Karl shut his mouth instantly.

But under his breath, he still muttered, stubborn as ever, "No matter what you say or do now, I’m not going to accept you as my sister-in-law."

Adelyn shot him a look, unimpressed.

"Do you think I’m dying for your acceptance?" she replied dryly.

"You—"

She didn’t bother entertaining him any further.

Turning back to the men, her expression settled into calm indifference as she said, "State your terms now. It’s getting late, and we don’t have the entire night to waste here."

She lifted her wrist, checking the time before adding casually, "My husband is still waiting at home. He wouldn’t appreciate his wife and daughter staying out late."

Pier immediately perked up from the side.

"Yes, yes —Sister-in-law is right! Whatever you guys are planning, wrap it up quickly."

Karl turned and glared at him.

But this time, Pier didn’t shrink back. Instead, he met his gaze head-on.

"Brother Karl, she’s your brother’s woman. You can’t offend her. Let her handle this."

Karl didn’t argue further. He simply crossed his arms and stood beside Adelyn, muttering, "Do whatever you want."

Adelyn didn’t even glance at him again.

Her attention remained on the group of men in front of her.

The leader finally spoke, his tone slower now, more measured. "We already told you what we want."

His gaze shifted toward Karl before he continued, "Just a few more rounds ... until we’re satisfied."

Karl scoffed immediately. "I already said I’m not playing anymore. I don’t have any money left."

A few of the men chuckled, exchanging knowing looks.

"We heard that," one of them said lazily. "But didn’t we already offer you options? Your car ... or your niece?"

Karl’s expression darkened instantly. He was about to react—

But Adelyn held him back.

Instead, she stepped forward —her voice calm but firm. "Don’t force him."

The men stared at her for a second—

And then burst into laughter.

"If not him ... should we force you instead?"

"Oh, forcing her would be far more interesting," another added with a grin.

"Yes ... a beauty like her," someone else chimed in, his gaze turning filthy, "I wonder how she’d feel when she struggles."

Laughter echoed through the room.

But Adelyn remained completely still.

No anger.

No discomfort.

Not even the slightest shift in her expression.

And somehow—

That calmness only irritated them more.

Then—

"You could try asking politely," she said lightly, her voice cutting through the noise. "I might even agree."

The laughter died down almost instantly.

The men exchanged glances, confusion flickering across their faces.

Adelyn didn’t leave them guessing for long. Looking directly at the leader, she said, "I’ll play in his place." She paused only to gesture him back towards the table they had arranged for the game. "Deal the cards."

The room stilled.

While some looked surprised, others looked amused.

Karl and Pier —looked completely stunned.

"What did you just say?" Karl asked, his brows knitting tightly.

Adelyn didn’t even turn toward him. "I’ll play," she repeated simply.

The men began whispering among themselves.

"Let her play."

"She’ll be easier to handle than that boy."

"She doesn’t even know what she’s walking into."

Their voices were filled with mockery. But the leader didn’t laugh.

He studied her carefully, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"You know how to play poker?" he asked.

Adelyn nodded. "I’ve played once ... a long time ago."

That was enough.

The room erupted into laughter again.

"Once?"

"She’s serious?"

"She doesn’t even know the game and thinks she can turn it around?"

"She’s not arrogant —she’s stupid."

The ridicule didn’t faze Adelyn.

Not even slightly.

The leader, however, didn’t dismiss her so easily.

"Knowing how to play isn’t enough," he said slowly. "We’re not playing for fun. You need stakes."

Adelyn tilted her head slightly. "When did I say I was playing for fun?" she asked simply. Her gaze met his directly. "If you want stakes ... I’m fine with that."

The man’s eyes sharpened. "You have money?"

Adelyn paused.

Of course, she didn’t.

But that didn’t mean she couldn’t play.

Slowly—

She turned toward Karl.

Her gaze lingered on him for a moment before she said, "Weren’t they eyeing your car?"

Karl frowned, confused. "... What are you getting at?"

"I’ll use it as the stake," she said calmly.

Silence fell instantly.

"What did you say?" Karl’s voice rose, disbelief clear in his tone. "You’ll bet my car? Who gave you that right?"

Adelyn finally looked at him —and smiled.

"Do you think your sister-in-law needs your permission?"

"You—!"

"Let me use it," she said, her tone turning serious. "I won’t lose."

Karl scoffed. "And why should I believe you?"

His voice hardened. "If it were my car, I might’ve considered it. But it’s not. I’m not risking something that doesn’t belong to me —especially when you just admitted you barely know how to play."

Adelyn frowned slightly.

This boy was ... troublesome.

"Believe me," she said after a brief pause. "If I lose, I’ll compensate you."

Karl stared at her, clearly unconvinced.

"That’s a limited-edition car," he said bluntly. "It costs a fortune. Do you even have that kind of money?"

He sounded genuinely curious.

Adelyn’s lips twitched.

If she had that kind of money, would she be here worrying about an affordable dinner at this restaurant?

This boy really knew how to test her patience.

"I don’t," she admitted.

"But—" she added, her tone turning sharp, "Your brother does, doesn’t he? I can make him pay for it."

Karl blinked.

That ... caught him off guard.

Before he could react further, she asked again, "So? Will you lend it to me?"

Karl hesitated. He was about to refuse—

But then something clicked in his mind.

A thought —dangerous one.

His posture straightened slightly. "Fine," he said at last.

His tone, however, made it clear ... there was more coming.

"I’ll let you use it," he continued slowly, "but on one condition."

Adelyn’s eyes narrowed.

"What condition?"

Karl met her gaze directly.

"If you lose," he said, each word deliberate, "you’ll leave for good and never contact my brother or my niece again."

A pause settled before he continued again, "You’ll drop whatever thoughts you have about becoming my sister-in-law."

Adelyn stared at him.

For a moment —she didn’t even know how to react.

Was he serious?

Did he actually think she was after his brother?

"What?" Karl misread her silence as her hesitation. "Don’t tell me you’re backing out now—"

"Fine. I agree."

Her answer came instantly —clean and decisive.

So effortless that even Karl froze mid-sentence, blinking at her in stunned silence.

"You agreed to it?"