Wesley motioned for his men to step forward.
Two black-suited bodyguards immediately frisked Chloe Evans.
Only after confirming she carried no concealed items did they allow her near the gaming table.
"Sophia, it's been so long."
Chloe flashed a saccharine smile.
She deliberately softened her voice, affecting an air of innocence.
"Who knew we'd reunite here?"
She approached the table, batting her lashes.
"Liam and I had no idea you played cards."
Her tone dripped with faux admiration.
"Not like me—I'm only good for shopping with Liam."
She ducked her head in mock shyness.
"So I thought I'd try my luck today..."
Sophia Sullivan propped her chin on one hand and laughed.
"You dare play without knowing the rules?"
Chloe's smile froze.
Before she could retort, Sophia drawled,
"Seems Miss Amy's taste is questionable."
Amy shrugged indifferently.
"Just a million for fun."
She toyed with a poker chip.
"I can afford to lose—even to a fool."
Chloe's face darkened.
The double insult stung.
Sophia capped it with a dazzling smile.
"Good luck, Miss Evans."
Clenching her fists, Chloe swallowed her rage.
Only the crowd's presence stopped her from cursing aloud.
The dealer reshuffled under watchful eyes.
Cards fanned across the table.
The game began.
Players took turns flipping cards.
The pace was brisk. Though inexperienced, Chloe had beginner's luck—
Blindly drawing a pair.
Her lips curled in triumph.
"Seems fortune favors me today."
Amy performed spectacularly.
Three pairs in four rounds drew gasps.
Sophia, however, struggled.
Six rounds yielded nothing.
Jessica seized the chance to mock.
"Thought you were some hidden master."
She cackled.
"Turns out your memory's trash!"
Spectators murmured.
"How could Amy lose?"
"Too strong! Glad I didn't embarrass myself up there."
"Someone can't even get one pair!"
"Is Crimson Serpent acting again?"
Below the stage, Liam Winston clenched his fists.
His gaze kept trailing Sophia.
This was wrong.
He'd come to watch her fail.
Yet now he was more tense than anyone.
Would she lose?
His brow furrowed.
But Sophia remained unperturbed.
She kept flipping cards randomly—still no matches.
"Lady Luck's not with you today, Crimson Serpent."
Amy smirked as she revealed another pair.
She'd memorized every card.
Even marked some.
By the tenth round, she led six points to one.
Chloe played recklessly with someone else's money.
Her luck soon soured.
"Cards aren't my thing..."
After scoring once, she stalled.
Her chips dwindled fast.
"I'm out." She blinked innocently. "Shopping suits me better. Excuse me."
Her tone oozed smugness.
Ever since catching Liam seeking Sophia, she'd seethed.
But Sophia only smiled cryptically.
"No quitting mid-game."
Chloe scoffed.
"No chips means I can't—"
She turned to leave, but black-suited guards blocked her.
"Miss Amy, what's this?"
Chloe looked up, unease rising.
The redhead's voice was light.
"Don't know the rules?"
Chloe stiffened.
"What rules?"
"Once you sit, you don't leave."
Sophia's smile didn't reach her eyes.
"You play till you lose."
Amy clapped in agreement.
"Don't worry."
Her voice turned silky.
"I brought you in—I won't abandon you."
Her red lips curved.
"A million's nothing to lend."
Fools were easiest to control.
Amy wanted Chloe willing in her grasp.
Chloe paled.
"I forf—"
The word "feit" stuck in her throat.
She spotted the gun at a guard's waist.
And Amy's cruel smile.
Cold sweat drenched her back.
The redhead was a viper—using her from the start.