Noreen nced over and saw a young man, probably in his early twenties. He was still wearing a steward''s uniform, suggesting he was only on the cruise because he worked there.


    The pile of chips in front of him was pitifully small. His expression was strained; it was clear he hadn''t had much luck that night.


    The girl beside him, her eyes red, was clutching his hand. "Brother, let''s stop! If we lose again, we''ll have nothing left!"


    "I''m sure I''ll win this time. Trust me."


    "Brother..." the girl pleaded, her voice breaking into a sob.


    The man shoved her away and was about to ce his bet when Noreen walked


    over.


    She spoke softly, "From a mathematical perspective, each spin of the roulette wheel


    is an independent event. The probability of the 11th spin being red or ck is always the same. It''s not affected by past results."


    The girl seized the opportunity and snatched all the chips back.


    The next moment, the wheel spun. The man stared at it intently as it slowed to a stop.


    Red.


    It was red again.


    The man copsed to the floor as if all the strength had been drained from his body. The girl tearfully thanked Noreen. If it hadn''t been for her, they would have lost everything on that one bet. Not that their current situation was much better.


    This was a casino, after all. Noreen knew she couldn''t overstep, or she''d be messing with their business. She gave the girl a small nod and turned to leave.


    Suddenly, the man scrambled to his feet and called out to her, his voice urgent. "Then what should I bet on to win?"


    Noreen turned back and told him inly, "Don''t bet at all."


    "But I really need the money!"


    Noreen knew that. But she still advised, "There are no sure winners in gambling. You have to understand that in the long run, the house always wins."


    "Please, help me! I''m begging you."


    Noreen frowned, regretting that she had gotten involved.


    Even the girl came over and grabbed Noreen''s hand. "Miss, please help us."


    In the end, Noreen led them to the Texas Hold''em area. It was a yer-versus-yer game, where you could use math to calcte odds, pot equity, and bluffing frequency.


    Seth had taught her this method. It was how he had beaten the gambling king, Sage Joyner, all those years ago.


    As Seth used to say, true masters


    don''t


    calcyon luck; they rely on


    calcting pot odds and


    vel


    Probabilities to make the optimal decision.


    With Noreen''s help, the young man finally won a hand.


    The girl counted the chips and told him, "Brother, this is enough."


    But the man was already gearing up for another round.


    "Quit while you''re ahead," Noreen warned him.


    The man was clearly conflicted. "But my luck is so good right now. It''d be a waste to


    stop."


    It seemed her earlier words hadn''t sunk in at all.


    Well, you can lead a horse to water, but you can''t make it drink.


    Noreen said nothing more and turned to leave.


    The man hurried after her. "Wait, I didn''t even ask your name."


    Noreen didn''t answer and continued on her way. Suddenly, two men in ck suits stepped in front of her, blocking her path.


    One of them spoke. "Miss Gilmore, Mr. Joyner would like to see you."


    Though he was also a Mr. Joyner, it was clear this wasn''t Castle.


    When Noreen entered the private room, she found herself face to face with Sage Joyner. Though Sage was nearly fifty, he looked much younger, with a vibrant energy and a stylish way of dressing.


    What surprised Noreen even more was that Castle was there too.


    "Brother, inviting Miss Gilmore so abruptly might have frightened her," Castle said calmly from his seat on the sofa.


    Sage Joyner let out a heartyugh. "I was just curious to meet the famous Miss Gilmore for myself."