Caleb arranged fifteen red balls and six colored balls into a standard snooker triangle according to regulation.
The air carried a faint scent of champagne mixed with the fragrance of women.
The young masters watching quietly formed a semicircle, leaving the table open for the two leads of tonight's first round.
"Start. Who goes first?" Caleb looked at Timothy Zole and Adrian Carter one after another.
Adrian didn't spare Timothy a glance. His gaze passed over the crowd and landed steadily on Riley Palmer, who was seated behind them.
"He can go first."
Timothy chuckled. "Alright, I'll go."
He accepted the cue from a nearby female model, fingers brushing her palm lightly as he took the chalk.
He bent down, posture perfect, too perfect, almost flashy. His eyes carried a hint of disdain.
Crack—
With a crisp sound, he struck the cue ball with force, sending it crashing into the bottom of the red-ball cluster.
The reds exploded instantly, several scattering near the pockets in a visually impressive burst.
"Wow—"
Gasps rippled through the onlookers.
Timothy smiled at Adrian. This was exactly the effect he wanted. He didn't care about winning, just care about putting on a dazzling performance.
One hand resting on the model's waist, Timothy looked at Adrian.
"Your turn, Mr. Carter."
Now it was Adrian's move.
He ignored Timothy's gaze.
He picked up his own cue with unhurried steadiness, movements relaxed and controlled.
That faint, unreadable smile remained on his lips.
After studying the layout on the table, Adrian selected a red ball near the low cushion, a tricky angle.
His eyes were focused, calm.
Tap—
The sound of Adrian's shot was much softer than Timothy's, but steadier.
The cue ball traced a precise straight line, sending the chosen red ball smoothly into the pocket.
As if perfectly calculated, the cue ball drifted gently toward an excellent position near the black ball.
There were no cheers this time. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Adrian's next move.
Without hesitation, Adrian continued clearing the scattered, highest-value balls, black and pink.
Every shot was precise. The cue ball's positioning was nearly perfect, stopping at the optimal angle each time.
Caleb quietly moved to Leonard Sterling's side and whispered,
"Tsk, Timothy is screwed."
Leonard glanced at Caleb without speaking, silently counting Adrian's points in his mind.
Riley slowly walked from the distant seating area, wine glass in hand, stopping beside Leonard.
Her eyes followed Adrian's movements, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
Adrian continued his break without pause.
Timothy's smile gradually stiffened, the hand on the model's waist slowly tightened.
In this game, Timothy had become a mere spectator, forced to watch as Adrian turned his flashy opener into a humiliating joke.
Adrian cleared the table in a single break. That faint smile never left his face as he looked up at Timothy.
Clap clap clap—
Applause filled the entire private room. No one present wasn't amazed by Adrian's skill.
Adrian ignored the others and walked straight toward Riley.
He stood quietly before her, like a little fox waiting to be praised.
"Holy, Mr. Carter, you really didn't leave Timothy a shred of face," Caleb said in disbelief.
He knew Adrian was talented, but this was too much.
Leonard didn't speak, simply watched Adrian.
Adrian ignored their chatter, looking only at Riley.
Riley thought and thought, but couldn't come up with anything fitting.
In the end, she only managed one word: "Amazing."
Adrian chuckled softly, handed his cue to Leonard, and tugged Riley along.
"Not playing anymore?" Caleb asked.
"No. I'm staying with my girlfriend." Adrian didn't look back as he led the girl to sit down.
"Tch— love-struck fool," Caleb scoffed, then turned to Leonard. "You're not allowed to do that in the future."
Leonard stared at the finger Caleb pointed at him, paused for half a second, then finally responded, "Mm."
Adrian pulled Riley onto his lap, lounging comfortably against the back of the chair.
"I won," he said, almost smug.
Riley played dumb. "Oh? And so?"
"Riley, you lied to me."
Adrian suddenly sat up straighter, looking at the girl in his arms. "You clearly agreed earlier…"
His tone softened.
"Agreed to what?" Riley tilted her head.
Adrian pursed his lips and looked away.
"Mr. Carter, your brother-in-law is here." Leonard approached, unable to stand their clingy display anymore.
Riley immediately jumped off Adrian's lap.
"Riley, you're here too?"
Yudy Palmer looked pleasantly surprised to see his sister.
"Brother, how is it? Did it go well?" Riley hurried to him.
Yudy patted her head. "Very well. I'm entering the cast soon."
"Brother, you're amazing!" Riley said proudly.
"Congrats, Brother Yudy." Adrian walked over, taking his place beside Riley.
Yudy gave a faint smile.
"Caleb, who's this?"
Liam Polly walked over, looking at Yudy beside Caleb.
Caleb glanced at the tattoo deep inside Liam's ring finger, the light from the wine glass revealed it clearly:
'Love Rudy.'
Caleb put on his usual warm smile.
"Oh, let me introduce you. This is Yudy Palmer. Mr. Carter's brother-in-law, and my business partner."
Caleb didn't linger long with Yudy in front of Liam. After a few sentences, he clapped Yudy on the shoulder and led him away to meet others.
Riley watched them walk off and slowly exhaled.
