Ivanka pursed her lips.She was not afraid to drink, but she did not like the sharp scent of alcohol.It reminded her of the times when Michael would rather attend endless business dinners than come home to face her. It brought back memories of the vulnerable and downtrodden person she once was.As she prepared to decline politely, Michael stepped in and took the glass from the man. “She doesn’t drink. I’ll take this one for her.”Since Michael had said that, Ivanka could only manage an awkward smile.The man was not pleased, but he could not push the issue with so many eyes on them.If word got out that he was being petty at Kingzillion Casino and bullying a woman because he could not handle losing, his reputation would be in tatters.“All right, if you want to drink for Ms. Lane, that’s fine too. Here’s to you.As he said that, he raised his glass toward Michael before downing it in one go.Michael followed suit without hesitation.Meanwhile, the masked man crossed his arms
As soon as the man said those words, the onlookers turned the scene. They seemed more nervous than the three people at the table.However, in truth, the only one feeling nervous was the man.Michael and Ivanka had already won too much. If he lost again, it would not just be a blow to his pride, but his very life could be at risk.Therefore, the man was desperate to turn the tide.In contrast to his anxiousness and desperation, Ivanka and Michael remained calm and composed. Ivanka had already won a significant amount, so losing some of it would not matter. It was all winnings anyway.Michael’s true intentions were far from the game itself. His interest in the outcome of this gamble was secondary to the real reason he was here.However, right now, this game had not yet played out the way he intended.“Iv.”Michael’s sudden call caught Ivanka off guard. However, mindful of the audience, she quickly composed herself and suppressed her emotions. Even the man at the head of the tab
Michael coldly made his stance clear. At the same time, he told Ivanka to leave with him.Ivanka was a little stunned.Weren’t they supposed to keep going until they became public enemies? Was he really pulling back now?“Wait, you two lucky charms! We haven’t even had the chance to place our bets with you yet. Why are you leaving? Kingzillion Casino isn’t run by Jackie alone. If he can’t handle losing, others here can!”As Michael was about to lead Ivanka away, someone quickly stepped out from the crowd and tried to stop them.“Yes, stick around and share some of that good luck with us! Let us shake off the slump we’ve been in at Kingzillion Casino and finally get a win!”“That’s right!”...The crowd around Michael and Ivanka was filled with a mix of admiration and envy. Of course, they came out of their own accord to surround Michael and Ivanka because they were hoping to ride the wave of their fortune to win some money.After all, many of them had gambled away everything t
“Haha! Thanks to these two, I finally had a winning streak at Kingzillion Casino!”A voice suddenly erupted from the crowd and interrupted Ivanka’s train of thought.A plump man was waving his chips in the air. However, within seconds, people around him pulled him back.“You must be crazy. Their luck could just as easily turn around. Sure, we’ve won some money thanks to them, but we should quit while we’re ahead. Do you really think they’ll be able to leave Kingzillion Casino with all that cash?”The words hit the man like a cold splash of water and snapped him out of his euphoria.Ivanka, who was standing nearby, heard their conversation clearly despite their attempts to whisper.Soon, the onlookers began to disperse.Soon, the area around the table was almost empty. Only Ivanka, Michael, Evan, and Kingzillion Casino’s men remained.Bert, still seething from the kick Michael had given him and the forced apology by Jackie, made no effort to hide his disdain for Ivanka. The murd
“Turn around.”It was a command.It immediately put Michael on high alert.The sudden demand made Michael instinctively step forward and position himself in front of Ivanka.He did not know what the casino boss had in mind, but there was no way he was going to let anything happen to Ivanka right under his nose.“How may I address you, sir?”Michael pursed his lips and questioned as he attempted to divert the conversation.Ivanka understood what he was trying to do, but she could not help finding it ironic.He was being protective. She had never experienced this from him before. Why the sudden concern? “Sir, I apologize for my earlier staring. I meant no offense. I was just surprised that the owner of Kingzillion Casino is simply a middle-aged man.”Ivanka met the man’s eyes and calmly explained herself.The middle-aged man listened to Ivanka’s words and could not help but take a closer look at her.There was a flash of surprise in his eyes.Ivanka’s expression and feature
The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes and snorted. The hint of mockery on his lips was rather obvious.It had been so many years since he founded Kingzillion Casino. It was the first time someone talked to him in that manner. Besides, Michael and Ivanka were basically little kids to him!“Not quite a threat. But since we came prepared, we’ll make sure we get to leave here unscathed,” Michael said somberly. He looked the man in the eye, undaunted.The casino did not allow them to take the money they won and refused to help them out either. Ivanka thought that the man before them was dangerous.“Then, what should we do to convince you to let us go? I think the money we won is worth a request: you have to promise to play fair during the auction. Don’t you think so?“Although it’s money we got from the casino, we still won it fair and square. We’ve come to discuss this matter with you in good faith. If this negotiation falls apart, your reputation will be impacted as well.”Ivanka pu
“Sure.”The middle-aged man accepted Ivanka’s invitation.“We’ll decide the time and place after the auction ends.”Ivanka smiled and replied, “Okay.”“We shall take our leave now.”Michael nodded to the man and left the casino with Ivanka.As soon as they left, Njord turned to his boss with confusion. “Boss, they crossed the line. Are we going to let them go just like that? Darko has been acting weird too. It usually barks at strangers. Why was it so quiet in front of those two?”If Njord had not brought this up, the man would never have noticed this detail.He could not help thinking about Ivanka and suddenly realized that dogs would never behave erratically around people they spent time with and regarded as their family.Was Ivanka related to the woman from his past?“Njord, run a background check on those two, especially the young lady. I want to know everything about her!”Hearing his boss’ abrupt order, Njord was very surprised. “Boss, what about her? I can tell you’re
“What makes you think they are delusional, rather than taking a gamble? Let’s not look down on Michael and Ivanka. They are no fools.” There was a hint of coldness on his smile as he refuted the woman.The woman immediately burst out laughing. “Gamble? Well, if they die, what else can they do with it?”As she spoke, a murderous look flashed in her eyes.She then revealed her plan. “Ivanka will die during the auction. Imagine how delighted she would be, when she thought she could get what she wanted. I want her to die just as painfully.”The woman was very determined about this.“You’d better forget it! Her death will not benefit you. Besides, what makes you assume you’ll succeed?” As soon as the man heard her plan, he frowned in disapproval.He believed that the auction must go off, or else they would not get the Ganoderma nebula. If so, he would not be able to hurt Michael and make him suffer.But the woman turned toward the window and did not listen to the man. She had her own