I'm Afraid I Won't Be Able to Leave

Chapter 27: Chapter 27: Beating Him Is Child’s Play

Ethan Shaw and Riley Sterling stood up in excitement. ”I’m starting to look forward to this,” Ethan said. ”I wonder if our Eldest Young Master Sterling is about to shoot himself in the foot.”

When they arrived, Morgan Sterling was already waiting in the private room.

As the waiter pushed the door open, Morgan Sterling slowly opened his eyes. When he saw Leah Sinclair trailing behind Asher Keating, he raised an eyebrow, his eyes brightening. Asher noticed and frowned, clearly displeased.

”So you’re all here?” Morgan Sterling remained seated, a smile on his face that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Leah Sinclair glanced around the room. There were other people in the private room; to her surprise, Ben Coleman was among them. She didn’t recognize anyone else, but they all stood up and greeted Asher Keating as ”Third Master Keating” the moment he walked in.

Seeing the situation, Riley Sterling leaned in and asked quietly, ”Should I call for backup?”

”Have them wait nearby,” Asher Keating said with a casual glance.

”Got it. I’ll make the arrangements.”

Riley Sterling took out his phone to call for backup. They knew most of the people here—they were all from the same social circle, but this particular group ran with Morgan Sterling.

”Leah, come sit over here.” Morgan Sterling patted the empty seat beside him, a wide smile on his face as he looked at Leah Sinclair.

Asher Keating ignored him. He led Leah Sinclair over, sat down in the spot himself, and effectively separated her from Morgan Sterling.

”It’s been a while. Looks like you’re not bored of her yet, Third Master?” Morgan Sterling said with a ”tsk.”

”That’s none of your concern.” Asher Keating lit a cigarette, leaned back languidly on the sofa, and draped his arm over Leah Sinclair’s shoulder.

”Guess Leah is just that good, huh? It’s rare for Third Master Keating to stay interested in the same woman for more than a week.” Morgan Sterling languidly lit a cigarette of his own.

”She is. Perfectly delicate. I like that very much.” Asher Keating turned his head and smiled at Leah Sinclair.

Even though Leah Sinclair knew Asher Keating’s words were meant for Morgan Sterling, the way he looked at her and said those simple words made her heart pound uncontrollably. A blush slowly crept up her cheeks.

”Liking her now doesn’t mean you’ll still feel the same later. Just like tonight... who knows how our positions will shift by the end of it?” Morgan Sterling’s eyes were fixed on Leah Sinclair as he spoke.

”What do you mean by that?” Leah Sinclair asked with a frown.

”You’ll find out soon enough.” Morgan Sterling glanced at his watch, then picked up his glass. ”Shall we have a drink first?”

Leah Sinclair didn’t dare drink anything he offered. Ethan Shaw grabbed a clean glass from the side, poured a drink, and placed it in front of her and Asher Keating.

Morgan Sterling raised his glass and clinked it directly against Leah’s. ”Leah, long time no see. I’ve actually missed you. You look absolutely beautiful today.”

Leah Sinclair clutched her glass and glanced at Asher Keating. Only after he gave a slight nod did she take a sip. Ever since she’d walked in, Morgan Sterling’s eyes had been glued to her, making her deeply uncomfortable. It felt like being stared down by a predator that had locked onto its prey.

”Morgan, I’m sure you and the Third Master have things to discuss,” Ethan Shaw chimed in. ”I’ll take Leah to play some pool so we don’t disturb your conversation.”

As he spoke, Ethan Shaw shot Leah Sinclair a meaningful look. Morgan Sterling wasn’t even trying to be subtle tonight, his eyes fixed on Leah. Ethan decided it was best to get her away from the tension, to avoid her getting caught in the crossfire when Asher inevitably blew his top.

Asher Keating patted Leah’s waist. ”Go have fun with Ethan.”

Given the green light, Leah Sinclair quickly got up and followed Ethan Shaw toward a nearby pool table. Riley Sterling, not wanting to leave Asher Keating alone, remained seated.

