While Riley was still talking to the manager, she suddenly caught sight of someone lurking near the stairwell.
Her eyes narrowed.
Clutching her bunny, she strode straight toward him.
"Wait… isn't that really that fool—ah!"
Before Victor could finish his sentence, a sharp kick slammed into him.
He went flying.
His body crashed hard against the wall behind him before dropping to the ground.
Clutching his stomach, he glared at Riley, fury blazing in his eyes. "Riley, are you insane?!"
Damn it… how is she this strong?
Xavier and the others rushed over to help him up, the commotion quickly drawing Evan and the rest over.
Riley quietly reached back and shut the door behind her, then turned with an innocent look.
"Sorry," she said lightly. "I thought you were a peeping creep. Who told you to sneak around like that and spy on people?"
"Who's sneaking?!" Victor snapped. "We just heard something and came to check!"
Then his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You still haven't explained how you got in. What are you even doing here?"
A sly smile curved across Riley's lips.
"What's wrong?" she teased. "My servant, are you ready to address me as your 'Queen' now?"
After all, he was the one who made that bold claim outside earlier.
Victor's face darkened, his glare sharp enough to cut.
Beside him, Sophia looked equally furious. "In your dreams! Who knows which hole you crawled through to get in here? Let's go. Don't waste time on this fool."
Riley only smiled wider.
"Fine, don't say it. I already know Victor is just a hypocrite who can't even keep his word," she said lazily. "Sophia, your boyfriend's not very impressive."
"Who are you calling hypocrite?! Who are you saying isn't impressive?!" Victor exploded, like a dog straining at the end of its leash.
Riley shrugged. "Whoever's reacting, obviously."
Victor pointed at her, teeth clenched. "Fine. You want me to call you 'My Queen'? Then let's make a bet."
Riley idly twirled one of her bunny's ears. "What kind of bet?"
"Dice. High or low. We go until one of us admits defeat," he said, gesturing toward the tables outside. "Loser strips naked, kneels, and calls out 'My Queen' or 'My King' to the winner three times. You in?"
Riley raised a brow.
Before she could respond—
Felicia stepped forward, eyes gleaming with barely hidden excitement.
This is perfect.
A chance to completely humiliate Riley—and publicly, too.
If Riley really lost and had to run naked…
Just imagining it made my pulse quicken.
If the Yates family found out—
They'd never tolerate someone like that.
Suppressing her delight, Felicia put on a worried expression. "This isn't a good idea… Riley, you've never gambled before. How could you possibly beat Victor? Just apologize and let this go."
But Victor wasn't having it.
He sneered. "Fine. If she wants me to drop it, she can start by calling me 'My King' three times."
Riley let out a short laugh.
The audacity.
Who did he think he was?
Felicia looked torn, then turned to Riley again, voice soft and coaxing. "Riley, just do what he says. We're all friends here. It's not like it's embarrassing…"
Riley shot her a cold glance.
I may act like a fool… but I'm not actually stupid.
If I really said it, the whole university would know within hours.
I'd become a joke overnight.
Riley let out a quiet scoff.
"Fine," she said coolly. "Let's do it. Whoever backs out is a coward."
And with that—
She turned and walked toward the gambling tables first.