Julian Valentine remained expressionless.
His voice was calm and measured.
"The Underground City has made countless enemies."
Wesley Evans responded respectfully.
Julian leaned back on the sofa.
He crossed his legs, his face impassive.
Yet ripples stirred beneath his composed surface.
The Crimson Serpent appeared frivolous and arrogant.
But her gaze was sharp as a blade.
She observed the card game with calculated precision.
Step by step, she led Amy into her trap.
This unspoken understanding was difficult to articulate.
It was the unique telepathy between seasoned gamblers.
Sophia Sullivan remained unaware of his thoughts.
She lifted her gaze to meet Ethan Sullivan's.
Her voice was soft yet distinct.
"Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Sullivan."
They stood close enough.
Her warm breath brushed his ear.
Ethan's Adam's apple bobbed slightly.
He responded with a low, husky acknowledgment.
Their synergy was well-established.
Ethan knew Sophia never made a move without certainty.
The crystal chandelier cast prismatic light.
He leaned against the table's edge, suppressing turbulent emotions.
The game continued.
Amy appeared relaxed.
Her early lead gave her confidence.
She successfully matched three consecutive pairs.
Chloe Evans followed instructions obediently.
She simpered ingratiatingly.
"All thanks to Amy for helping me win."
She understood her role as a pawn.
Recovering her losses was fortune enough.
Chloe felt pleased with herself.
Until she looked across the table.
Her smile froze.
Horror filled her eyes.
"How could they match every single one?"
Amy also shed her languid demeanor.
Her frown deepened with each passing round.
After three turns.
Sophia and Ethan had revealed twelve cards.
Every single one formed perfect pairs.
Their score surged by six points.
Amy set down her glass.
"Does she really have photographic memory?"
It seemed impossible.
Even with exceptional recall, no one achieved perfection.
Especially with rigged decks.
She alone should control the game's flow.
Chloe forced composure.
"Maybe it's just beginner's luck."
She repeated the mantra to herself.
The game wasn't over yet.
"Only twenty rounds in. They're still behind by double digits."
Her words didn't ease Amy's doubts.
As a veteran, she recognized Sophia's tactics.
This woman specialized in late-game reversals.
But the point gap remained substantial.
One mistake from Sophia could shift the tide.
"Focus," Amy snapped.
Chloe nodded hastily.
Over the next dozen rounds.
Sophia and Ethan maintained flawless accuracy.
Their precision was uncanny.
Meanwhile, Amy's team faltered repeatedly.
Sophia intercepted crucial pairs.
Even claiming key cards before Amy could react.
Disrupting her entire strategy.
"I'm sorry, Amy. I messed up."
Chloe's voice trembled.
Memorization wasn't her strength.
Sophia's relentless advance heightened her anxiety.
Nerves bred more mistakes.
Amy's eyes darkened dangerously.
"Useless! One more error and you'll regret it."
She regretted choosing this incompetent fool.
Their lead had evaporated entirely.
"I'll do better!"
Chloe held her breath in fear.
She'd been pampered all her life.
Never subjected to such threats.
But against the crimson-haired demon, she could only submit.
As remaining cards dwindled.
The tied score drew gasps from spectators.
"Amy's advantage gone? Is the Serpent winning?"
"Should've bet on her! Those odds were insane!"
"Don't jinx it! Amy's the casino legend!"
Amy's turn arrived.
She stood at the table's edge, face stormy.
Another successful match.
Yet no triumph showed.
Sophia and Ethan worked seamlessly, outpacing her.
Now everything hinged on Sophia's memory failing.
"Amy scores one point."
The dealer announced loudly.
Then gestured to Sophia.
"Your turn."
Sophia's movements suddenly slowed.
Her brows furrowed in apparent hesitation.
As if wrestling with a difficult choice.
Chloe swallowed hard.
Praying silently.
Let her be wrong this time!