Diana wasn't particularly skilled at cards, but she usually had a stroke of luck on her side. Combined with the fact that William and the other older brothers often discreetly fed her good cards to keep her happy, winning or losing was mostly just a game to keep her entertained.
However, in the presence of Jasper Sterling, these "unspoken rules" were completely void.
Not only did he refuse to go easy on her, but he also seemed to have X-ray vision, targeting her weaknesses with every play. Each card he threw landed precisely where it hurt her most. Watching the chips William had left for her vanish like water, Diana's beautiful eyebrows knitted into a tight knot.
This man was clearly picking on her like she was an easy target.
Julian Harrison, watching from the side, couldn't help but chime in. "Jasper, tone it down a bit. What's the point in bullying a young girl? Just wait until William finishes his call and comes back. If he sees you've made Diana cry, he'll have your head."
Jasper's well-defined fingers toyed with a white tile. He looked up lazily, his gaze lingering on the slight redness at the corners of Diana's eyes. A reckless, mocking smile played on his lips. "Is she crying? If she cries, I'll stop."
Julian snorted. "You really are as wicked as ever."
Diana lowered her eyelashes, choosing not to respond. She knew Jasper's twisted sense of humor all too well. He was cold and harsh to the bone; even if she really did shed a tear, he would likely just prop up his chin and enjoy the show. He wasn't the type for mercy.
She had first met Jasper when she was seventeen.
Back then, the fifth son of the Sterling family had a notorious reputation in the east city. Rumors described him as arrogant, deviant, and dangerous—someone whose very marrow was steeped in malice. Diana's only strategy regarding him was to stay as far away as possible.
On the rare occasions when William was away and she was forced to act as a polite hostess, she had once brought out an international chess set to ask for his guidance, hoping to break the awkward silence.
When William taught her chess, it was about the joy of the game and moderate indulgence; when Jasper played, it was about encirclement and slaughter.
He moved his pieces with lightning speed, closing in until every path of retreat was blocked. He wouldn't even give her a chance to shamelessly take back a move. Diana had lost until her nose felt itchy with unshed tears. When she reached out to pack up the board, he pinned it down with his hand.
The man's narrow eyes squeezed slightly, glinting with a playboy's mockery. "Can't handle it already? Losing and then running away—is that all the Knight family taught you?"
That crushing sense of defeat had left Diana with a psychological shadow over chessboards to this day.
"What's everyone talking about? So lively," William said as he walked back into the room. He glanced at the disastrous state of the card table and shook his head helplessly. "Jasper, how old are you? Still stealing candy from a child?"
Diana felt like she had been granted a divine reprieve. She nimbly stood up to give him her seat. Although she was frustrated, her logic told her that she had to rub Jasper the right way to stay safe, so she merely whispered, "It was just my bad luck."
William patted the top of her head dotingly. He naturally tucked his phone into her hand and sat down, rolling up his shirt sleeves. "Stay close and watch. I'll win it back for you."
William played cards with steady precision. Pitted against Jasper's unpredictable and treacherous style, the two of them clashed back and forth across the table.
Diana stood behind William, originally intending to learn some real skills. But as she watched, her curiosity drifted toward the opposite side. Jasper never bothered to organize his hand; the characters, bamboo, and dots were all mixed together with various honor tiles, looking like a chaotic mess after a robbery.
She attempted to analyze what he was waiting for from that jumble of tiles. Just as she leaned in half a step closer, Jasper suddenly turned his head. His deep gaze was like a hook. "Seen enough, little spy?"
Everyone's eyes snapped toward Diana.
Her cheeks flushed warm as she stammered an explanation. "I just... I saw your hand was so messy."
Jasper let out a low laugh and casually discarded a tile. His voice was magnetic and lazy. "I'm waiting for the eight of characters. Now that you've seen it, why don't you hurry back and collect your reward?"
Julian, who was losing so badly he was scratching his head, shouted, "Aha! William, I was wondering why you were so steady today. Turns out you sent a 'little mole' to go undercover!"
William remained noncommittal. He slowly tapped the ash off his cigarette into the crystal ashtray, a flash of indulgence in his eyes. "All's fair in war."
A second later, he raised his hand and played an eight of characters.
Jasper raised an eyebrow. His slender fingers immediately flipped over the messy tiles in front of him. "Winning hand."
Diana stared at that eight of characters, grinding her teeth in frustration.
Once midnight passed, a massive three-tier cake was pushed into the center of the living room. Candlelight flickered as the crowd surrounded William, joyfully singing "Happy Birthday."
Diana was pushed to the outer edge of the group. This subtle shift in position would have never happened in the past; she used to be William's inseparable "attachment."
She stood in the shadows, clapping along with the beat, when she saw William, at the center of the crowd, suddenly look up. His gaze cut through the layers of people, finding her with unerring accuracy.
He reached out his hand, his tone as steady as ever. "Diana, come here."
The crowd obediently parted to make a narrow path. Diana walked over slowly. William's warm palm rested on her shoulder, drawing her in front of the flickering candles.
"Make a wish."
This was an old tradition between them. On William's birthdays, the wish was always hers to make, and he always managed to turn her strangest whims into reality.
But at this moment, as Diana looked at the dancing flames, her heart was entirely still.
"William, I'm past the age of making wishes," she said softly. "It's your birthday. The wish should belong to you."
William's expression shifted slightly. In the shifting light and shadow, he gazed at her for a long moment. Finally, he just gently rubbed her hair. "Fine. We'll save it then. Whenever you think of one, come to me anytime."
The second half of the party belonged to the sophisticated world of alcohol and excess.
Because Diana hadn't quite adjusted to the time zone, she curled up in a corner of the sofa and drifted off for a while. When she woke up, a thick cashmere blanket was draped over her. A servant informed her in a low voice, "President Knight said if you find it too noisy, you can go sleep in the guest room."
She turned her head and looked over. In a nearby booth, William was nonchalantly dealing with the drinking session.
His collar was slightly open, a half-burned cigarette between his fingers. Sitting beside him was a strikingly beautiful woman—Miss Rivers, a popular starlet currently at the height of her fame.
Julian was teasing from the side. "William, Miss Rivers turned down a million-dollar endorsement deal just to fly here for you. Is this cold face all she gets?"
William took a sip of his drink indifferently. "If your heart aches for her, you take her."
"That won't do. I came here for President Knight," Miss Rivers said charmingly, leaning her chin naturally toward William's shoulder.
Watching this, Diana felt a sharp sting in her chest.
Once upon a time, that spot belonged exclusively to her. Back then, William's side was "clean." She could lean on him, act spoiled, or fall asleep in his arms without a second thought.
Now, those privileges were being revoked, bit by bit.
She withdrew her gaze, her fingertips turning white as she gripped the edge of the blanket. After a moment of silence, she looked up and asked the servant, "Have you seen Jasper?"
"Mr. Sterling left about half an hour ago."
Diana threw off the blanket and stood up, her steps hurried as she headed toward the parking area.
"Miss Bell, aren't you going to say goodbye to President Knight?" the servant called out behind her.
Diana didn't look back, merely waving her hand. Her voice dissipated into the night. "I won't disturb him."