ATLAS'S HOSTILITY TOWARDS CADEN

Chapter 9

The crowd's cheers filled the air as Riley secured her second-round win, heightening the anticipation for the final round. The other men, previously intimidated by Atlas's prowess, now felt a surge of confidence. Riley's beauty was matched only by her intelligence.

Hazel gently pulled Riley through the crowd, her voice low with concern. "Riley, this feels off. You're winning too easily. Do you think Atlas is going easy on you?"

Riley's smile faltered for a moment before she replied, "Don't be ridiculous, Hazel. I'm just playing smart."

Riley couldn't shake off the feeling that Atlas was intentionally letting her win. But she couldn't voice her suspicions to Hazel, not when Hazel believed Atlas's actions were motivated by his feelings for her as his wife. Hazel's eyes sparkled with amusement as she winked at Riley, before returning to her seat. Riley followed suit, her mind whirling with questions. Was Atlas really going easy on her, and if so, why?

As the final round commenced, Atlas slid a sleek, black box across the table, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "A little added incentive, Miss Sue," he murmured, his deep voice low and husky. "If you emerge victorious, the prize money doubles. But if you falter... the debt will be a hundred million dollars."

Riley's gaze locked onto the box, her eyes widening in trepidation. The amount was staggering, dwarfing her entire net worth. Yet, her competitive spirit refused to be extinguished. With a deep breath, she nodded her acceptance, and the game began.

The final round unfolded with Atlas unveiling a surprise twist: a wildcard card that could upend the entire game. Riley's composure faltered as she struggled to adapt to this unexpected turn. Atlas, however, seemed to have anticipated this development, leveraging the wildcard card to gain a decisive advantage.

The room's atmosphere shifted, the temperature plummeting as Atlas's intensity became mesmerizing. His focus narrowed to the game, and in the blink of an eye, he emerged victorious, leaving onlookers in awe of his effortless win. Riley was stunned, denied even a moment to process her loss.

It was now painfully clear that Atlas had been holding back throughout their game, and the realization dawned on everyone. Hazel rushed to Riley's side, offering words of comfort.

Riley's mind reeled as she grasped the enormity of her debt: a staggering hundred million dollars. The sum would decimate her savings and force her to sell off a significant portion of her assets, still leaving her short. The thought of her grandfather's reaction sent a shiver down her spine; his wrath would be merciless if he discovered the extent of her indebtedness.

Riley hastened after Atlas, her heels clicking on the floor as she struggled to keep up with his purposeful stride. "Mr. Norton, wait!" she called out, her voice tinged with a hint of desperation.

As she reached his side, Atlas slowed to a stop, his gaze flicking towards her. Riley's eyes pleaded with him, her hands clasped together in a supplicant gesture. "May I have some time to settle my debt?" she asked, her voice laced with anxiety.

A hint of amusement danced in Atlas's eyes. "Don't bother," he said, his tone firm but devoid of malice.

Riley's brow furrowed in confusion. "What do you mean?" she exclaimed, her eyes searching his face for clarification.

Atlas's expression remained unreadable. "Exactly what I said," he replied, his voice brooking no argument. With that, he turned and strode towards his sleek black vehicle.

Riley watched, bewildered, as Atlas's car disappeared into the night. She was still trying to process his words when Caden appeared beside her.

"Try not to worry about it," Caden said, his voice low and soothing. Riley wondered if he had overheard her conversation with Atlas.

Caden's eyes held a curious glint, and Riley sensed that he was aware of the undercurrents between her and Atlas. But he didn't press the issue, instead offering her a ride home.

"I'll pass, thank you," Riley said, forcing a smile. She knew that if Caden saw the Aquashire mansion, he would begin to understand the complex dynamics between her and Atlas Norton.

Riley arrived at the grand Aquashire mansion under the cover of darkness, her eyes falling upon her car. She knew she couldn't keep it; if Atlas were to see it, he would instantly recognize the vehicle. With a quiet resolve, she left the car behind, slipping into the mansion unnoticed.

After a refreshing shower, Riley retreated to her bed, seeking solace in sleep. However, her reprieve was short-lived. The next morning, a harsh beam of light pierced through her eyelids, accompanied by the jarring beeps of her alarm clock. Riley groggily opened her eyes, grumbling in frustration as she realized she had forgotten to turn off the alarm.

Thankfully, she had requested a two-day leave, which meant she wouldn't have to face Atlas immediately. That thought brought a faint smile to her lips.

As she reached for her phone, she noticed several missed calls from Jacklyn, along with a recent message: "Miss Sue, your presence is required at the designers' fair in Aquashire today."

Riley sprang out of bed and rushed into the shower, having forgotten about the designers' fair. The event was a hub for the most renowned jewelry designers in Northdesh, and she couldn't afford to miss it.

Upon arrival, Riley was greeted by the who's who of the jewelry world. Caden and his father, Zachary Reed, were in attendance, and Zachary's eyes lit up as he spotted Riley. "Miss Sue," he said, his voice laced with respect, "I knew you wouldn't pass up this opportunity."

Zachary approached Riley, extending his hand in a gesture of greeting. Riley accepted, her smile warm and genuine. "It's good to see you, Senior Reed."

Caden, however, seemed taken aback by his father's familiarity with Riley. As a jewelry aficionado, he recognized the name "Miss Sue" as a legendary figure in the industry. His gaze narrowed, intrigued by Riley's prominent status.

As the trio conversed, they remained oblivious to Atlas's presence behind them. It wasn't until Jaxon cleared his throat that they turned to face Atlas. "Good day to you, Mr. Reed," Atlas said, his tone neutral.

Zachary extended a handshake to Atlas and Jaxon, which they reciprocated. When it was Caden's turn, Atlas hesitated for a moment before accepting the gesture. Zachary noticed the fleeting hostility in Atlas's eyes and, as soon as Atlas departed, turned to Caden with a questioning glance.