My older sister is a villainous rich girl

"That's it?" she said coldly.

"hold head high."

Wayne nodded shamelessly.

“…Okay.” Ge Li agreed almost through gritted teeth. “However, if you lose, you have to promise me one thing.”

Wait, is it going to be another one of those difficult and thankless tasks?

Although he was slightly worried, Wayne still resolutely agreed.

So, in this ultimate showdown of the Lily Society, the others vacated the card table.

Wayne sat down opposite Ge Li with an upright expression.

But as soon as his bottom touched the stool, he felt a soft little foot teasing him from under the table.

"..."

With great difficulty, Wayne suppressed his urge to give Gore a good beating, lowered his eyelids to shuffle and draw cards, and refused to say another word.

Seeing that he was getting into the zone, Ge Li's expression also became serious.

“This time, you won’t be able to win as easily as you did last time,” she said.

Wayne smiled.

Oh, I get it—this is the inevitable "trash talk" segment that takes place before every duel, right?

"That's right, it's possible that winning will be a little more difficult than last time."

Although he knew that Ge Li was clearly implying that his previous victory was because Chris had thrown the game, he deliberately twisted the original meaning of Ge Li's sarcastic remark and returned the sarcastic remark verbatim.

A hint of anger flashed in Ge Li's eyes.

Hehehe, I love how you can't stand me but can't do anything about it...

Wayne was still smug, but he had clearly overlooked the straight-line distance between the two of them, and was kicked hard under the table.

"Hiss—" He tried his best to hide his pain, but he still couldn't help but gasp.

Now it's Ge Li's turn to show off.

She immediately put on a fake act, feigning concern, and asked, "President Wayne, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? You should take better care of yourself..."

Good grief, Ge Li, when did you start learning bad habits from me!

After calming his breathing, Wayne flicked a stray hair from his forehead and waved his hand dismissively, "It's a small problem, nothing to mention."

After the two exchanged greetings, the competition finally began.

In comparison, Golly's skills were even more refined than Chris's, and she could immediately give the next response without much thought.

One can't help but wonder how many rounds of tireless practice went into creating such skillful techniques.

Yes... that's exactly the kind of person Ge Li is.

They always work hard in secret behind the scenes, while putting on a show of being completely at ease in front of others.

Whether it's studying, entertainment, or relationships... her approach to everything is exactly the same.

Witnessing the truly high-level gameplay, everyone around was mesmerized, staring intently at the cards, wishing they could be there in person.

However, Wayne only glanced at the cards occasionally out of the corner of his eye, spending the rest of the time staring intently at Ge Li's face, as if trying to discern her thoughts from her facial expressions.

After several attempts to glare back at him, which all failed, Ge Li gave up and let him watch for as long as he wanted.

After a round of cards, Wayne suddenly said, "I'm going to win."

"Pshaw, how could that be!" Ge Li scoffed. "And the cards you're dealt are so—"

However, before she could finish speaking, Wayne threw out a series of straights, leaving his hand empty in the blink of an eye.

Only then did the last word slowly escape her lips. "...more..."

"Ha." Wayne mercilessly repeated the punishment.

"Copy the school rules and regulations one hundred times, and remember to show them to me when you're done."

Enraged, Ge Li slammed his last remaining card onto the card table.

Tsk tsk tsk, young people these days really have a short temper.

With the pride unique to victors, Wayne shook his head and got up to leave.

……

Riding in Richard's carriage, Wayne, carrying the notes he had compiled that day, went to the church to visit Tasia.

"Wayne, did Lawrence also visit Tasia before?"

Richard unexpectedly broke the tranquility of the carriage, which had been quiet throughout the journey.

Although he didn't quite understand why he was asking this, Wayne answered truthfully, "Yes, there are many of us together."

"I see..."

Richard pondered for a moment, then asked, "Do you think Lawrence is serious about Tasia?"

Ok? ? ?

Is it an emotional gesture?

Wayne's expression suddenly became complicated.

“I don’t think so,” he said without hesitation.

Hearing him say this, Richard's expression showed some hesitation.

After a moment of silence, amidst the occasional rumble of the carriage wheels, Richard said in a very soft voice, "I told you, Wayne, that my father prefers Tasia to be his princess consort... or even, his future queen."

Upon hearing this, Wayne's gaze darkened.

"Yes, I did say that."

The matter had already been discussed before Richard was persuaded to transfer Tasia to his class.

However, Richard's attitude at that time was clearly unwilling to accept the arrangement. Could there be some new changes now?

Wayne was in a state of confusion.

