Felicia watched Riley's retreating figure, a flicker of satisfaction flashing through her eyes. On the surface, though, she looked helpless.
"I can't stop her…" she sighed.
Of course, she never intended to.
She had deliberately provoked Riley.
Back when they still lived in the Cole household, Felicia had always been able to push Riley over the edge—make her lose control, make her do things that disgusted their father.
But ever since Riley got married… something had changed.
She was sharper now. Harder to manipulate.
Almost like she was slipping out of control.
But now, after testing her—
She was still the same impulsive fool.
That realization eased Felicia's mind.
Aside from Sophia and the others who were eager to watch the drama unfold, only Xavier and the two older students felt that Victor's behavior toward a girl was a bit excessive.
But Evan cut in coldly, "She brought this on herself. She deserves it."
With that attitude, no one dared argue further.
After all, they had only gotten into Auremere because of Evan. There was no point offending him over someone else.
***
Meanwhile, in the parking garage, the manager placed a video call to Adrian. On the other end, Adrian answered, a faint smile already tugging at his lips.
He assumed Riley had asked the manager to call—perhaps to thank him.
For once, he was in a genuinely good mood.
But the moment the call connected—
His expression froze.
The smile vanished instantly, replaced by cold indifference.
The manager felt a chill run down his spine.
Did… did he just switch faces that fast?
"What is it?" Adrian's voice turned sharp.
When he didn't see the person he expected, his tone dropped several degrees.
The manager glanced nervously at the locked garage… and the empty space where Riley had just been.
Cold sweat trickled down his back.
He had meant to ask about the car.
But in the blink of an eye, she was gone.
And there was no way he dared mention that she had just taken the car for a spin.
After stammering for a while, he finally blurted out, "N-no, nothing… I just… missed you, so I called…"
The moment the words left his mouth, regret hit him like a truck.
What did I just say?! Am I trying to die?!
On the other end, Adrian's expression darkened instantly.
"You sick or something?"
And with that—
The call ended.
The manager stood there in stunned silence.
A few seconds later, he groaned internally.
I've completely lost it… how did I say something that cringe?
***
Because of the bet between Riley and Victor, the manager had cleared out the largest central gambling table.
Riley sat at the head of it, legs crossed, her stuffed bunny in her arms, looking every bit like she owned the place.
Her gaze swept lazily over the group below.
Calm.
Confident.
Untouchable.
Evan's heart skipped.
That profile…
Why does she look so much like that woman in the red dress?
She wore nothing more than a simple white T-shirt and jeans, yet something about her presence was impossible to ignore.
Her eyes sparkled with quiet amusement.
Her skin was luminous.
Her features were delicate, almost radiant.
For the first time, Evan noticed—
This "fool" was actually… stunning.
So much so that he found himself staring.
"Evan…"
A soft, slightly aggrieved voice pulled him back.
He snapped out of it immediately, withdrawing his gaze in a hurry. A flicker of awkwardness crossed his face as he glanced at Felicia.
He cleared his throat, forcing his composure back into place.
"Does Riley even know how to play dice?"