Fated love: the unwanted bride

“That’s even more impressive. Miss Yale is so smart, unlike my girlfriend who can’t grasp the rules no matter how many times I explain!”

A woman gave him a light tap on the head and retorted, “That’s because you’re a poor teacher!”

The man studying his hand of cards laughed, “Miss Yale’s card skills remind me of a calculating gentleman. Miss Yale and the gentleman play in the exact same tricky way, employing deceptive tactics like pulling the plug and feinting one way to hit another. I’ve never won a game against him!”

“Hahaha, Mr. Janus, who is this lady killer?”

The man named Mr. Janus waved his hand dismissively, “Who else could it be? Mr. Cheney!”

Jasmine Yale stopped abruptly, Sylvan Cheney?

She studied the cards in her hand again… These men had sharp eyesight, they spotted her mimicking Sylvan.

If she didn’t follow Cheney, she might lose drastically.

“Mr. Cheney!” One of the men joined in, “That’s impossible. Mr. Cheney doesn’t teach his card skills to anyone.”

“Don’t remind me. My losses against Mr. Cheney were always disastrous. It nearly wiped out my stake of several villas!”

One of the men turned to Jasmine, laughing, “Miss Yale, surely Mr. Cheney didn’t teach you these card skills, did he?”

“You guys… I don’t know who you’re talking about,” Jasmine replied with an awkward smile.

“Ignore them and just play your game, Miss Yale.” Mr. Janus said.

“Okay.”

Jasmine lowered her head, deliberating on what to play next.

This hand of cards doesn’t look promising. I might lose…

“Who’s been talking about me?”

All of a sudden—

A deep and penetrating voice rang out, tinged with a roughness as if he had been travelling.

The half-opened door was pushed further open, and everyone in the living room turned their heads. Their faces an array of emotions!

Shock, surprise, and curiosity!

Jasmine’s mouth fell open in surprise and she was struck dumb. Her mind went blank.

Sylvan Cheney???

Wasn’t he in Lonton?

How did he get here?

Sylvan Cheney’s hair was lightly dusted with dirt, there were no expressions on his cold, handsome face. His finely chiseled face, piercing hawk-like eyes.

He was wearing a black trench coat, with straight-cut suit pants and shiny leather shoes.

He swept his glare over everyone, settling it on the cards on the table.

That knife-sharp gaze seemed to instantly lower the temperature in the living room.

Under the heavy silence, Jasmine tried to shrink into herself, attempting to avoid him.

“Big brother?” Joe Heath emerged from the kitchen, both joyful and surprised, “I’ve called you several times but no one answered, I even tried to reach out to Charles Mcintosh, who said you were abroad.”

“Hmm.”

Sylvan removed his black leather gloves, then took off his coat.

One of the housemaids walked over to take his coat.

Jamine was struck dumb, what? Joe’s older brother was Sylvan Cheney?

Darn it, why didn’t he say so?!

Sylvan bent to switch into a pair of house slippers, then untied the knot of his tie.

“Oh wow, I didn’t expect Mr. Cheney to return home! Welcome, welcome.” The people inside the house said instantly.

“There’s no need.” Cheney looked up and said casually, “Since I’m back, I naturally should attend my brother’s birthday party.”

“Big brother, you’re really giving me a lot of face.” Joe was thrilled, “I’m cooking personally tonight.”

“Really? Is it edible?”

“…” Joe looked hurt.

Sylvan seemed nonchalant, but his scorching gaze fell upon Jasmine’s face.

Jasmine had nowhere to hide. Her cheeks were ablaze.

This was really awkward.

She deliberately lowered her gaze to the cards in her hands, pretending not to know Sylvan.

“You’re playing cards?” Sylvan approached them, his strides poised, eyebrows lightly raised.

His tone was calm but tinged with a rough gruffness.

(Sylvan had rushed back overnight all the way from Lonton….)