On thest night of the cruise, Noreen was soaking in the tub on her balcony, enjoying the sea breeze.


    The sea was unusually calm. Under the high moon, the night sky was not an endless ck but a soft, deep blue. The stars over the ocean were truly beautiful.


    The atmosphere was just right... until the sound of a couple arguing from the deck below shattered the peace.


    The woman seemed to be begging the man not to gamble away all their money. But the man insisted he had no choice. If they couldn''t raise the money for the surgery, the director of their orphanage wouldn''t live to see next week.


    From their conversation, Noreen pieced together the situation. They weren''t a couple, but two young adults who had grown up together in an orphanage. They were desperate for money to pay for the medical bills of the woman who had raised


    them, and the man had decided to risk it all at the ship''s casino.


    Noreen never found out what happened next, as their voices faded into the distance.


    She soaked for a little longer before heading back into her room.


    Sophia knocked and came in, asking if she wanted to go downstairs for a bit. She pointed out that Noreen hadn''t really had a chance to enjoy the trip.


    For once, Noreen had some free time. Katy was with her therapist for a hypnosis session and wouldn''t being over, so she agreed to go downstairs with Sophia.


    When Noreen arrived at the open-air party, everyone else was already there. And they all had a strange, excited look on their faces. The way they looked at her was full of anticipation. But when she tried to meet their gazes, they all looked away.


    "Ms. Gilmore, have a seat here. This spot is perfect."


    Someone specially cleared a seat for her.


    Noreen smiled. "Perfect for what?"


    "Oh, nothing," the person mumbled, bing vague.


    Noreen grew more puzzled. She scanned the crowd and noticed someone was missing: Carman Holt.


    Just as she was about to ask, she saw a small stage directly in front of her. It was borately decorated. It looked like ** a marriage proposal Or a publie confession of love?


    Noreen''s heart skipped a beat. She had a sinking feeling she knew what was going on. Taking a sip of her water, she began plotting her escape from the awkward situation.


    Before Carman could appear, she stood up and said she needed to use the restroom Sophia offered to go with her, but Noreen waved her off. "I''ll be right back. You don''t need toe."


    She knew Sophia was worried about her safety. But after the incident with Sue, Castle had quintupled the security on board. No one would dare try anything now.


    Sophia knew this too, so she didn''t insist.


    Noreen made her escape. She had intended to go back to her room, but she figured since she was already out, she might as well explore a little and not let the trip go to waste.


    The cruise ship''s nightlife was vibrant, with bars, lounges, an arcade, and a casino.


    As she wandered towards the casino, the conversation she''d overheard earlier came back to her.


    She decided to go inside.


    Here, gambling was legal. For many people, the chance to strike it rich overnight was the whole point of being on this cruise. It was also the ship''s most profitable enterprise.


    The interior was a dizzying mix of shing lights and opulence. Thevish decor was designed to make people lose themselves There no windows, no clocks-only bright, day-like lighting that made you forget the passage of time.


    Noreen wasn''t interested in gambling; she was just looking around. As she passed a roulette table, she heard a familiar voice.


    "It''snded on red ten times in a row. The eleventh time has to be ck! I''m betting everything!"