When Ben Coleman saw the two of them head to the pool table, he sauntered over. ”Leah, care for a game?”

”Get lost. Who wants to play with you?” Ethan Shaw shot back, giving him a massive, unceremonious eye-roll.

”What’s the matter? Is Young Master Shaw afraid to play?” Ben Coleman said, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he shot them a provocative look.

Just as Ethan Shaw was about to retort, Leah Sinclair quietly tugged on his sleeve and said to Ben Coleman, ”Alright.”

”Heh, good! But it’s no fun just playing. Let’s put something on the line, shall we?” Ben Coleman said, heading over to select a cue stick.

”What’s the wager? A slap in the face?”

Leah Sinclair also picked out a cue, testing its weight in her hand before slowly chalking the tip. Ethan Shaw, who had been a little worried, burst out laughing at her comment. He lit a cigarette and leaned against the bar to watch. He’d almost forgotten—this girl held a grudge.

”You!” Ben Coleman shot her a glare. ”Since you’re Third Master Keating’s girl now, you can’t be short on cash. Ten thousand a game. You in?”

Ten thousand a game. Leah Sinclair considered that a very profitable deal and immediately agreed.

Ben Coleman let Leah Sinclair break, and she didn’t bother with pleasantries. She broke hard, immediately sinking two stripes and one solid.

She surveyed the remaining balls on the table, chose stripes, and kept shooting. Ben Coleman could only watch as, without him even getting a chance to take a turn, Leah Sinclair cleared the table.

”Ten thousand. WeChat or Alipay?” Leah Sinclair asked with a grin, pulling out her phone. Grumbling, Ben Coleman took out his phone and transferred the money.

”Hahahaha! Leah, I had no idea you were such a shark!” Ethan Shaw was practically dying of laughter off to the side.

”Back when I had a part-time job, I was basically the undefeated champion of the pool hall,” Leah whispered to him, happily pocketing her phone after seeing the payment notification. ”Beating a guy like him is child’s play.”

”Badass! Take him for more,” Ethan Shaw said, giving her a thumbs-up.

”Hey, hey! What are you whispering about? Let’s go again!” Ben Coleman yelled impatiently.

Ben Coleman lost the next four games in a row. Each time, Leah Sinclair happily high-fived Ethan Shaw before collecting another payment from Ben. Ben felt like he was about to lose his mind. He wasn’t a professional player, but he’d never expected Leah to be this good; she didn’t give him a single opening.

If she broke, she ran the table. Even when he broke, the moment he missed a shot and it was Leah’s turn, she’d clear the table again. For five straight games, he had to listen to the notification chime from Leah’s phone again and again: ”Alipay transfer of ten thousand yuan received.” It wasn’t that he was short on cash, but the feeling was incredibly frustrating.

”Now this is interesting.” Morgan Sterling, who had been watching them this whole time, finally stood up and walked over.

”They’re just kids having a bit of fun with a bet. Is the Eldest Young Master Sterling going to join in?” Asher Keating asked, remaining lazily reclined on the sofa.

”I’m bored anyway. Just looking for some entertainment. Aren’t you going to go see how much your little girl has won?” Morgan Sterling said, looking back at him.

”You didn’t call me here for something this boring, did you?” Asher Keating lit another cigarette, his gaze cold.

”What’s the rush? We have to have an appetizer first.” A strange smile curved Morgan Sterling’s lips. Without another glance at Asher Keating, he walked toward the pool table.

”Third Master, what’s he getting at?” Riley Sterling leaned in to ask Asher Keating. He couldn’t shake the feeling that Morgan Sterling’s smile had a sinister edge to it.

”I don’t know. Just stay sharp.” Asher Keating’s brow furrowed slightly.

”Leah, let’s play something a little more interesting.” Morgan Sterling took off his jacket, casually tossing it aside. He tugged at the collar of his shirt, a smile playing on his lips as he looked at Leah Sinclair.