His laughter turned heads our way, drawing the gaze of everyone in the vicinity, including Yolande who was seated in the front row. Feeling my face flush with embarrassment, I smacked Henrik's arm,

"Stop laughing, will you?

",

"Ouch!

" He winced, cradling his arm where I hit him, reminding me of an injury there - a souvenir from Ernest's last encounter., That relentless drive for payback, it's just part of being a guy, especially for someone like Henrik.,

"Ernest's here today. You planning on dealing with him?

" I couldn't help but ask straight out., Henrik's eyes briefly locked onto Ernest's back before replying,

"If he keeps to himself today, I'll let him be for now.

", My heart skipped a beat.

"What's that supposed to mean?

", With a sly grin, Henrik explained,

"It means, if he's not planning on whisking you away today, I'll spare him... for now.

" Ernest wants to take me away? Was that what Yolande meant she should've told me? Why didn't Ernest say anything? Now that Henrik mentioned it, it was clear he had seen through Ernest's intentions, definitely keeping his guard up., I glanced at the back of Ernest's head, feeling a tad uneasy.,

"If he saves you, would you go with him?

" Henrik prodded further., If I left, I feared what Henrik might do to Jefferson., Recalling his earlier remark, I shot back,

"Guess you'll find out if he does, won't you?

", Henrik chuckled, his laughter seemingly effortless., Yolande and Henrik's words had thrown my thoughts into disarray, leaving me with little interest in continuing our banter. Instead, I focused on the men seated in front of us, trying to steady my thoughts. Lost in thought, I was surprised by an ice cream suddenly appearing in front of me, with Henrik holding another for himself.,

"Let's finish these before the game starts,

" Henrik suggested, handing me one., I hesitated not taking it right away but seeing Henrik, a grown man, casually enjoying his ice cream somehow made him seem less intimidating. , Despite my reluctance, I couldn't let it just melt away, so I started eating as well.,

"Mommy, I want an ice cream like hers,

" a child suddenly clamored, pointing directly at me., That one gesture drew even more attention our way, with Ernest turning to look this time too., I could tell he was watching me, his brow furrowed., In that moment, I felt like a kid caught sneaking ice cream, unable to move with it plastered to my lips.

"Let's take a photo,

" Henrik suddenly said, pulling me close and snapping a selfie with his phone., He even managed to throw a provocative glance at Ernest while doing it., Ernest turned away, and Henrik whispered in my ear,

"Jealous, is he?

", I wasn't sure, but I knew Henrik had an ulterior motive. I elbowed him lightly,

"Aren't you a bit too childish?

", He just laughed softly, continuing to enjoy his ice cream, his gaze still fixed on Ernest as if plotting something., I, too, was pondering. With Ernest,, Conrad, and Jefferson all here, the key men in my life had gathered. Their presence seemed to foretell that this game wouldn't be peaceful. , IMS, Thinking back to my agreement with Henrik, I reminded him as the game was about to start,

"Remember, you promised to let Jefferson go after the game.

" ,

"We'll see how he behaves,

" Henrik's response made me want to smash the ice cream in his face., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.