The housekeeper brought a platter of fruit and juice. After making sure Kristen was settled, Jason went next door.
Kristen lounged on the soft sofa, able to see everything happening next door on the display screen.
When Jason entered the room, Finn was already powdering his cue, "Jason, you break."
"You do it," Jason replied, casually prepping his own cue.
"Then don't mind me." Finn leaned over the table—half his body stretched across the felt—and broke like a pro.
He sank the first shot.
"Haven't played in ages—thought I'd be rusty." Finn grinned, pride in his tone.
Grace, face still pale, cheered him on, "Finn, your pool skills could rival a professional's."
Jason watched the scene in silence.
In the next room, Kristen picked at her fruit, suddenly too anxious to eat. She worried for Jason.
She knew Finn's pool game well: best of his wild crew, and trained by a pro. Would Jason even get a chance to shoot?
Kristen bit her fork, anxiety clouding her bright eyes.
—Clack!
After just two turns, Finn missed a shot—though his score was still decent.
"Your turn, Jason."
Jason set down the chalk, strode to the table, and, just as he bent to line up his shot, he straightened. "Plain pool is boring. How about we make it interesting?"
"What kind of bet?" Finn asked.
Jason paused a moment, voice relaxed. "Let's say… if you win, pick any car from my garage."
Finn's eyes lit up—Jason's garage held several rare limited-edition sports cars, and he'd never let anyone borrow one before.
Now, so generous!
"Your word, Jason. If you lose, no take-backs," Finn crowed, already counting his victory.
Jason's lips curled. "But if you lose, you both finish all the food in the dining room."
That spread had been prepared just for them—no waste allowed.
Grace's smile froze—she couldn't stand the thought of eating any more of that revolting food.
Finn, determined to win a supercar, didn't notice her fear and boasted, "Relax, there's no way I'll lose."
Grace forced a nervous smile. "Mm, I believe in you."
Jason leaned and shot with practiced ease.
—Clack.
The black ball clipped a red ball, which ricocheted off the table and struck Finn square in the forehead—smack on the spot Kristen's cup had tagged days before. It rebounded onto the table and spun into a pocket.
"Hiss…" Finn grabbed his forehead, pain threatening tears.
"Finn, you okay?" Grace rushed over in concern.
Finn waved her off, still clutching his head.
Grace shot a look at the blank-faced Jason, suspecting it wasn't an accident.
Jason's voice was calm as ever. "Sorry, just a slip."
There was no apology in his chilly tone.
Finn, seeing Jason's ball sink, wasn't mad—he even complimented, "Jason, that was impressive! You still made the shot!"
"Just lucky," Jason replied.
Finn agreed, ushering Grace farther away. "Let's stand back in case we get hit again!"
On the sofa next door, Kristen frowned in thought.
It sure didn't look like a mistake or luck to her—it looked like… Jason had planned it that way?
( End of Chapter)
Hi ✨ for access to additional chapters of
VIPERS VOWS AND VENGEENCE { 30 CHAPTER }
WHY IT NEVER END'S { 30 CHAPTER }
IN NEXT LIFE WE'LL SWITCH { 30 CHAPTER }
Join patreon.com/Imtheone14