CHAPTER 15: CHAPTER 15: A TIGER OF A HUSBAND HAS NO DOG OF A WIFE

Nightshade Bar.

Audrey Sutton stood at the entrance, gazing at the neon lights casting large letters against the night.

Was she dressed too formally for the bar?

Perhaps it was the presence of Shane Warner or her conspicuous evening gown, but she felt countless eyes upon her.

Shane Warner led her past the dance floor and directly up the elevator to the third floor.

The soundproofing of the private room was excellent, leaving the corridor eerily quiet.

The sound of her high heels clicking on the floor heightened Audrey Sutton’s nerves.

"Where are we going?"

Shane Warner replied indifferently, "Relax, I’m not going to sell you."

Audrey Sutton opened her mouth to ask more, but Shane Warner stopped in front of a door and pushed it open.

As the door swung open, the loud music and excited shouts from inside hit her ears, causing Audrey Sutton to frown slightly.

Under the dim lights, she saw a group of men and women sitting around a couch, playing cards.

The first person to notice Shane Warner’s arrival quickly turned off the loud music, clapping to get everyone’s attention, "Shane’s here."

"Master Shane?" The group was first surprised by Shane Warner’s arrival, then even more so by the girl beside him.

Before Audrey Sutton could react, she noticed a few scantily clad girls quietly leaving the room.

Someone turned on the lights, and the sudden brightness made Audrey Sutton uncomfortable, prompting her to step half a pace behind Shane Warner.

"Master Shane has come to his senses, brought a woman!"

"Shoo, shoo! Must be the young mistress."

"No wonder she caught Master Shane’s fancy right away. The young mistress really does look like a heavenly fairy."

The group flattered and teased, but Shane Warner merely glanced at them, silencing them with just a look.

"Heh heh, Master Shane, young mistress, have a seat. Would you like some drinks or some soda?"

Shane Warner held Audrey Sutton as they sat down, glanced at her sideways, and without waiting for her response, said, "Soda."

He quite enjoyed the current scenario; in an unfamiliar environment, among unfamiliar people, she knew only him and would naturally rely on and trust him more than usual.

And she was much more obedient than usual.

"Young mistress, care to join us for cards?"

The continuous "young mistress" left Audrey Sutton feeling awkward, as she chuckled, "I’m not very good at it."

Hearing she wasn’t good, Faye Xavier feigned mischief with a grin, "That’s perfect. Every time I play cards with Master Shane, he takes our money. Tonight, he should lose some. If you win, it’s the young mistress’s, if you lose, it’s Master Shane’s, right, Master Shane?"

Shane Warner softly replied, "Deal the cards."

Faye Xavier, looking triumphant, laughed, "You’re not allowed to play strategist for the young mistress, let her play herself."

The game was called Emperors, with five players, four decks of cards, requiring teamwork and strategy.

Faye Xavier briefly explained the game rules to Audrey Sutton, who listened with partial understanding.

Faye Xavier said, "You’ll get it after a couple of rounds."

Audrey Sutton decided to bravely give it a try.

Shane Warner sat beside her, and she frequently asked him, "Should I play this one?"

He nodded and softly responded, "Mm."

Only then did she dare to play her card.

Five consecutive wins.

It wasn’t brainwork or skill she relied on, but sheer luck, holding good cards every round.

She cheerfully collected her winnings, while Faye Xavier protested, "Master Shane, you’re not allowed to speak anymore, the young mistress is here to learn; she should pay some tuition."

As Audrey Sutton gathered the money, she said, "I think I’m getting the hang of it."

Seeing her playing so joyfully, Shane Warner’s mood also improved significantly.

Her emotions seemed to have a magical influence, bringing joy when she smiled and melancholy when she sulked.

Once Audrey Sutton mastered the rules and techniques, she played even more skillfully, and Faye Xavier, painfully handing out money, lamented, "A fierce husband doesn’t have a weak wife! I misjudged."

Among a group of friends, Faye Xavier was the unluckiest; whoever partnered with him lost, confidently expecting Shane Warner to bleed money but ended up the biggest loser himself.

"It’s time to head back." Seeing it was getting late, Shane Warner calmly reminded.

Faye Xavier had lost confidence in turning the tide, but he still complained to Shane Warner, "Master Shane, the young mistress had fun tonight, mainly thanks to me. You should give me a raise this month."

Shane Warner: "Depends on your performance."

Audrey Sutton carried a stack of red bills, feeling like she was at the pinnacle of life, counting money like a greedy Penny.

"Watch the road."

Audrey Sutton looked up and asked him, "Shouldn’t we give some back to him? He lost badly."

Shane Warner pressed the elevator button, "You haven’t seen him really lose yet."

Audrey Sutton: "How much does he earn in a month?"

Shane Warner: "Enough to cover his losses."

Audrey Sutton: "..."

After getting in the car, she couldn’t shake the feeling the money was tainted, hesitantly handing Shane Warner two thousand, "Use this to treat them to hotpot."

Shane Warner glanced at her, returned his gaze to the road, and said, "Why not keep it yourself?"

"I’m afraid of karma."

Shane Warner: "..."

"By the way, do you often hang out there?"

"Mm, I do when I’m free."

Audrey Sutton paused before continuing, "Are there always so many girls?"

She figured they cleared the room seeing her arrive, Shane Warner probably usually drank, played cards, surrounded by escorts.

Shane Warner instead asked, "Can I take it as you being jealous?"

Audrey Sutton was startled, quickly denying, "No!"

Then mumbled to herself outside the window, "You’re no different from them."

Shane Warner pretended not to hear, only glancing at her with a smile in his eyes, offering no explanation.

Audrey Sutton couldn’t help but recall Chloe Swift’s words, wondering if love was really a hindrance to them.

She couldn’t comprehend Shane Warner’s thoughts, nor understand what went on in his mind, behind those seemingly calm eyes, lies many unfathomable secrets.

Lying awake at night, Audrey Sutton tossed and turned, her mind filled with thoughts of Shane Warner wanting a divorce.

If he did ask for a divorce, would she cling stubbornly or feign indifference, as if she’d never loved him, and let go gracefully?

She thought she might choose to let go, but probably couldn’t do it gracefully, for just thinking about it made her eyes well up with tears.

Eventually, Audrey Sutton decided to immerse herself in his life as much as possible during the present time, so that he wouldn’t be able to leave her, and naturally wouldn’t bring up the topic of divorce.