n

n

nAs Edward continues to talk about Adrian's outstanding accomplishments when he's still a teenager, Cassidy can't help but change her impression of him for a bit.

nIt turns out that her husband is not that ignorant of his surroundings after all. His undercover job of exposing lawbreakers is probably one of the reasons why his mind is always at work. She knows a thing or two about dealing with criminals, and she is aware of how difficult that is. All she can do in that kind of confrontation is engage in combat and whatnot, though.

nAs for him, he did more than getting physical with his opponents. He downright crushed them - both their reputations as well as their careers.

n'Well, that's cool and everything, but...' Cassidy pondered silently before glancing at her side.

n'It's kinda strange that such a meticulous and scrupulous man doesn't know what's happening inside his own family. I know that his work keeps taking too much of his time. Perhaps, much too much that it's not even enough, but still... Yeah, it's really strange.'

nShe is walking beside Adrian at the moment, making their way to the bar and casino of the hotel.

nAfter they finished eating ice cream together, Edward had gone to take his sons to the hotel room he reserved. They bid one another goodbye earlier before eventually parting ways. Now, both of them went to join Gertrude and their other companions who have went ahead of them.

n

"Do you gamble, bossman?

" Cassidy started after their moment of silence stretched on for too long.

n

"No, I don't. It's not my thing...

" Adrian answered and looked at her inquisitively.

n

"Why ask? Do you want to try gambling?

"

n

"No, no! It's not my thing either. I just thought that if you're gonna do something at the casino, you can go ahead. I'll go to the bar.

"

n

"Let's go there, then. Now that I think about it, there's some videoke there. You like to sing, right?

"

nOnce again, she is a little taken aback that he recalls such a small thing about her.

nHe even appears delighted when he brings it up. Then, before she knows it, he is already escorting her all the way to the bar. She's not sure when exactly he learned about her singing, and she's certain that they never talked about those mundane details. Perhaps, he just noticed and took note of it.

n'Can I take that he is starting to pay more attention to whatever is going on inside his home, then?' Cassidy wondered as she only continued staring at his seemingly ecstatic expression through the corners of her eyes.

nEventually, the two reach the bar where a huge crowd is packed.

nFrom the lively conversations to the rioting colors that pierce through the dimness that sometimes turn into starlit black, the entire setting soaks in the ambiance of one bustling night. Shelves after shelves of alcohols are on display in the counter at the corner. There is also this platform in front that is adorned with glittering, gaudy lighting.

n

"My, my~ Look who finally joined us~

"

nAt that, both of them turn around to find Irish walking up to them along with Olivia and Sophie.

nCassidy feels like being approached by a pack of lionesses. At least for now, they seem tamed enough to hold a proper conversation. With Adrian around, they keep their fangs hidden beneath their elegant and refined demeanors. They even appear to be carrying an air of grace and poise, consequently catching people's attention.

n

"Oh, so you're here. Where are Mother and the others?

" Adrian asked as he scanned around their surroundings.

n

"Playing poker back there or something. Not sure...

" Irish answered with a shrug before looking at his wife and beaming at her.

n

"Say, sissy, why don't you join us for a drink? Let's go and spend some 'ladies' time. We used to do that before, didn't we~?

"

nCassidy only stays quiet at that and scrutinizes Irish.

nIt seems like she has gotten tired of beating around the bush. She could tell that she meant something more than drinking and talking when she brought up this 'ladies' time excuse of hers. Still, being the great actress that she is, she has managed to act it out very well. She really looks like she is genuinely inviting her to spend time with them.

n'Why the heck is Adrian still with Cassidy? I thought for sure that he had already gone off somewhere and left her alone. Were they together this whole time?' was actually what Irish thinking the whole time she was being scrutinized.

n'Well, it is indeed a waste of my time if I don't get to do something tonight. I have to make them shred off their sheep's clothing at the very least...' was what Cassidy eventually thought as if she just read her thoughts.

n'For that to happen, I need to get bossman out of the way-'

n

"May I join you, ladies?

"

nThen came Adrian butting in yet again.

nBoth Cassidy and Irish jolted in surprise the moment he asked to join. Their schemes went crashing down in an instant. Going by the serious look on his face, they already knew that it's not going to be easy to talk him out of it.

n

"Ummm... Adrian, I think our guests wanted to talk with you too, though?

" Irish questioned with an innocent-sounding tone.

n

"I already did that back at Damien's party. I don't need to entertain them all the time, do I?

" Adrian coolly replied while crossing his arms.

n

"Still, don't you want to do something else, bossman?

" Cassidy chimed in with a strained smile.

n

"I don't. I'm a boring man - weren't you the one who said that?

"

n

"Are you sure you're not saying that because of what Charlie texted to you earlier?

"

n

"Well, if you remember what he told us, you should know that there's all the more reason I should join you.

"

nFor once, Cassidy and Irish are on the same page. They can't shake Adrian off at all.

nThey try to hide their frustrations by looking away from him. At that point, though, the brunette is already at the edge of her patience. She turns to look back at her twin sister for backup, fists clenched and eyes teary - looking like a hopeless little girl who seems to be at a loss of what to say or do.

nOlivia only sighs at how childish Irish can be. Then again, they often end up powerless in the face of their stubborn brother. Knowing that they can't change his mind, the blonde just decided to pull out their other plan.

n

"Hey, Irish, maybe you can use that,

" Olivia cued while she nudged her head towards the stage.

n

"Oh, you mean...?

" Irish trailed off as she got what she was trying to say.

n

"Well, alright then.

"

nShe knew that this other plan of theirs won't be as satisfying as the usual stunts they did on their sister-in-law before. However, at the rate of how things are going, she has to settle with any means that she can use to mess with her. Seeing her mortified expression will be enough for now.

nThen again, she would choose to be content with an embarrassed sister-in-law rather than earn the suspicions or anger of her brother.

n

"Cassidy, why don't we have a little fun? With Adrian around, we can't really proceed with our 'ladies' time since it will be awkward for him,

" Irish started again, striking a confident poise.

n

"And what kind of fun is it?

" Cassidy asked with a small smirk, head cocked a little to the side.

n

"Do you like bets?

"

n

"Hmmmm... It depends. Considering that we're in a bar, could you be talking about...?

"

n

"Oh, have you guessed it already? How smart~

"

n

"You really want some kind of talent show, then?

"

n

"Yeah, that's right~! Let's have a showdown. The one who gets the loudest applause from the audience will agree to do a dare from the other. How does that sound?

"

n

"A dare, huh... Sounds great.

"

nWith that, they end up settling with a roundabout approach of making their message cross.

nCassidy can see how confident Irish is about this. Then again, she's the one who has the most experience here. Her career involves entertaining people, after all. But even then, she is not one to back out from a challenge, especially when she knows that she somehow stands a chance.

nYet unbeknownst to Cassidy, another scheme is actually lying underneath this one.

n'Oh, Irish~ Great job on separating the two of them...' Sophie mused silently as she only continued watching the exchange in silence before glancing at Adrian.

n'While the cat is away, the mice will play~ Let's get you out of the picture, Cassidy. It's time for me to take the spotlight.'

nWith a sly smirk on, mischief dancing in her eyes, Sophie secretly looks at Adrian like a predator who's all ready to ravish her prey - thinking of what kinds of fun she'll do with him once Cassidy is away.

n