Love Me Back (Amelia and Daniel) novel Chapter 244

Today was clearly one of those days—the game had barely started and already two big hands were on the table.

Across from her sat the actress Sarah Moore, whose laughter was sharp enough to make you wince. “Your name’s Amelia, right? Why would you throw out that card? She’s obviously waiting for it. You’re just handing your money away.”

“I wasn’t paying attention,” Amelia replied, fumbling with her tiles, all fingers and nerves. She barely looked up. “It’s fine, the stakes aren’t high. It’s just for fun.”

“Oh, listen to her—must be nice to have money to burn.” Sarah curled her lip. “Anyone listening would think you’re some billionaire’s wife.”

Pearl’s mother nudged Sarah with her elbow. “That’s enough, don’t start.”

Then she turned, a little embarrassed, to Amelia. “Don’t mind her. She speaks before she thinks, that’s all.”

But Amelia was too distracted to care. It felt like the moment she finished one round, it was already her turn again. The game was moving fast and she was barely keeping up.

Halfway through, a housekeeper appeared and whispered something to Pearl’s mother. She excused herself with a hurried, “Sorry, I’ll be right back. You all keep playing,” and almost ran out of the room.

“Who’s here?” Sarah asked her friend beside her.

Her friend had caught a snippet. “I think one of the kids just arrived.”

Sarah lost interest at once. “All that rush? I thought it was someone important.”

Amelia laid down a tile, and immediately Sarah pounced. “Hey, that’s the winning card! Super deluxe seven pairs!”

Losing such a big hand stung. Amelia sighed and reached into the drawer for more chips.

They were playing for chips, settling up with transfers after the game was over.

Sarah had glimpsed Daniel before at a fashion event, but only from a distance. Now, seeing him here, she was both surprised and delighted. She quickly fixed her hair and got to her feet.

“Please, don’t mind me,” Daniel said, gesturing for everyone to stay seated. “Carry on with your game.”

But Sarah wasn’t about to sit back down. Acting like the hostess, she pulled out the chair beside her and flashed a dazzling smile. “Mr. Campbell, do you play poker? Would you like to join us—or at least watch a round?”

“Mind if I watch?” Daniel asked politely.

“Of course not!” Sarah leaned forward, her low neckline angled perfectly in his direction, leaving nothing to the imagination.

But Daniel seemed oblivious to her charms. Without so much as a glance, he walked straight to Amelia’s side. Feigning polite hesitation, but clearly having made up his mind, he lowered his head and asked in a gentlemanly tone, “May I sit here?”