?Chapter 1565:


    The affectionate atmosphere from earlier had faded, reced by a yful mood. The game had returned to its original innocence, and everyone treated it as lighthearted fun.


    “Let’s keep going,” Belinda said with a gentle smile as she reshuffled the deck and prepared for the next round.


    This time, the Joker cardnded in Johnson’s hands.


    With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he announced, “Whoever holds the Three of Hearts must carry the person with the Four of Hearts and do twenty squats.”


    Faye’s lips curved into a delicate smile as she flipped over her card. “I’ve got the Four of Hearts. So? Who’s got the Three of Hearts?”


    No one spoke.


    The room fell into an awkward silence.


    Then, about ten secondster, Lucas calmly reached for his ss of whiskey and brought it to his lips. That simple gesture spoke volumes. Everyone immediately understood he held the Three of Hearts.


    Faye’s expression froze.


    “Uncle Lucas…” She looked at him with a soft, wounded gaze. “It’s just a game. Why can’t you just do this?”


    Her voice turned sweetly coaxing. “I mean, it’s not like Belinda would mind something so harmless, right? Besides, if you don’t do this and choose to drink, I’ll have to drink too. And I’ve already had five sses tonight. I really can’t handle more.”


    She leaned forward slightly, her eyes pleading. “Come on, Uncle Lucas, have a little mercy on your poor niece.”


    Lucas met her eyes coolly. “Sorry, Faye,” he replied quietly but firmly. “I won’t touch another woman except Belinda. Even though you’re my niece, I can’t do that.”


    Then he added, “But since this is on me, I’ll drink for both of us.” Without giving Faye a chance to protest, he started drinking.


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    Belinda’s lips curved into a small, contented smile.


    She instinctively reached for a ss to help share the burden, but Lucas gently stopped her.


    One after another, Lucas drank all ten shots—five for himself, five for Faye—his gesture a clear deration of loyalty.


    Bethany was the first to p, grinning. “Bravo! Lucas, you’re truly a model boyfriend! You deserve a round of apuse.”


    She then turned dramatically toward Johnson and Vincent. “Gentlemen, take notes. That’s how you should treat your future girlfriends.”


    The two men exchanged amused nces, smiling.


    Even though Faye was also smiling, her smile felt forced.


    The group lingered at the clubhouse until about ten o’clock, then gradually dispersed, returning to their rooms.


    Once inside their room, Lucas turned to Belinda, his voice soft. “Belinda… earlier, what were you all talking about? Why did you seem upset?”


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