Sophia Sullivan remained silent.
Her gaze shifted between the community cards and her own hand.
Her movements betrayed her inexperience.
The dealer gave a slight shake of his head.
"Final round of betting is closed."
"Total pot: 1.7 million."
"Show your hands."
Jessica stepped forward eagerly.
She flipped Amy's cards for her.
All eyes locked onto the revealed hands.
Amy's best combination was a single pair of Aces.
Not exactly a strong hand.
But when Sophia revealed her cards, the tension dissolved into stifled laughter.
Her hand was laughably bad.
Someone snorted.
"Nothing but mismatched cards. Highest is a King."
"Why didn't she fold earlier?"
"Is Crimson Serpent out of her mind?"
"Newbies always try bluffing."
"Too bad her face gives everything away."
"What's a perfumer doing playing Texas Hold'em?"
"She probably still doesn't understand what went wrong."
"Easy money for me."
The dealer professionally compared the hands.
He pushed the entire pot toward Amy.
"First round goes to Amy."
Liam Winston studied Sophia.
Her brows were furrowed, lips pressed tight.
Eyes downcast, lost in thought.
His fists clenched unconsciously.
This was a life-or-death gamble.
An inexplicable irritation gnawed at him.
For a fleeting moment, he considered—
Using the Winston name to beg Amy for mercy.
He crushed the thought immediately.
Madness.
Sophia had made it clear.
After the divorce, they were strangers.
"Sophia doesn't know the rules."
"This isn't fair."
Chloe Evans sighed.
"But it's her own fault."
"She chose this."
Liam lowered his gaze.
Responded with a noncommittal hum.
Chloe smirked, tightening her grip on his arm.
Her triumphant gaze slid back to the table.
Jessica cackled.
"Crimson Serpent, I admire your guts."
"Playing with these skills?"
"Wasting Amy's time."
She hadn't expected Sophia's hand to be this pathetic.
"Just forfeit already."
"Even the dead deserve some dignity."
Amy rested her chin on one hand, smiling.
"Enough talk about death. Bad luck."
"I've changed my mind."
Bullying a novice bored her.
"Crimson Serpent, if you lose again—"
"How about playing bowling with me?"
She tapped her crimson lips, smile widening.
Already imagining Sophia's face shattered by bowling balls.
"That last man was useless."
"Quit after two rounds."
"Pathetic."
Amy's grin held a viper's chill.
Those who understood the reference paled at "bowling."
It meant using heads as pins.
One misstep meant gruesome death.
"...Fine."
Sophia's brow twitched slightly.
As if unaware of the deadly implication.
She inhaled deeply.
"I didn't understand the rules earlier."
"I won't lose again."
Her forced composure drew more pitying shakes.
Poker was psychological warfare.
Sophia was an open book—an easy mark.
Julian Valentine reassessed her.
Had he misjudged?
Perhaps she was just a reckless fool.
Disappointment flickered in his cold eyes.
"President."
Wesley leaned in to whisper.
"Amy's undefeated here."
"Former casino operator in Southeast Asia."
"Skilled player."
Julian's tone remained flat.
Skilled, but emotionally transparent.
Her perfect record likely involved underworld methods.
Winners against her ended up dead.
She held no interest for him.
"First round concludes. Amy wins."
His quiet voice carried authority.
The chatter died instantly.
"Too easy."
"How dull."
Amy had lost all interest.
She gestured for vodka.
Bored, she watched the dealer shuffle.
She'd expected a challenge.
Got an idiot instead.
The second round began.
Three community cards dealt.
Sophia glanced up.
Amy's lips quirked briefly while checking her hand.
A tell.
She had something good.
Sophia peeked at her own cards.
Worse than the last round.
No possible straight.
No flush potential.
Even if the remaining cards gave her a pair—
Her odds against Amy were slim.
Best two out of three.
Losing this meant the end.
Yet Sophia's lips curved slightly.
A poorly suppressed smile.
Amy's eyes narrowed.
"Lady Crimson Serpent seems lucky tonight."