The line between life and death is razor-thin.
That fragile boundary can shatter a person's sanity.
"You've lost, Amy."
Sophia Sullivan's revolver gleamed coldly under the lights.
Smoke still curled from the barrel.
Amy lay sprawled on the floor, blood seeping from her shoulder.
Tremors wracked her body as sweat soaked through her dress.
Even her bandaged fingers began bleeding anew.
Sophia looked down at her without pity.
Amy had used these same cruel tactics against countless others.
She'd never imagined the tables would turn like this.
Sophia hadn't aimed for her head.
Not out of mercy.
She wouldn't dirty her hands with murder here.
Julian Valentine's men would handle the cleanup.
Amy struggled to rise, teeth gritted in defiance.
"Crimson Serpent, you framed me!"
True enough.
Sophia had orchestrated everything since the Texas Hold'em game.
Every move calculated.
Amy could have walked away after any of the three rounds.
Greed had clouded her judgment.
Before Amy could continue, the crowd erupted in outrage.
The truth exposed their fury.
"Gambling queen? More like cheating queen!"
"Making money through fraud—disgusting!"
"She deserves punishment!"
"With her connections to Mr. Valentine, losing fingers was lenient."
The murmurs swelled.
Two instances of cheating sealed Amy's fate.
No allies remained.
Even Wesley looked grim-faced.
He'd never expected such audacity.
Approaching Julian, Wesley murmured,
"According to protocol, cheaters get their legs broken before expulsion."
"Expulsion" merely meant keeping blood off the Underground City's floors.
No one survived long with shattered limbs outside.
Amy's eyes widened with realization.
Julian had held all her cards from the beginning.
Even her own subordinates had betrayed her.
This was always a trap.
Julian had wanted her gone all along.
The man was far more dangerous than he appeared.
Trembling with pain and rage, Amy spat blood.
"You planned this with that bitch, Julian."
Her voice cracked.
"But remember—I still control the Southeast Asia operations!"
Julian steepled his fingers calmly.
"Pity you'll never return. Many are searching for you."
He'd intended to absorb Amy's empire.
Sophia had simply accelerated his plans.
Amy gasped through the pain.
"Kill me, and you get nothing!"
Julian gave a slight nod.
Wesley signaled the guards.
"Take her out."
Black-suited men seized Amy's arms.
"No! You can't do this!"
Her nails scraped the gambling table's edge.
Injured and weakened, resistance was futile.
They dragged her away, leaving smeared blood trails.
A piercing scream soon echoed outside.
"My leg—!!!"
Silence gripped the casino.
The air thickened with copper and fear.
Sophia popped open the revolver's cylinder.
"Empty chamber. This round's a draw."
She dry-fired toward a safe direction.
The click rang sharply.
Julian's lips quirked in genuine amusement.
"First person to draw against me. I'll concede this win."
His tone turned businesslike. "Name your prize."
Both knew better than unreasonable demands.
Sophia considered briefly.
"We'll discuss it another time."
"The Underground City awaits."
A dealer approached bearing a black tray.
Upon it lay the gilded dagger, its blade crusted with dried blood.
Beside it rested the revolver.
"Shall we dispose of these, sir?"
The dealer hesitated.
The dagger was Julian's priceless personal weapon.
Instead, Julian gestured toward Sophia.
"Present both trophies to Crimson Serpent."