Chapter 221

The air turned icy.

Evelyn Carter's fingers tightened slightly around her glass. She hadn't seen Peter Harrison in years and had no idea if he even played billiards.

Gregory Wilson picked up a cue, running his fingers along its polished surface. "Eight-ball or snooker?"

"Your choice." Peter smiled mildly.

"So you're an expert?"

"Just a hobbyist."

The sharp crack of colliding balls broke the tension. Evelyn stood aside, her gaze darting between the two men.

This wasn't the strategic snooker she knew. Their shots were aggressive, each strike sending colored balls ricocheting into pockets with brutal precision.

When the eight-ball finally sank, Evelyn's pupils contracted.

Peter had won?

"My luck," Peter said with humble grace.

Gregory's expression hardened. "You're better."

"Another round?"

"By all means."

The rematch began, the atmosphere thickening with unspoken rivalry.

Vivian Dempsey burst in, whispering urgently, "Got the intel! The Hardys' golden girl from the east side—just turned twenty, ABC raised, studying design in New York. Been back less than two weeks."

Evelyn frowned. "Who are the Hardys?"

"Not Hamilton or Wilson tier, but above my paygrade." Vivian rolled her eyes. "Made their fortune in fashion. Rumor says they've got boutiques in Paris."

"Any siblings?"

"Don't ask." Vivian leaned closer. "Old man Hardy had four sons—three died in that plane crash. The last one fathered this princess before his car accident—"

"Fatal?"

"Worse." Vivian made an obscene gesture. "Rumor says he's... non-functional now. So this girl's the sole heir. Raised overseas, spoiled rotten."

Evelyn's lips curled.

Another sheltered heiress. Naive, wealthy—perfect prey.

"One more thing." Vivian's voice dropped. "That idiot Nathan... went to Alexander."

Evelyn's breath hitched.

"The watermark—"

The Huawei logo glared incongruously from the iPhone screen. Closing her eyes, Evelyn heard Vivian's trembling whisper:

"Alexander recognized the bar. He's on his way."

The crack of billiard balls ceased abruptly.

Both men turned to stare at her.