A mischievous glint flashed in Amy's eyes.
Her gaze lingered on Sophia Sullivan's slender, well-defined hands.
"Crimson Serpent, if you keep losing, you won't even afford the interest."
Her lips curled into a smirk.
"You'll drag Mr. Sullivan down with you."
Her stare dripped with undisguised challenge.
"Why not wager those pretty hands? Half the debt, gone."
Her tone was casual.
Yet laced with venom.
Those targeted by Amy never walked away unscathed.
Sophia tilted her head slightly.
"Just a pair of hands."
Her voice remained steady.
"I accept."
Her fingertips tapped the table.
"For fairness' sake."
Sophia locked eyes with Amy.
"Yours go on the table too."
Her words rang clear.
"If you lose."
She enunciated each syllable.
"I'll collect them myself."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
All eyes darted to the scoreboard.
Amy's team led by a landslide.
The Crimson Serpent had lost her mind!
Julian Valentine arched a brow.
He signaled Wesley.
"Redraft the contract."
Wesley bowed and complied.
The new agreement soon graced the table.
Amy signed with flourish.
"I adore collecting beautiful hands."
Her smile turned predatory.
"Can't wait to display them in crystal."
Sophia remained impassive.
As she reached for the pen—
A large hand covered her wrist.
"I'll sign."
Ethan Sullivan stepped between them.
"You focus on winning."
Light glinted off his rolled-up sleeves.
Revealing strong, capable fingers.
Sophia met his fathomless gaze.
Her pulse stuttered.
"Save the sweet talk for the hospital bed."
Amy sneered.
Ethan turned slowly.
His pupils darkened.
"I've always preferred."
His voice dropped an octave.
"Root and stem extermination."
The air turned glacial.
Sophia grasped his hand.
"Don't worry, Mr. Sullivan."
Her touch radiated warmth.
"I won't lose."
This time, she didn't let go.
"I'll sign my own bets."
She scrawled her name decisively.
Ethan added his beside it.
"I believe in you."
He murmured.
"Till death do us part."
Chloe Evans dug nails into her palm.
Forcing tears to surface.
"Sophia... I'm sorry."
Her voice quivered.
Sophia ignored her completely.
Chloe stepped forward—
A playing card whizzed through air.
Slicing her hand open.
Blood welled instantly.
"Control your limbs."
Ethan's voice could freeze hell.
"Next time won't be a warning."
Chloe stood paralyzed.
As if plunged into ice.
She looked to Liam Winston.
He kept his eyes downcast.
Biting her lip, Chloe retreated to Amy's side.
Silently vowing revenge.
After tonight—
These two would pay dearly.
Whispers circulated among spectators.
"Mr. Sullivan dominates boardrooms, but gambling?"
"Crimson Serpent's doomed. How can he protect her?"
"Such a waste of perfect hands..."
"Remember what Amy did last time?"
The crowd hushed.
Jessica Lopez crossed her arms.
"Serves them right."
Wesley fretted.
"Sir, if Amy targets Mr. Sullivan's people—"
Julian toyed with poker chips.
Smiling in silence.