The hall was resplendent with gilded ceilings and crystal chandeliers,
A nist yed a soft, elegant tune, while women in dazzling dresses moved gracefully through the crowd, bncing cocktails <b>with </b>practiced
They weren’t here for the drinks or the music. They were here for the drama.
The ship had been sailing for a while, but entertainment had been in short supply.
A high–stakes solo duel like this was exactly the kind of excitement everyone had been craving. Not only could they bet on the oue<b>, </b><b>but </b><b>they </b>also <b>got </b>to witness a thrilling showdown firsthand, which, truthfully, was the whole point of this cruise.
In this world, casinos weren’t so different from those on Earth. The games might vary in style and rules, but they were much the same.
These pre–tournament showdowns were especially unpredictable. The game would be determined at random by a referee, and anything <b>could </b><b>happen </b>
Now, a professional in a dealer’s uniform stepped forward, carrying a roulette–style wheel etched with the names of various gambling games. Wherever the red pointernded, that would be the match format, best two out of three.
The rules were brutal–winner takes all.
The loser would not only forfeit their chips, but also their spot in the coveted top–hundred tournament.
The chips hit the table. The dealer pressed a glowing blue button. The pointer spun rapidly, ticking over each segment until it finally slowed and stopped on Roulette.
At the edge of the room, Simon sat alone at the bar, a ss of top–shelf liquor in hand. He eyed the wheel and gave a faint smile. Roulette was Mandy’s signature game.
She was a legend in Baykeep for a reason. Many had tried to beat her at roulette. Almost none had seeded.
It was a game that demanded more than luck. It required precision,
cold logic, and a mind that could calcte odds in <b>a </b>split second.
Still, even if she won, Simon wouldn’t be impressed. What drew him in wasn’t her skill. It was Shermaine, her wildness, the quiet<b>, </b>unshakable <b>arrogance </b>
in her eyes.
Looking at her wless skin, he could only imagine how soft she felt under the fingertips.
No woman in the Kingdom of Xyperia could hold a candle to her, not even the most sought–after starlets.
Even if she lost, he still wanted her.
Mandy’s eyes lingered on the wheel as her lips pulled into a faint, knowing smirk.
Shermaine hadnded squarely on the one game Mandy was born to y.
Shermaine remained unreadable, but her brows pinched slightly. Something felt off in her chest<b>, </b>tight and ufortable.
Her body was producing too much milk, and Gracie wasn’t drinking enough.
Her dress was snug, and the pressure in her chest was building.
It ached, distracting, but manageable. It wouldn’t throw her off.
“If there are no objections, we’ll begin,” the dealer announced.
“None here,” Mandy said coolly.
Chapter <b>459 </b>
Shermaine exhaledzily. “Let’s get started.”
Meanwhile, Jasmine had just gone all <b>in</b><b>, </b>staking her entire fortune on Shermaine.
She <b>nced </b><b>at </b>the online betting pool and let out a short. Most people had wagereti on Mandy.
She grinned to herself, thinking, ‘Idiots. This is going to be the payday of a lifetime. Just wait. You’re all going to lose your <b>shirts</b><b>! </b>
The dealer moved with swift precision. He picked up a polished metal cup and, with a single deft motion, scooped an uncounted <b>handful </b>of white ch from the pile. He then covered them without pause, sealing the contents from view.
It was time for the yers to ce
eir
bets.
In this version of roulette, there were no te
Each round was decisive. Win, or move on to
“ce your bets,” the dealer said evenly.
Both Shermaine and Mandy slid their chips forward, each choosing the number four.
The dealer lifted the cup and revealed the chips.
It was four, no change in momentum.
Without hesitation, the dealer repeated the process. This time, both women ced their bets on the number two.
Again, the result was two. Another draw.
They yed a third round, each wagering on the number three.
The result was three again.
Whispers began to ripple through the crowd. Those who had dismissed Shermaine as a fluke now found themselves questioning their assumptions.
Mandy narrowed her eyes slightly but made noment.
In her mind, anypetitor unable to challenge her over
multiple rounds had no business being in the top hundred.
Still, the game went on. What had begun as a straightforward gamble was now unfolding into a test of focus and endurance, each round chipping away at their mental reserves.
Spectators found themselves growing weary just watching. Their eyes strained <i>to </i>follow each movement, but still, neither yer had imed the lead. Then finally, a shift.
Shermaine ced her chips on the number one, and Mandy chose two.
It was the first time they had diverged.
The energy in the room changed instantly. Anticipation crackled through the air.
For the first time all night, the oue would not be a draw. A winner would be dered.
Meanwhile, the betting pool online began to fluctuate wildly.
Many spectators hesitated.
Shermaine’s track record wasn’t impressive, but the odds attached to her name promised enormous returns. The risk was <b>obvious</b><b>, </b><b>but </b>so was <b>the </b>reward.
<b>23:15 </b>Sat, <b>5 </b>Jul
Mandy, on the other hand, remained the safer choice. Her win rate was consistent, her payout modest.
Predictably, the majority continued to back her, unwilling to risk too much for the sake of a bigger prize.
“All right, let’s see it!” someone shouted from the crowd.
The dealer lifted the golden cup and began to uncover the chips.
Mandy satposed and confident.
She reached for her drink and took a slow sip, never breaking her gaze from the table.
She was tired, perhaps, but she wouldn’t let it show.
In her mind, the oue was certain.
But when the dealer read the result, her expression faltered.
“One point,” he announced. “Winner–Shermaine.”
A wave of disbelief swept through the spectators. Online forums lit up withints and curses.
Meanwhile, those who had bet on Shermaine were celebrating with unrestrained joy.
She remained perfectly calm. She had gone all in on herself, and she had never once considered losing. Failure would have meant no Xyperia tokens and no way to give Gracie the life she deserved.
On her Orthish ount, she watched her tokens double in value.
A flicker of satisfaction crossed her face.
She arched a brow, leaned forward, and with an effortless sweep, pulled all the chips to her side of the table. “Appreciate the donation.”