Once She Came Like a Flash novel Chapter 42

**Chapter 42**

As Adam caught sight of Chris’ cards, his expression plummeted like a stone dropped into a deep well. “Damn,” he muttered under his breath, his disappointment palpable. “I have a straight flush too, but mine only stretches up to a Queen.”

With a frustrated thud, he slammed his fist against the table, the sound echoing in the tense atmosphere. The game had turned against him, and he couldn’t shake off the feeling of defeat that hung in the air like a heavy fog.

Renee, feeling the weight of the moment, bit down on her lip, glancing nervously at Jasper. A sense of embarrassment washed over her. “Sorry, Mr. Zeller. I guess I was just too impulsive,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She lowered her gaze, her fingers nervously scratching the back of her head. “I really didn’t think their hands would be this strong. I’m truly sorry.”

“Ms. Whitley, you’re just too full of yourself,” a voice sneered from the crowd, the disdain evident.

“Can’t even play poker, yet she’s strutting around like she knows what she’s doing,” another chimed in, laughter bubbling beneath the surface. “Mr. Jackson and the others seemed so confident; their hands had to be solid.”

“Seriously, that was just so dumb,” someone else scoffed, shaking their head in disbelief.

“She had it coming,” another voice echoed, the chorus of mockery growing louder.

“I bet she really pissed off Mr. Zeller now,” someone whispered conspiratorially.

A wave of sneers and amused expressions rippled through the spectators, their eyes glinting with a mix of judgment and entertainment.

Across the table, Adam let out a resigned sigh. “Renee, I told you so. You never listen,” he said, frustration lacing his tone.

Though the sting of losing was hard to bear, a deeper worry gnawed at Adam. If Renee had managed to ruffle Jasper’s feathers, who knew how he might retaliate? The thought sent a chill down his spine.

In a bid to defuse the tension, he quickly interjected, “Mr. Zeller, I take full responsibility for this round. It’s Renee’s fault for being reckless. I’ll cover the loss. Consider it compensation for her mistake.”

Kayla rolled her eyes, her impatience clear. “It’s her own fault,” she shot back, crossing her arms defiantly.

Jasper, however, remained unfazed. “No need for that. I can handle this. Just lose this hand and deal the next one,” he replied with a casual air, as if the stakes were nothing more than a casual game among friends.

“Oh, okay,” Renee said, her voice tinged with relief as she prepared to discard the cards in front of Jasper.

At that moment, Conrad leaned forward, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. “Since you’ve already lost, let me see what you had.” He reached out, flipping Jasper’s cards over with an eager anticipation.

“No way! Three of a kind?!” he exclaimed, his voice rising in disbelief.

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