Her brother… was finally getting his break.
"Riley, want to stay longer?" Adrian held her cold hand, slipped it into his pocket.
"For a bit."
She kept her eyes on Yudy, afraid he might offend someone.
"Okay."
After a few drinks, Yudy's body swayed unsteadily.
Leonard, standing behind Caleb, reacted quickly and caught him.
Caleb was startled and immediately asked,
"Yudy, are you alright?"
"I'm… fine…"
Yudy rubbed his head, looking at the floor.
"He's been drugged." Leonard frowned.
Caleb froze. "Drugged?"
His expression tightened instantly.
H City was an open-minded place. At gatherings in the circle of fame and fortune, it wasn't unusual for young masters to bring their male partners around.
"Take him back first." Leonard supported Yudy carefully and headed upstairs.
"Brother!" Riley panicked and rushed toward them.
Adrian frowned. "What happened?"
"He was drugged," Leonard answered calmly.
Adrian's brows knitted deeply as he scanned the bustling crowd around them.
"We're leaving."
He took Yudy from Leonard's shoulder in one swift motion.
Although Yudy was an actor and maintained strict control over his weight, at 188 cm he wasn't exactly light. Even Adrian, standing at 190 cm, struggled a bit.
Caleb watched them leave, worry clouding his expression.
Behind him, Leonard murmured something to his assistant.
"Leonard…" Caleb looked nervously at his glass.
"Don't worry. They wouldn't dare go that far."
Leonard's tone was cold, but the pat on Caleb's shoulder felt warm.
Riley's Apartment
"Careful." Riley braced the door.
"So hot…"
Yudy kept tugging at his suit jacket.
Riley pressed a chilled bottle of water to his forehead.
"Hot…"
"Don't worry, the doctor will be here soon." Adrian said while watching Riley, phone in hand.
Yudy's mind was a fog. His head throbbed, his hands restless, pulling at his clothes.
The Carter family's private doctor hung the IV and turned to Adrian respectfully.
"Pinnoc, how is he?" Adrian asked, seeing the worry all over Riley's face.
Pinnoc sighed.
"Pretty bad."
Riley trembled. "What do you mean?"
"That drug has a massive rebound effect. It's not something people openly buy on the market."
Pinnoc glanced sideways at Adrian.
Adrian stayed silent, watching Yudy.
Then he left the room.
Balcony Outside the Apartment.
Adrian held his phone, waiting quietly for the response.
"Did you find out?"
His voice was cold as the damp air hinted at incoming rain.
The other side answered,
"The Polly family."
Adrian's eyes sharpened, his grip on the railing tightening.
"Don't act impulsively. We're not certain he did it," Leonard urged over the line.
"Who do you think it is, then?"
Adrian looked up, a helpless edge in his voice.
"Nydia Polly."
The answer was exactly the name Adrian had in mind.
Silence stretched.
The cold wind of H City brushed past him.
"Adrian, Adrian."
Caleb's voice came from the phone.
"How's Yudy? Is he alright? Need my help?"
"Help? Sleep with him?"
Adrian shot back.
"Please, I'm straight."
Adrian's smile vanished. He stared at the phone.
Beep beep beep—
"Tsk. Said the wrong thing." Adrian muttered.
Knock knock—
Adrian frowned. Who would come at this hour…?
Click—
He opened the door slowly.
A man in a sharp suit stood outside, and Adrian's eyes narrowed.
"Mr. Liam Polly."
Adrian's voice was wary.
"Adrian, long time no see."
Liam spoke leisurely, one hand in his pocket, arrogance in his posture.
Adrian tightened his grip on the door, ready to shut it at any moment.
"Don't be so distant. I'm here to save your friend."
Liam crushed his cigarette and looked up at Adrian.
Adrian's smile froze.
"So this is your move when you can't get what you want?"
Liam looked away, smiling slightly.
Behind him, his men shoved forward a boldly dressed woman.
Nydia Polly.
A deep, fresh slap mark stained her cheek.
Adrian showed no reaction. He simply watched.
"Adrian, my little sister forgot her manners. I'm here to apologize to you and your friend."
Liam's eyes grew icy as he glanced at Nydia before turning back with a smile.
He pulled a small vial from his pocket and handed it to Adrian.
"This is the antidote. Let him take it."
"In a few days, I'll bring my sister to visit him personally."
Liam bent slightly, still smiling, a smile with a hint of menace.
Adrian returned the gaze coldly, nodded, and shut the door.
Bang—
Liam's smile disappeared with the sound of the door.
His expression returned to that of the cold, ruthless head of the Polly family.
He looked down at his trembling sister.
"Take her away. Dump her at the Polly house gates."
His voice was a blade, cold and sharp, slicing straight through Nydia's heart.
She cried, clutching his leg.
"Brother....brother, no....please, I don't want this...."
"Brother, I beg you, help me...help me!"
Liam didn't react. Then he bent down slightly and lifted her chin.
"Nydia, tell me....wasn't this exactly how Rudy begged you back then?"
His eyes held no color, no emotion.
All the light drained from Nydia's eyes as she collapsed, limp, while Liam's men dragged her away.