Amy's delicate face drained of color instantly.
Her fingers trembled as she stared at Julian Valentine.
"You bribed my people?"
Julian toyed with the chips in his hand.
"The process doesn't matter."
His gaze sharpened like a blade when he looked up.
"Only the outcome does."
A flurry of footsteps suddenly echoed through the casino.
Amy's eyes widened in horror as she watched her trusted subordinates—stationed throughout the casino—being dragged in, their arms twisted behind their backs by black-clad men.
"President!" Amy's voice shook. "I've served The Underground City for years—"
She tried to steady herself, nails digging deep into her palms.
Jessica rushed to her defense. "Those cards went through triple inspections—"
A sharp slap cut her off.
Wesley withdrew his hand, his expression icy.
"One more word, and you'll be thrown into the arena."
Jessica collapsed to the floor, a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth.
She suddenly lunged toward Sophia Sullivan's feet.
"Miss Crimson Serpent! I was blind—"
Sophia sidestepped gracefully.
Jessica crashed into a pile of chips, her jewelry scattering across the floor.
"Take her out."
Before Julian finished speaking, two guards already hauled Jessica up.
The casino doors slammed shut behind them.
Only the sound of rolling chips remained in the heavy silence.
Wesley dropped to one knee.
"I failed in my duty."
He presented a custom dagger with both hands.
"By the rules, cheaters lose a finger."
Sophia tapped the floor with her stiletto.
"That's too lenient."
She strode toward the pale-faced Amy.
"If you dared to mark the cards—"
Her fingers brushed the specially designed deck.
"—then you should forfeit the entire hand."
Amy overturned the gambling table with a furious shove.
"You set me up!"
She suddenly drew a compact pistol from her skirt.
The bullet shattered a crystal chandelier instead.
Julian had already seized her wrist at some point.
The crack of bone was unmistakable.
"The Underground City's rules."
He crushed the gun in his grip.
"No one gets an exception."