Chapter 235 Playing a Game
Branden pulled Catherineâs hand and placed it inside his pocket with the excuse that her hand was too cold.
Triston and the others could not bear to witness the scene any longer. They came here for vacation, not to see someone show off love. Therefore, Triston spoke up fearlessly. âMr. Duncan, since we have nothing better to do, how about a game?â
They were playing billiards. Catherine and Branden were standing nearby. Their aura was so strong that the players could hardly concentrate on their game. Branden raised his eyebrows.
âAre you sure?â
Triston grinned, knowing that he was literally courting humiliation.
âIf Branden is joining the game, how could I have a chance to beat him? Iâll just be completely dominated,â thought he. Just as Triston was hesitating, Loraine appeared again. She walked up to him with a beaming smile on her face.
âMr. Lambert, since you know youâre no match for Mr. Duncan, why donât I play with you instead?â
Tristonâs heart skipped a beat, and he thought to himself, âUh oh, this isnât good.â Even though Loraine was a beauty, Triston couldnât be tempted easily by good looks. On Loraineâs pretty face, her bright eyes flickered slightly as she put on a charming and alluring smile.
âMr. Lambert. It looks like you are unwilling to play a game with me. Are you afraid that defeating a girl like me would not be honorable?â
âDefeating Loraine?â said Triston inwardly.
He knew that he might not have the ability to win over Loraine. Everyone knew that Loraine had played billiards since childhood and was once the snooker champion in Casier.
If it were not for her affluent family, she would probably be pursuing a career as a professional and performing on the worldâs largest stages at present.
Although Triston played quite well, he couldnât compare to professional players. Just as he was about to refuse, to his surprise, Loraine beat him to it and spoke up first.
She turned her head and fixed her gaze upon Catherine. Although there was a smile on her face, her eyes were as cold as ice.
âMiss Swann, since we all have some free time, why donât we play a game?â
Branden furrowed his brows, his deep- set eyes lowered. A touch of displeasure flickered across his face. Loraine noticed Brandenâs aura was too strong, and she didnât dare to make eye contact with him.
However, she harbored great discontent in her heart toward Brandenâs excessive care for Catherine.
âIs he protecting her so well that he wouldnât even let her lose a game?â said she inwardly. Her face darkened slightly. With an unpleasant expression, she spoke.â Miss Swann, if you refuse to accept the offer, forget about it.
âReluctant as she look, would she be willing to give it up? I donât believe it. âNow, she might say forget about it, but tomorrow she will go around telling everyone how cocky and disdainful I am.
âDoes she really think I couldnât see through her shabby tactics?
âAlthough I do not care at all about what others say about me, why do I have to allow this woman to slander me?
âI refuse!â said Catherine inwardly. With her chin raised toward Loraine, Catherine asked, âWould you like to have a game?â
Loraine pursed her lips, a slight smile escaping the corners of her mouth. â Why not? What a rare opportunity. However, I have been playing billiards for quite some time. How about I give you a handicap of three balls and let you make the first shot?
âIf necessary, would you like me to give you a chance to start over again?â
Ronin was left dumbfounded.
âOh my, this woman is too arrogant and presumptuous.
âThis is not showing mercy. Itâs clearly a humiliation. âAnd to top it off, it was a humiliation in front of everyone. Seriously, itâs just too much.
âCanât believe she dares to disrespect our boss like this. Iâll have to teach this woman a lesson,â said Ronin inwardly.
As Ronin was about to move forward, his coat was pulled by Grayson from behind. Grayson pulled on Roninâs clothes and whispered softly in his ear, saying, â Donât be impulsive!â
Rushing forward at this moment had no help in avenging Catherine. Instead, this was the perfect opportunity for the other party to slander Catherine. Furthermore, Grayson firmly believed that Catherine would win. Not only Ronin and Grayson, but the others also felt Loraineâs words were too much.
âAlthough Loraineâs billiards skills are quite good, sheâs being a bit too arrogant by saying this.
âIs it really fitting for a player of almost professional level to humiliate others?â thought they. Upon hearing Loraineâs arrogant remarks, Catherine remained composed and unaffected, showing a nonchalant expression that carried a hint of disdain.
âNo need for that. Since weâre going to play, letâs get started!â
It was precisely this expression that annoyed Loraine the most. It made her feel deeply humiliated as if Catherine completely looked down on her.
Loraine held back her anger and put on a generous smile. âMiss Swann, since you said so, letâs put friendship first. Since itâs a game, why not make it a little interesting?
âIf I lose, I will give you 10% of the shares of Holiday Mansion. How about that?â Graysonâs partner wanted to butter up Loraine and boost Holiday Mansionâs profile. So, he gave Loraine 10% of the shares as a gift.
The construction cost of Holiday Mansion was several million dollars. Its current market value was definitely over a billion dollars. The 10% of shares represented millions of capital. Loraine really was of incredible generosity.
This was clearly a provocation. Catherine had just returned to the Swanns, and the entire Swanns was under the control of Korbin Swann. How could she afford to gamble against Loraine?
Everyone felt nervous for Catherine silently while despising Loraineâs tricks. Branden glanced over at Paxton beside him. Paxton reached into his pocket, preparing to take out some capital for Catherine to bet against Loraine.
To everyoneâs surprise, Catherine casually waved her hand and pointed to Grayson beside her, saying, âIf I lose, Grayson will forsake his share of Holiday Mansion and give you his shares!â
Grayson owned 30% of the shares, three times as much as Loraineâs. Loraineâs face turned unpleasant. She could hardly maintain her composure any longer.
âCatherine doesnât have many fundamental abilities but is good at talking big.
âDoes she intend to humiliate me with the 30% shares?
âRidiculous!â said Loraine inwardly.
She forced an awkward smile, revealing a hideous expression. âMiss Swann, donât you need to ask Peerless Graysonâs opinion first?â
After Loraine finished speaking, Grayson spoke up. âMiss Sanford, thereâs no need to worry about it. Boss owns all of my assets. You can consider me her employee.â
âPeerless Grayson, the top star of the entertainment industry, actually behaved so humbly in the presence of such a disaster as Catherine.
âIs he out of his mind?
âHas Catherine cursed him and taken away his consciousness?â said Loraine inwardly. She was extremely jealous. Although she looked down upon Grayson, a mere actor, the thought of him being so respectful toward the disaster-causing Catherine made her uncomfortable.
âWhy is it that every man revolves around her?
âWhatâs so great about a disaster like her?â thought she.
Loraine didnât plan on making things too difficult for Catherine at first, but her anger was on fire at this moment, and she had to give Catherine a serious lesson to make sure Catherine would conduct herself and embarrass her in front of everyone.
âSince thatâs the case, letâs get started!
â she said.