Dark flames flickered in Amy's obsidian eyes.
She glared at Crimson Serpent with unbridled fury.
"Crimson Serpent, you're quite the strategist."
The previous round had been a classic wolf in sheep's clothing.
Julian Valentine's lips curved slightly.
Now he understood the familiarity he'd sensed upon their first meeting.
Crimson Serpent was a true gambler at heart.
First, she'd masqueraded as a novice.
Then she'd risked 80 million on a single reckless bet.
Such audacity was rare even among seasoned players.
And madness, after all, was the essence of gambling.
Amusement glinted in Julian's eyes.
"Round two goes to Crimson Serpent."
The silent room erupted in murmurs.
"Incredible! I've never seen such bold play!"
"When the community cards flipped, I nearly fainted. Did she predict Amy would fold?"
"Pure luck if you ask me."
The chatter died instantly as Julian rose.
His polished black Oxfords clicked against marble with deliberate menace.
"Final round. Are both players ready?"
Sophia Sullivan smirked. "Begin."
"Wait!" Amy interrupted sharply. "President, my Texas Hold'em luck's run cold tonight. May we switch games?"
Her gaze locked onto Sophia with calculated intensity.
"Something... less dependent on chance. More reliant on intellect."
Julian turned to Sophia. "Crimson Serpent's thoughts?"
Sophia shrugged. "Indifferent."
Trained as an assassin since childhood, she'd infiltrated countless casinos under various aliases.
This scenario was child's play.
Amy snapped her fingers.
Attendants promptly delivered three fresh decks.
"Simple rules."
She expertly removed the jokers.
"156 cards remain."
Amy handed the stack to the dealer.
"They'll be shuffled randomly."
"We'll take turns flipping two cards each."
"Match both suit and number, score one point."
The dealer's hands blurred as cards fanned across the table face-down.
"Each flip requires a 1 million ante."
"Failed matches contribute to the pot."
Amy stepped into Sophia's personal space.
Tension crackled between them like static.
"Highest scorer claims victory—and the entire pot."
Sophia drained her champagne flute. "Agreed."
Texas Hold'em balanced luck against nerve.
While she embraced risk, victory wasn't guaranteed.
But Amy's proposed game? Ninety percent memory.
Sophia possessed eidetic recall.
She'd never once misremembered details about her mother.
"Finally dropping the act, Crimson Serpent?"
Amy's smirk faltered at Sophia's unshakable composure.
"Your performance earlier was Oscar-worthy."
Sophia blinked innocently. "Acting? I genuinely thought my high card beat yours."
Amy's manicured nails trembled with suppressed rage.
How she longed to claw that infuriating smile to shreds.