Wesley maintained a neutral facade while secretly favoring Amy.
Sophia Sullivan smirked inwardly. The gambling match would decide everything—and these people were likely to cheat.
"What's wrong? Scared?" Jessica Lopez clutched her injured arm, glaring at Sophia through gritted teeth.
"You can still back out now and take the compensation money!"
She couldn't understand why Wesley didn't just eliminate Sophia outright.
Or at least send enforcers to threaten her into leaving.
Ultimately, it came down to the Underground City's longstanding rules.
Sophia tilted her head with a faint smile. "If I recall correctly, the casino is also part of the Underground City's territory. Since it's your people running it, how can I be sure you won't collude with Amy..."
She paused meaningfully.
"And pull a double-cross?"
Jessica exploded with rage. "That's bullshit! If we wanted to screw you over, you'd already be dead!"
"Jessica, enough." Wesley turned to Sophia.
"The Gambling King will personally oversee today's match. Surely you understand, Crimson Serpent, that with him present, cheating would be impossible."
Sophia raised an eyebrow.
The Gambling King?
Her mind raced. This mysterious figure was the true power behind the Underground City.
Gaining his support could greatly accelerate her plans to reboot The Nexus.
As Sophia remained silent, Jessica couldn't resist another jab.
"I'll report everything that happened today to the Gambling King!"
Her venomous stare treated Sophia like a dead woman walking.
"Care to guess... how he deals with arrogant upstarts like you?"
Sophia remained unfazed.
"I couldn't care less about the Gambling King's methods."
Her gaze shifted to Wesley, her smile turning deceptively sweet.
"What interests me more is how you discipline disrespectful subordinates, Mr. Evans."
Wesley's pupils constricted, his smile freezing.
Jessica trembled with fury. "You—!"
Ignoring her injured arm, the hotheaded woman lunged at Sophia again.
Before she could get close, a sharp slap sent her crashing to the floor.
SMACK!
Wesley impassively withdrew his hand as Jessica's cheek swelled grotesquely.
She stared in disbelief, unable to process being struck.
"B-boss, you—"
"Crimson Serpent is our honored guest. Is this how I taught you to treat visitors?"
Wesley's narrowed eyes held a silent warning. "Get out."
"...Yes."
Jessica wanted to protest, but one look at Wesley's icy expression silenced her.
She knew all too well that a slap was the mildest punishment Wesley could mete out.
Swallowing her pride, she retreated.
Wesley's pleasant demeanor returned instantly.
"Crimson Serpent, she's been disciplined. Now, shall we discuss business? Compensation or a gamble—the choice is yours."
Sophia saw through Wesley's act.
Beating a subordinate meant nothing to him.
But she lived by "an eye for an eye"—Jessica had brought this upon herself.
"I'll gamble with Amy, on one condition."
"Name it." Wesley's eyes gleamed with interest.
Sophia lazily propped her chin on her hand. "Since the Gambling King will be present, let's have him serve as referee for fairness."