?Chapter 1453:


    The crowd went wild—inside the venue, online, everywhere exploding at once.


    The oue of that round was decided. Noah had won.


    The crowd’s faces were painted with disappointment, their murmurs thick with frustration as theyid the me squarely at Christina’s feet.


    “I told you she couldn’t pull it off! She insisted on going up there, and look what happened! She bet on herself and lost to Noah—humiliating our entire country!”


    “If I’d known she was going to lose like that, I would’ve gone up instead! Maybe I’m better than her. What was a woman even doing trying to show off like that? It’s downright embarrassing!”


    “You’re all brave now, running your mouths after the fact! Why didn’t any of you step up before the game started? You’ve got no right to me her now—cowards!”


    The noise wasn’t confined to the casino. Outside, the same arguments raged.


    And online, the debate had reached a fever pitch.


    “What was she even doing, still hiding her card? Noah already showed his—he had the highest one.”


    “Maybe she just picked random shreds and couldn’t piece together a full card, so she’s too ashamed to reveal it.”


    “The Miller family really messed this up. Letting her gamble was a mistake. If they lose the casino to Noah, they’ll have no one to me but themselves.”


    Noah leaned back with a smug grin and dered, “You lost. I have the Big Joker—the highest card there is.”


    “No,” Christina said quietly, her lips curving into a knowing smile. “You lost.”


    She lifted her hand slowly, revealing a perfectly reassembled Little Joker.


    Noah’s eyes widened, disbelief shing across his face. She had done it—pieced together an entire card from scattered shreds, and not just any card but the Little Joker.


    It was clear now that Christina possessed genuine talent in gambling—precise,posed, and sharp—though still a notch below his own mastery.


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    Noah’s fascination with her deepened, stirring an interest he hadn’t felt in years. He was almost certain that, among all the people he had ever met, she might be the one capable of staying by his side the longest.


    He resolved that, in time, he would personally guide her, honing her skill to perfection. The mere thought of ying against her again filled him with an unfamiliar thrill.


    For the first time, he found himself wondering—with rare, electric anticipation—if she might one day surpass him under his own tutge. Just the thought alone sent a rush of excitement through him.


    The crowd, meanwhile, was struck dumb. No one had expected Christina to actually pull together a full card, let alone the Little Joker.


    If Noah hadn’t drawn the Big Joker himself, she might have won outright.


    Those who had mocked her before now flushed with embarrassment.


    “Even if she lost, she was incredible! She stood her ground against Noah—how many people could even dream of doing that?”


    “Yeah, I take it back. She’s really good. If I were up there, I wouldn’t have managed half of what she did. She’s impressive—just unlucky this time.”


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