The man remained unmoved.
What did that mean?
Was he really going to pretend not to know her tonight?
Celia boldly traced the line of his trousers with her dainty foot, her crystal heels catching the light.
The muscles of Nathaniel Fu's leg were taut and powerful—everywhere she touched felt solid and unyielding.
If anyone noticed her teasing him like this under the table, they would surely call her shameless.
By now, she had already slid onto his lap. Nathaniel's deep, narrow eyes slowly narrowed further as he raised his gaze to meet hers.
Her small, delicate face flushed crimson, her expression a perfect mix of innocence and mischief—like someone who knew she had done something bad yet pretended to be blameless. She bit her lip gently, her pearly teeth pressing against the soft flesh, and looked up at him with that delicate, slightly vexed gaze.
Nathaniel dropped the cigarette from his fingers into the ashtray. A wry thought crossed his mind—had he owed her a debt in a past life, and now she was here to collect it by making mischief?
Without hesitation, he threw down two cards: a Joker, then a Jack and a King. The combination instantly blasted Song Zilin.
Song Zilin's jaw nearly dropped. "Second Brother, aren't we supposed to be on the same side? Why are you trying to crush me?"
Nathaniel ignored him and casually laid down another card—a three.
Celia's eyes lit up. She immediately placed her last card, a four. "I win!"
And she did.
The men around the table weren't fools. After seeing that much, it was obvious the young woman hadn't lied—she really was with Mr. Fu.
Applause broke out. "Amazing! Well done, young lady!"
Song Zilin groaned, clutching his head. "My money! I put everything on that hand!"
He had thought he would be winning off Celia tonight, but instead he had lost it all.
It seemed Second Brother's personal life was entirely off-limits.
"Mr. Song, don't blame me for not going easy." Celia beamed, happily collecting her winnings. She sat down and began counting her chips, humming to herself.
Just as she was enjoying herself, the sofa beside her sank slightly. Nathaniel had stopped playing and taken a seat next to her.
Watching her count her winnings with such enthusiasm, he gave a low chuckle. "You really like money that much?"
"Yes. Who doesn't?" she shot back without looking up.
Nathaniel leaned back lazily against the sofa, his long frame stretched in casual elegance. One arm draped across the backrest behind her, so close it brushed her hair. "I thought you didn't care about money. If you did, why would you ever walk away from me?"
The others were still busy at the card table, but here in the corner, the dim golden light fell across his sharp, aristocratic features, sculpting them with shadows and brilliance.
A man like this—this kind of beauty—was beyond rare.
Dangerously captivating.
Celia instantly understood the hidden meaning in his words. Everything Nathaniel had to offer was built on money, yet she had once dared to walk away. If she truly loved money, why would she reject him? Wasn't being with him the same as sharing his wealth?
His tone tonight was different—lower, softer, tinged with something she couldn't quite name.
She tilted her small face toward him, her voice soft and teasing. "Mr. Fu, is it too late for me to regret it now?"
As she leaned closer, Nathaniel caught the faint fragrance that clung to her skin. Instead of answering, he tossed something lightly into her lap.
"What's this?"
Celia looked down and found a small box of chocolates.
Strawberry flavored.
A neat assortment, wrapped in pink and white foil—sweet, girlish, and utterly charming.
She blinked at him. "You brought this back from overseas?"
Nathaniel nodded. "Mm."
This was his habit. Every time he returned from abroad, he brought her something—sometimes diamonds, sometimes jewelry, sometimes something as simple as chocolate.
A man like him was impossibly generous, dangerously charming, and fiercely protective.
Who had taught him to be this way?
Was it that so-called white moonlight from his past? His first love?
Had she been sweeter than this box of chocolates?
Celia unwrapped a strawberry piece and popped it into her mouth. The flavor was sweet and fragrant. Then, without warning, she leaned in, tilted her head back, and pressed her lips against his.