The underground casino pulsed with neon lights.
A red-haired woman lounged against the gambling table, her curves accentuated by a sleek black miniskirt.
Her fiery curls shimmered under the dim glow like molten copper.
She resembled a blooming poppy—breathtaking yet lethal.
"Miss Amy, Crimson Serpent refuses to surrender the room..."
Jessica stumbled forward, clutching her injured arm.
A towering bodyguard blocked her path instantly.
"Don't ruin my mood."
Amy's voice dripped with lazy magnetism.
She accepted a glass from a buzz-cut man and drained it in one go.
Then she picked up a bowling ball and tossed it casually.
The sphere arced through the air.
Ten pins clattered to the ground in perfect unison.
"Miss Amy, you're truly—"
Jessica's flattery was cut off by a bloodcurdling scream.
At the end of the lane, a man's head protruded grotesquely from the floor, his body embedded beneath like a human bowling pin.
Fresh blood gushed from his wounds with each ragged breath.
"Mercy, Miss Amy! Last time was an accident—"
The man sobbed, spraying crimson with every word.
Jessica's blood ran cold.
Now she understood this twisted game.
Amy rested her chin on one hand and smiled.
"Ack, I gave you so many resources."
"Yet you let the goods escape."
"And got my hideout raided."
"How should we settle this debt?"
Her grin sent chills down spines.
Another bowling ball flew.
It smashed directly into the man's face.
The sickening crunch of shattering bone echoed through the room.
Blood painted the lane in violent streaks.
"Entertain my darlings."
Amy gestured to the hulking men behind her.
Bowling balls rained down upon Ack in rapid succession.
His screams faded into whimpers.
Wiping her fingers clean, Amy turned to Jessica.
"Can't even handle something this simple?"
Jessica dropped to her knees.
"Crimson Serpent grew even more arrogant when she heard you wanted the space!"
She embellished eagerly.
"Even Boss Wesley went to negotiate—useless!"
"She demands a proper gamble with you."
A glacial glint flashed in Amy's eyes.
"Gamble with me?"
One of her enforcers stepped forward, seeking praise.
Amy kicked him between the legs without hesitation.
The man collapsed, biting back groans of pain.
"Now even stray dogs dare bother me."
Jessica seized the moment to fan the flames.
"That woman hides behind a mask, playing mysterious."
"She's clearly using you for fame!"
Amy rose with a cold laugh.
"Then let's play."
"But losing means more than just the room."
Her gaze pinned Jessica.
"When my people move, you'd better stay out of the way."
Jessica nodded frantically, schemes flickering in her eyes.
"Where is she?"
Amy checked her watch impatiently.
The sharp click of heels approached across marble floors.