Chapter 12 The Leaf Family and the Yale Family
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Drake realized too late that Ben Yale wasn’t mocking him–he really was thanking him. At Pleasure Cove, there was a rule: if you were the last one without an opponent, you had to face the casino’s “gambling god,” a guaranteed defeat. The gambling god was Pleasure Cove’s signature attraction. Over the years, countless people had challenged him. None had ever won.
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If someone did win, they could demand anything from Pleasure Cove. Anything. Even full ownership of the casino. But no one had ever succeeded. Losers either left behind a billion in cash–or a hand.
“Mr. Drake, what is your wager?” Shadow asked.
Drake glanced at the calm, unshakable man across from him, feeling his heart drum wildly. But he had no choice but to press forward. “I want the support of the Yale family,” he said, voice steady, tone earnest.
The room stirred. No one had expected such audacity. The Leaf family ranked among Ocean City’s top ten, but compared to the Yale family, they were nothing. The Yale family was one of Capital City’s four great families, leagues beyond what the Leaf family could ever reach.
Still, if Drake won, the Leaf family would gain a powerful backer. Their future in Ocean City would be untouchable.
Windy watched from the second floor, secretly marveling. Money was truly a wonderful thing.
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Clearly, Drake had done his homework. The Yale family was notorious for dominating both legitimate and underground markets. Their power was not something the Leaf family could dream of matching. If Drake won tonight, it could save the Leaf family’s collapsing finances.
Windy had only seen Ben Yale once before, but she knew a lot about him. Pleasure Cove itself had minor Yale family investments. Raised in such an environment, Ben Yale had mastered gambling inside and out. How could a rookie like Drake possibly win?
Onstage, Ben Yale’s voice interrupted her thoughts. “And what is your stake, Mr. Drake?”
Drake lifted his chin confidently. “Two hundred million.”
At that, Ben Yale almost laughed aloud. Two hundred million? In exchange for the Yale family’s backing? What a joke.
Drake’s ambition was written all over his face. He thought that by attaching himself to the Yale family, he would rise effortlessly. Two hundred million? Laughable.
Ben Yale didn’t answer immediately, but his disdain was obvious. He wasn’t even interested. Drake’s nerves grew tighter.
He had put everything he could on the line–the best stake the Leaf family could offer. If Ben Yale refused, he would lose this rare chance to climb higher.
“No,” Ben Yale said coolly.
Desperation surged in Drake’s chest. “Three hundred million. Mr. Ben, our Leaf family might not compare to the Yale family, but this is the best I can offer.”
He twisted his hands anxiously, eyes fixed on Ben Yale, begging silently.
Ben Yale was a businessman, not one to be moved by emotion. He didn’t even frown. He spoke coldly, without mercy. “Three hundred million. In U.S. dollars.”
Drake nearly collapsed into his chair. It was like the strength had drained from his body. Three hundred million dollars. Over two billion yuan. He felt dizzy.
This demand was outrageous. Giving up three hundred million dollars would cripple the Leaf family’s already fragile finances. Their limit had been three hundred million yuan, not dollars.
Two minutes passed. Drake still couldn’t decide.
Shadow, seeing the delay, stepped in professionally. “Mr. Drake, have you made your decision? You have one minute left. Otherwise, we will assume you forfeit.”
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Chapter 12 The Leaf Family and the Yale Family
She smiled politely at Ben Yale. “Mr. Ben, please bear with us for a moment.”
The countdown ticked by.
Just as Shadow was about to announce the forfeiture, Drake shouted, “Wait! I agree to Mr. Ben’s terms!”
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He had no choice. If he didn’t bet now, the Leaf family was finished. He believed in his gambling skills. In Ocean City, he had few equals.
This was a risk, but it was better than doing nothing.
The gambling formats at Pleasure Cove were simple: cards or dice. One round decided everything. No drawn–out battles, no second chances. Too many players, too little time.
Ben Yale watched Drake’s inner turmoil and almost felt sorry for him. Almost. Truthfully, he was thrilled. He had come tonight just to watch the action, not expecting to pick up hundreds of millions along the way. What a surprise.
“Alright,” Ben Yale said lightly. “What will we play?”
Drake exhaled slowly, dark light flashing in his eyes. “Cards.”
Cards it was.
Ben Yale’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Fine. You go first.”
Both sides would shuffle once, then the dealer would shuffle a final time. One card dealt per shuffle, three cards total.
The sound of Drake’s shuffle echoed through the hall. His hands moved swiftly, fluidly. People gasped in surprise. They had assumed the young master of the Leaf family was a soft scholar–not a card shark. Appearances were deceiving.
Drake stopped and dealt the first card.
Both men flipped their cards.
Drake: King of Hearts. Ben Yale: Ten of Hearts.
A good start for Drake. He exhaled quietly in relief.
Next shuffle. Ben Yale dealt this time. His hands moved so fast the cards blurred.
The second cards flipped.
Drake: King of Spades, Ben Yale: Jack of Spades.
The big screen displayed their hands clearly. The audience buzzed with excitement. It looked like Drake had this in the bag. Two Kings against a Ten and a Jack–there was almost no suspense left.
The third shuffle began.
Ben Yale’s face showed no change. Calmly, he unbuttoned the top button of his shirt, looking entirely relaxed. Many thought it was the action of a man resigned to losing.
Drake was already savoring victory. He imagined the Leaf family basking in glory, finally holding a place of power in Ocean City.
Ben Yale glanced at the smug boy across the table, the corners of his mouth twitching in amusement.
“Open,” he said coolly.
Both flipped their third cards.
The hosts, Shadow and Nightshade, gasped audibly.
“Wow! Amazing! Mr. Ben, how did you do that?” Shadow exclaimed.
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Chapter 12 The Leaf Family and the Yale Family
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On the screen, the third cards revealed themselves.
Ben Yale’s: Queen of Clubs.
A straight–Ten, Jack, Queen.
A perfect straight.
No one had seen it coming.
