When fate plays its hand
hand 590

Chapter 0590

Bryan was a bit surprised. “Do you go to Kim’s Collection often as well?”

Madison nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah! Their cakes are pretty good.”

Bryan didn’t usually pay much attention to these small trinkets. For one, Elizabeth wasn’t fond of them. Also, he felt that at 30–something, carrying around little charms seemed somewhat juvenile.

Yet this particular charm had stayed on his phone ever since he bought it. It was subtle and understated. He hadn’t expected Madison to notice it so quickly.

“How many times did you try?” she asked.

“Altogether, maybe… around three times?”

Madison nearly gritted her teeth. Why was everyone else so lucky while she kept striking out?

Seeing her obvious frustration, Bryan couldn’t help but laugh. “If you’d like, give me an address to send it to. I have an extra at home that I can send over.”

Madison’s head shot up, meeting his warm, smiling gaze. It felt like looking at a kind older brother she’d known since childhood.

Bryan stood at about six feet tall. He had a gentle, refined look that softened his overall appearance, especially when he smiled.

His eyes seemed to sparkle, radiating kindness and a calm, accepting presence.

Madison stared at him, feeling a sudden warmth rise up from her cheeks to her ears. She stammered, ” You…. you really… would give it… to me?”

S

Bryan was puzzled by her sudden nervousness. He didn’t quite understand her reaction. Just a moment ago, she’d seemed perfectly at ease.

Finding her reaction rather endearing, he was about to say something when he heard someone calling him. “Mr. Sundale! The event is about to wrap up, and we need your signature to confirm the collected materials.”

“I’ll be right there,” he replied. Then, remembering something, he turned and handed Madison a business card. “Here’s my number. Don’t forget to text me your address.”

Madison took the card, watching as he walked off. When he finally disappeared from sight, she looked down at the card. “Bryan Sundale, huh?”

Miranda had already left, and Sam had little interest in mingling. Ordinarily, they wouldn’t have been able to lure him to such an event, but he had come for reasons that had nothing to do with the gathering.

Before leaving, though, he approached the dean, as a warning to Joseph. The wise dean then responded to his concerns with a wily grin. “No worries, I’ll handle t.”

“Glad to hear it,” Sam replied, satisfied.

Outside, feeling his cigarette cravings creeping up, Sam reached Into his pocket for a lighter but paused

+25 BONUS

Chapter 0590

mid–motion. Hansel stood nearby, leaning against his car and blowing smoke. He looked up, his eyes cold as they landed on Sam.

“What’s this? Do you feel like smoking? Thought you quit?” Hansel said dryly.

Sam smirked. “I did–mostly.”

Hansel offered. “Want one?”

With hands in his pockets, Sam walked to his car that was parked conveniently next to Hansel’s. Ignoring the cigarette Hansel extended, he pulled out a pack of gum from his car and started chewing.

“I’m good with this,” he replied.

Hansel scoffed. “Poser.”

Sam shrugged. “Why’re you out here? Thought you’d be inside dancing with your girlfriend.”

Hansel shrugged in return. “Dance is over. It’s too crowded in there, so I came out for a smoke,” he said, lighting another cigarette.

The smell of nicotine drifted in the wind, stirring Sam’s urge to smoke. But he maintained his composure, betraying nothing of his internal struggle.

Hansel held out as long as he could before finally sneering, “Things seemed lively with you guys earlier. So, how did it feel to get turned down?”