?Chapter 1442:


    His mockery burned through the room, setting tempers alight—but no one spoke.


    They all knew his reputation. Noah wasn’t someone ordinary gamblers could even touch. To challenge him would only invite humiliation—and worse, it’d make Apresh a global joke.


    Christina, however, didn’t flinch. She smiled faintly, her voice cool and steady. “Why bother bringing a crowd?” she said. “Just me. That’s all it’ll take to beat you. The real geniuses of Apresh are busy building the country. They don’t waste time entertaining arrogant tourists.”


    The room went dead silent. Then came the gasps.


    “Did she just—”


    Her words seemed to speak their mind, but she came off as overly arrogant.


    Noah’s exceptional skill in gambling was proven beyond doubt. How could she, a woman, im she could take him on alone?


    “Is she out of her mind? She’s actually challenging Noah? She’s talented, sure, but this is gambling! Noah’s unbeatable!”


    “She’s gonna drag all of us down with her. If she loses, Apresh bes the world’s punchline.”


    “She’s good at a lot of things, but she can’t seriously think she’s good at everything! This is a casino! Does she know how to gamble? Can she even read the cards?”


    Some sneered, some frowned, others whispered furiously under their breath. To them, her words weren’t courage—they were recklessness.


    If she failed, they’d all bear the humiliation.


    The idea that a woman might be the one to drag their country’s name through the mud only made their anger burn hotter.


    Dozens of eyes turned on Christina, full of scorn and frustration. Some looked at her like she was reckless; others like she was a disgrace.


    Most stood there, jaws clenched and fists tight, too furious or too afraid to speak up.


    But not everyone joined the mob. A handful of her loyal supporters pushed back, voices rising above the tension.


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    “If you think you can do better, then step up!” one of them snapped. “Otherwise, keep your mouths shut! Christina’s proved herself time and time again. She’s pulled off miracles before—and she’ll do it again!”


    “Go, Christina! You’ve got this! You’re our hero! Show them what Apresh is made of!”


    “Yeah, Christina! You’ve got this!”


    Her small group of fans erupted into cheers, voices rising higher with each chant. Their excitement burned bright, raw, and unfiltered.


    But the rest of the crowd wasn’t sharing the enthusiasm. Embarrassed, people began stepping back, worried that the foreign media would capture the scene and turn them into an international joke.


    To them, the supporters looked like blind worshippers—too caught up in their idol to see reason. They thought Christina’s fans were being ridiculous, cheering for a woman who might not even follow through with her own challenge.


    Noah looked amused, ncingzily at the chanting crowd. “I didn’t expect you’d have that many fans,” he said, smirking.


    “There are a lot of things you wouldn’t expect,” Christina replied coolly. “Now, tell me—what are your terms?”


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