~Otsana "Excuse me?" he repeated, his tone laced with confusion. In that moment, I felt completely foolish. My mind went blank, and I couldn't string together a single coherent sentence. Embarrassment washed over me, especially after my impulsive outburst. Before I could even attempt to recover, Ralph appeared, walking over with an air of authority that only added to my anxiety. “What’s going on here? I hope you’re not bothering my guest, Otsana?” he asked, his voice sharp enough to make me jump. Guest? My mind reeled at the word. Just yesterday, Ralph and this man had seemed like sworn enemies, yet here they were, acting like old friends. The shift was so sudden that I struggled to comprehend it. The man beside me chuckled softly, diffusing the tension. “Oh, she’s not bothering me at all,” he said, his voice smooth and reassuring. “We were just talking about the bracelet. I wanted it, but I suppose losing to you wasn’t so bad after all.” I looked up at him, surprised by his unex
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