a gaze over the small drawer before her. Understanding instantly dawned, upon which a glimmer of mirth flashed across his eyes.