Chapter 68

[ 1,143 words ]

Emilia’s POV

“Come in.”

Before I could make up my mind, Sebastian had already given the order. No turning back now. I took a deep breath and walked in.

“Hey, who’s this?”

“Is she the seventh wife?”

“Sebastian, you’re a lucky man. You change wives like you change shirts, and each one looks better than the last.”

“Not just better looking. Higher quality too.”

My blood ran cold at their jokes. What had I done to end up here? Just because of this moody bastard, I was being treated like an object on display for a bunch of jerks?

But still, I kept my manners and introduced myself to them, exchanging names.

Sebastian sat down like he didn’t have a care in the world. Completely ignoring my situation.

I walked over to sit next to him. He shot me a look. “Not here.”

Awkward silence. I didn’t know whether to sit or stand.

Then one of the guys waved at me. “Sweetheart, come here. Sit with me. Those guys are all creeps. You’re safest with me.”

I was speechless. Did they think I was some kind of bar girl?

I glanced at Sebastian. Birds of a feather flock together. He was a mess, and so were his friends.

I didn’t sit next to those four creeps. Instead, I took the only empty sofa,right across from Sebastian. If I sat there, I’d have a clear view of him.

“So, should we call some girls tonight?”

Sebastian’s casual suggestion caught everyone off guard. They exchanged glances.

Jeremy Erskine looked surprised. “Did I hear that right? Sebastian, aren’t you the one who hates women the most?”

“Depends. Clingy women are annoying. Well-behaved ones are fine.”

He said it like he was talking to me directly.

“Is the seventh wife the first type or the second?”

Jeremy kept teasing.

Marcus Janessen jumped in. “Do you even need to ask? Look at how proper she is. She’s definitely the obedient type.”

“Can’t be too sure. Some people act obedient on the surface but are rebellious underneath. Don’t be fooled.”

I gritted my teeth and glared at the man across from me. If he had a problem with me, he could say it to my face. Did he have to use sarcasm?

I looked away. But then I noticed, Sebastian’s words had only made these jerks more interested in me. They were staring at me openly now, laughing at my expense.

I felt anger burning inside me, but I didn’t show it. Not one bit. I knew what he was doing. He was humiliating me on purpose, hoping I’d get smart and leave.

I’d rather swallow every bit of this than let him win. This was my only chance to repay my in-laws for treating me like their own daughter.

I took a breath and forced a smile. “I’m not ’the seventh wife.’ My name is Emilia Taylor. “

” Can I shake your hand?”

Jeremy jumped up and sat next to me. The other three followed. Four hands reached out to me at the same time.

I shook each one politely. Not too warm, not too cold. Just right.

Sebastian watched the whole thing. Then he dropped a bomb.

“Let’s play dice. But not for money. For people.”

“For people?”

Everyone was stunned, including me. Was this guy seriously using people as betting chips?

“Yeah. The loser gives up their wife. Let everyone have some fun.”

Sebastian’s voice was dead serious.

Marcus tried to stay calm. “Sebastian, let’s be clear. None of us here have wives except you.”

“Oh, your female friends count too. Unless you’re afraid none of them would answer your call?”

Jeremy laughed. “I’ve got plenty of female friends. But are you serious about this?”

“Do I need to sign a contract?”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. The four of them shook hands. “No need. Let’s call them now.”

One by one, they pulled out their phones and walked out. The room fell silent.

I stared at Sebastian. After a long moment, I asked, “Don’t you think you should have asked for my permission before making such a ridiculous bet?”

He smirked and pointed at the door. “If you don’t like it, you can leave right now. No one’s stopping you.”

There it was. His real intention. Every word, every action all aimed at getting rid of me.

“If you’re fine with it, I’m fine with it.”

I held my ground. When it came to endurance, no one could beat me. Thanks to my father and stepmother, my tolerance was rock solid.

Small sacrifices for bigger plans. That was my rule.

Sebastian saw I wasn’t backing down. He was about to say something when his friends came back. But the look in his eyes said it all , he wanted to see how long I could last.

The waiter brought dice and drinks. Marcus pulled out a stack of hundred-dollar bills and tipped him. The waiter grinned. “Should I call some girls?”

Marcus waved him off. “No need. Our backup team is on the way.”

Caleb Lawrist handed me a glass of wine. “Mrs. Simons, try this. See if you like it.”

I politely refused. “No, thanks. I don’t drink.”

“Really? A woman who doesn’t drink? Don’t worry, I didn’t drug it.”

“Sorry, I really don’t drink.”

The more I refused, the more Caleb insisted. He pushed the glass toward me. It tipped. Red liquid splashed all over my dress.

“Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean it.”

He quickly pulled out a handkerchief and reached for me.

I grabbed it from him. “Forget it. I’ll do it myself.”

“Hey Caleb, you ruined Mrs. Simons’s dress. Shouldn’t you pay for it?”

Jeremy mocked him.

“Of course. That’s nothing. Even twenty or thirty dresses wouldn’t be a problem.”

From start to finish, Sebastian didn’t say a word. Like the woman being humiliated by his friends had nothing to do with him.

His coldness stung.

I stood up. “I’m going to the bathroom.”

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at myself. I took a deep breath.

Emilia, are you really going to let something this small get to you? How many hard times have you been through? This is nothing. Don’t be weak. Pull yourself together. You’ve got this.

I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face.

Instantly, I felt clearer. Stronger.

I walked back to the booth. Before pushing open the door, I took another deep breath. The moment I stepped in, I had to play the part of the unbreakable cockroach.

I pushed the door open.

The room was loud now.

Besides the men, there were four beautiful women in the room. Flirty. Showing off.

Above the gambling table, the game had officially begun.

My fate for the night was in one man’s hands.

And that man had no intention of winning.

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