The night air in old London was cold, laden with the scent of rain that had washed the streets wet with tales and shadows moving under the gaslights. The luxurious hall was only a rudimentary stage, and the game was not just gambling at the table, but a much grander gamble, where minds played with the same skill as hands.
Elizabeth walked quietly down one of the dark alleys, while John followed closely behind her. He was uneasy; he felt that something was not yet finished.
♠ John (in a low voice, his eyes darting between the dark corners): "Tell me, Elizabeth... what was that?"
♠ Elizabeth (quietly, without looking at him): "What do you mean?"
♠ John (stopping abruptly, turning her to face him): "This game with William. It wasn't just a gamble, was it? There was something else behind it all."
Elizabeth looked at him for a long moment, then smiled faintly, but didn't answer.
❤️ Madeline (in a soft voice, suddenly appearing from around the corner of the building): "He's right, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth's eyebrows rose slightly, but she showed no surprise.
♠ Elizabeth: "Everyone seems to be interested in what I'm doing these days."
❤️ Madeline (approaching with quiet steps, her eyes never leaving Elizabeth's intense gaze): "That's because you're not like everyone else. You're playing on a different level."
♠ Elizabeth "And you? What level are you playing on, Madeline?"
Madeline smiled, but didn't answer directly. Instead, she moved closer, until they were only a step apart.
❤️ Madeline (whispering, her eyes searching Elizabeth's face for a reaction): "I'm not playing, Elizabeth. I'm just watching and analyzing... and sometimes, I pull some strings here and there."
♠ Elizabeth (tilting her head slightly, in a sarcastic tone): "So, you're just a bystander? I don't believe that for a second."
❤️ Madeline (laughing lightly, but not moving away): "And you? Are you finally going to tell us why you were really in that hall?"
Before Elizabeth could respond, a voice came from the darkness, quiet but full of confidence.
🃏 William"Because she's looking for something."
Everyone turned toward the voice. William was standing at the end of the alley, leaning against the wall with one hand, the other holding a half-burned cigarette. His eyes glittered in the moonlight, as if he'd been waiting for this moment.
♠ Elizabeth (sighs lightly, as if she weren't surprised at all): "Oh, I didn't think you'd show yourself so quickly, William."
🃏 William (takes a drag on his cigarette, then slowly exhales the smoke): "I've always been here, my dear. I just choose the right moment to speak."
He takes a step forward, his sharp gaze focused on Elizabeth alone.
🃏 William: "The real question here is: What are you really looking for, Elizabeth?"
She's silent for a moment, then half-smiles, the kind of smile that keeps everyone guessing.
♠ Elizabeth: "And you, William? What do you think I'm looking for?"
🃏 William (leans forward slightly, his tone low but charged with defiance) "Your answer will determine whether you emerge victorious from this game... or just another card in my hand."
The conversation became more intense. John was looking at the two of them with concern, while Madeleine was enjoying the scene as if observing an intricate dance between two equal minds.
❤️ Madeleine (muttering with a smile): "What an exciting show..."
But for Elizabeth , this was more than just a show. She knew William was slowly revealing his cards, just as she was.
The game of minds had already begun... The question now was: who would succeed in reading the other first?
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