Chapter 13 A Spectacular Gamble
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Across the table, Drake’s face had already gone pale. He slumped into his chair. He had always considered himself one of the top gamblers in Ocean City. A match he thought was a sure win had been turned around by Ben. Drake’s third card was the Four of Spades–two Kings in hand, but still a complete loss.
Ben casually ran a hand through his hair and stood, slowly fastening the buttons of his suit jacket. He looked at the defeated Drake and sighed lightly. “What a shame. I can’t accept Mr. Drake’s request after all. Thanks for the three hundred million dollars.”
Without another glance at Drake’s ashen face, Ben Yale turned and left the stage with effortless grace. Shadow’s voice rang out behind him. “First round, congratulations to Mr. Ben for a victorious start!”
The audience finally snapped out of their shock and broke into applause, clapping for the brilliant game they had just witnessed.
Ben Yale’s win wasn’t surprising given his skill. In her previous life, Windy had even played against him once. He had used the same strategy back then–but he hadn’t won against her. Still, tonight, she wasn’t here for him. She had someone else to meet. No matter how anxious she was, she could only wait.
There were still twenty–eight players left. Thankfully, each match didn’t last long.
As she was thinking, she heard Shadow announce the start of the second round. The big screen began to spin rapidly, displaying numbers.
After a three–second countdown, the screen stopped.
“Congratulations to our No. 6 guest, Mr. Maine, for entering the second round.”
The spotlight locked onto the No. 6 guest area–a middle–aged man who rose steadily and made his way to the
calm steps.
Mr. Maine was said to be an immigrant, known for his dealings in the antique business.
stage with
“Mr. Maine, please choose your opponent from the remaining twenty–six numbers,” Nightshade said, glancing at the numbers flashing on the big screen.
Mr. Maine barely hesitated before calling out his choice. “Number 11.”
The room buzzed with excitement again. The spotlight swung to the No. 11 section, revealing a vigorous–looking man around sixty, his hair still thick and black.
The man didn’t seem surprised to be chosen. It was almost as if he had been expecting it.
“Please welcome our No. 11 guest, Mr. Gordon,” Shadow announced.
Gordon stood, buttoned his suit jacket with a calm smile, and strolled up to the stage. He carried the refined aura of an artist, his manner gentle and composed.
When he and Mr. Maine shook hands, both men’s eyes flashed with fierce determination, They sat across from each other, silent and focused.
“Please choose your method of gambling: cards or dice,” Shadow said.
Almost simultaneously, the two men answered, “Cards.”
It was clear this wasn’t their first encounter.
Mr. Maine spoke first. “Mr. Gordon, I want your Rivera portrait.”
The Rivera. The only one of its kind in the world. Worth over a billion dollars.
Gordon didn’t react. For someone obsessed with antiques and art, it wasn’t surprising.
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Chapter 13 A Spectacular Gamble
“And your wager?” he asked calmly.
“One billion dollars.”
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A collective gasp swept the room. If Mr. Maine won, he would walk away with the priceless Rivera. If he lost, he would owe Gordon a billion dollars.
Such wealth–it was staggering.
After Mr. Maine stated his terms, Gordon put forward his own conditions. “If I win, I want twenty percent of Mr. Maine’s overseas company shares.”
Even Mr. Maine was momentarily taken aback. Twenty percent was a heavy demand, considering the value of his international businesses.
But he didn’t hesitate for long. He believed in his victory.
“Deal,” he said.
The staff quickly brought a fresh deck of cards to the table. After a thorough shuffle and cut, the air thickened with tension.
The gamble began.
The dealer moved with practiced ease. Neither player watched the shuffling. Instead, their eyes were locked on each other–a silent war already raging.
The cards were dealt one by one. The audience held its breath with each reveal, watching the order and value of the cards unfold.
One mistake could turn the tide. One perfect card could seal the win.
The atmosphere grew heavier as the match progressed. Tension, relief, excitement–they flickered across the players‘ faces, subtle but telling.
Mr. Maine revealed his first card: Ace of Hearts. His furrowed brow relaxed slightly. Second card: King of Hearts. His heart pounded. If the third card was the Queen of Hearts, he would have a royal flush.
Across from him, Gordon’s expression remained completely unchanged. His hand: Ace of Spades and King of Spades.
So far, it was a draw. Everything came down to the third card.
The pressure was palpable when the final cards were dealt.
Mr. Maine glanced at his third card: Queen of Clubs. Close–but not enough.
He hid his disappointment. It wasn’t over yet.
Without hesitation, Gordon revealed his hand.
Queen of Spades.
A straight flush.
Everyone froze.
Two seconds later, Shadow and Nightshade recovered their voices.
*Congratulations to Mr. Gordon for winning the second round!”
Cheers and applause thundered across the hall.
Someone commented, “Still strong despite his age. Mr. Gordon’s smile never wavered once. So composed, so gentlemanly.”
Windy agreed. If she hadn’t known Gordon’s true nature, she might have been fooled too. Behind that mild smile was a ruthless man who devoured everything, leaving not even bones behind.
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12:10 PM
Chapter 13 A Spectacular Gamble
The third round began.
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Windy silently prayed for her number to be drawn. The later it got, the more unpredictable things would become. She couldn’t afford to wait.
The numbers on the big screen spun faster and faster. Twenty–six numbers left.
When the countdown ended, the screen froze.
“Congratulations to our No. 20 guest for entering the third round!” Shadow announced.
The spotlight swung over, landing on Windy.
Under everyone’s expectant gaze, Windy rose and walked calmly toward the stage. Her pace was unhurried, her posture composed. Even though she was so young, her aura was powerful, queen–like, unafraid.
A girl?
The audience buzzed. A new face.
They were surprised and a little worried. After all, gambling at Pleasure Cove was brutal. Failure to fulfill a debt meant severe punishment.
But Windy already sat at the table, calm and poised, as if she owned the place.
Shadow studied her curiously.
A beautiful girl, unfamiliar. As Pleasure Cove’s host, she was familiar with every prominent family’s young heirs and heiresses. Yet this girl didn’t match anyone she knew.
She wondered if Windy was a new darling of some powerful family. But no matter how she searched her memory, she couldn’t place her.
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