On one hand, he hoped Tasia could find happiness; given Richard's character, this wasn't a bad choice. On the other hand, he didn't want to see Tasia, whom he had such feelings for, fall into the arms of another man.

Can't we just stay the way we were originally?

It only maintains the initial joy and happiness, without the realistic consequences that would only make people unhappy.

Anything becomes unbearable once it becomes a reality.

Chapter 450 Richard's Resentment

"In that person's eyes... he just needed someone to exist to accomplish what he expected."

"It doesn't matter whether this person is me or Lawrence."

Richard's voice was unpredictable, making it impossible to discern his true feelings.

But Wayne probably knew that even though he had always been very successful in his position as crown prince, he was not entirely without resentment towards his father.

Neither Richard nor Lawrence seemed to have a close relationship with the King and his son.

After a brief pause, Richard suddenly gave a forlorn smile.

"Actually, I have no romantic feelings for Tasia."

He said.

"But if someone has to make that sacrifice... it might be better if it were me."

Although Wayne did think Richard was more reliable than Lawrence, he still found the statement jarring.

So he couldn't help but frown and retort, "It's not like she has to marry one of you two brothers, is it? You're taking it far too seriously."

What a joke! Even I'm not that narcissistic.

"..." Richard fell into deep thought.

He doesn't seem to have considered the possibility that the other person doesn't like him.

"Do you intend to force Tasia to marry into the royal family against her will?" Wayne questioned in an unfriendly tone.

This time Richard didn't have time to hesitate and immediately denied it: "Of course not!"

"--That's good." Wayne said calmly.

He didn't want to hear Richard continue.

Just then, the carriage slowed down, and the two finally arrived at the church.

……

They met in the same meeting room as last time, but this time only Wayne and Richard were there, making the room feel much emptier and quieter.

Tasia seemed somewhat surprised to see Richard.

However, she didn't pay much attention to that, and instead sincerely expressed her gratitude to Wayne as soon as they met.

"Wayne! Your notes have really helped me a lot, thank you so much!" She still looked a little tired, but her spirits had improved a lot.

It seems that even while taking care of her mother, she continued to study on her own to avoid falling behind in her studies.

Wayne felt a little relieved.

"Is Auntie's condition any better? Has she resumed eating normally recently?"

"Yes, she's awake now and eating well every day." She was very grateful. "Although she still doesn't have much strength."

“By the way, my teacher is currently researching a device for adjunctive therapy. Once the prototype is ready, I hope you can go and take a look, Tasia; it might be helpful,” Wayne said.

"Huh?"

Tasia looked surprised at his invitation. "Is...this alright?"

"Of course it's okay, I've already booked a trial period with my teacher."

Under Wayne's persuasion, Tasia was indeed somewhat tempted, and so she reluctantly agreed.

"I'm sorry... I've caused everyone so much trouble," she said, sounding somewhat saddened.

"Stop saying sorry all the time."

Wayne was a little helpless.

"It's only right for friends to help each other, and I did this for you voluntarily. You haven't wronged me."

Richard, who had been listening quietly for a long time, chimed in with a friendly tone, "That's right, we're all good friends. If you encounter any difficulties, just come to us."

Good grief, you're using the exact same tactics as Lawrence? My good friend is the same as your good friend?

That's a bit too overly familiar.

Seeing Wayne's speechless expression, Tasia smiled slightly.

"I understand, thank you so much."

She put the notes Wayne had handed her aside, and then gave Wayne another small box that she had brought with her.

"These are some extra cookies I made this afternoon while I was making cookies for my mother... I don't have anything to repay Wayne and Chris, so this is the only way I can convey my gratitude," she said somewhat embarrassedly. "I hope you won't mind."

“How could that be! Chris loves your cookies… oh, of course I love them too.” Wayne accepted the box.

"Tasia, just take good care of your aunt for now and don't worry too much. No matter what happens, you can come to me. I... and Chris will always be your strongest support."

Tasia smiled and nodded at him. "Mm!"

Although it was mostly Wayne and Tasia who were talking, the conversation between the three of them was generally harmonious.

When it was time to part, Tasia thoughtfully escorted them all the way to the church square, and only turned back after watching them board the carriage.

However, unlike when he first arrived, Richard now harbored quite a bit of resentment.

“Wayne, you’re being way too enthusiastic with Tasia. I haven’t even had a chance to talk to her,” he complained.

He had been trying very hard to find any opportunity to interject, but after thinking about it carefully afterwards, he realized that most of what he said was nonsense.

"...Have you forgotten your Miss Aikos?" Staring at the scenery outside the window, Wayne subtly twitched the corner of his mouth.