Catching the keys and looking down, Breck discovered they were for the sports car he had been eyeing in Bennett's garage.

He raised his eyebrows and quipped.

"For the sake of your gift, I‘ll slip into my bathrobe."

After putting on his robe, Breck glanced at Claudia, standing beside Bennett, and suddenly realized why Bennett said he was unpresentable.

Indeed, Bennett cherished their friendship, but his love and respect for his wife took precedence.

Today was Brecks' birthday, so Duncan and Grover had also come to celebrate.

They arrived earlier and showed no interest in the swimming party that Breck had organized. Instead, they were engrossed in a card game in the entertainment room.

Claudia waited until Breck was covered up, then said, "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," he said with a nod.

As the waiter passed by carrying a tray of alcoholic beverages, Breck took the tray from him and held it himself. He offered Bennett and Claudia a drink from the tray.

“What's your poison?" he asked in a playful tone.

Bennett waved casually.

"I don't drink."

"Okay, I'll ask someone to bring you two glasses of juice. Duncan and the others are playing cards and could use an extra player.

Would you like to join?"

Having recently arrived at Breck's birthday gathering, Bennett was mindful not to depart too soon and risk being impolite.

Bennett hesitated and turned to Claudia.

"Do you want to play?" he asked, wanting to be inclusive of her feelings.

"Sure."

Bennett's select group of friends, who were skilled at playing cards, were usually busy with their commitments. Aside from Breck, who was very social, the others weren't keen on playing with unfamiliar faces.

When they got together, they just played cards and talked about current events, so they had no nightlife like the other affluent young men in the circle.

While the card games were casual, the stakes involved were considerable. The money they gambled with was more than an average person earned in a lifetime.

On one occasion, Claudia joined them for a game of cards. As she played, she felt a rush of adrenaline that quickened her heartbeat.

But she found the experience thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.