Chapter 443


    The air grew tense as Buckminster’s words hung in the air. A collective shiver ran through the crowd,


    their expressions turning grim and uneasy.


    Engaged in a game, were we?


    This was a deadly game!


    In this critical moment, the truth became crystal clear to everyone. Buckminster was anything but the


    amiable and kind-hearted persona he portrayed. He was a cunning predator, wearing a crooked smile


    that concealed his true nature. His every word was deceit, leaving no room for trust. Only a fool would


    be swayed by his empty promises.


    Buckminster’s eyes scanned the room, a sly grin spreading across his face. “I reckon it’s time for a little


    game. Who’s got the nerve to join me in a round of ckjack?”


    With those words, he strode confidently toward a gambling table, sitting and preparing himself for the


    challenge ahead. Fletcher stepped forward, standing behind Buckminster with an exhrated


    expression.


    N?velDrama.Org owns all content.


    A tense silence settled over the room as everyone exchanged wary nces, their faces marked with


    fear and uncertainty. No one dared to step forward, unwilling to take on the ominous task before them.


    “Hey, what’s the deal with you all? We were having a st a moment ago, and now none of you have


    the guts to y. You think you’re too good for Mr. Payne?” Fletcher snapped in anger.


    A hush fell over the crowd, their silence growing even more profound.


    Nobody dared to be the first to take a stand in such a critical moment.


    Being wealthy individuals, they cherished their lives significantly.


    Buckminster and Fletcher emitted an air of brutality and sheer terror, making it clear that engaging in


    any game with them would risk their lives and potentially leave them with half a soul to lose.


    “Seems like none of you have the guts to step up, huh? Well, that suits me just fine. I’ve got a little list


    right here, and we’ll be ying by the game’s rules.”


    “You see, out here in the vast expanse of the open sea, your regr security team and mercenary


    group won’te to your rescue anytime soon.”


    “We’ve got all the time in the world to have ourselves a little fun”


    With a grin spreading across his face. Buckminster produced a list and studied it intently.


    The assembled crowd’s countenances darkened, their hearts plunging into the abyss.


    The presence of a list meant there would be no escape for any of them.


    Buckminster’s eyes scanned the list, a cunning smile curling at the corners of his mouth. “Well, well,


    well, this name is interesting. Same surname as mine, but with a slight twist. Emmett Tucker, you must


    be the wealthiest magnate from Mchia, right?”


    “Step right up. Mr. Tucker.”


    As he spoke, his gaze swept across everyone in the casino. “We don’t just have a list, folks. We’ve got


    pictures too. Mr. Tucker, there’s no escaping for you in this casino. I suggest you stand up tall and firm.”


    His voice, though soft, resonated with an extraordinary rity that pierced through the air, reaching the


    ears of every individual in the room.


    Amid the crowd, an elderly gentleman in his sixties stood up, his eyes wide with fear and a faint quiver


    in his frame. Sporting a pair of gold-rimmed spectacles, his fair skin and elegant attire added to his


    distinguished appearance, exuding an energy that conveyed his elevated status among the crowd.


    Despite approaching the age of sixty, his countenance boasted a rosy hue, his hair a lustrous ck, all


    thanks to the diligent application of medications and traditional medicine.


    His eyes flickered with dread and apprehension at that precise moment, his body quivering involuntarily


    as fear took hold of him.


    “Emmett, huh? Well, why don’t you mosey on over here and have yourself a seat, Buckminster grinned.


    Ent’s gaze filled with terror, his legs engaged in a futile battle, leaving himpletely paralyzed


    and unable to make a single move.


    “Utterly worthless!”


    Fletcher approached and firmly grasped Emmett with a determined stride, lifting him off the ground like


    an eagle snatching


    its prey. Swiftly, he marched toward the gambling table where Buckminster sat, forcefully mming


    Emmett onto the table in front of Buckminster.


    “Well, now, Mr. Tucker, we share a couple of letters in our names. That tells me we must have been


    kinfolk five hundred years ago.”


    Buckminster produced an adult game, ced it on the table, and pushed it toward Emmett. “Seeing as


    we’re all part of the same family, how about you take the dealer’s chair for a ckjack game?”


    “Time to take charge and deal the cards.”


    “Buckminster, since we’re all part of the same family, so let’s have ourselves a straight talk. You name


    the price, and I’ll hand it over to you without a fuss. No need to y me for a fool, you hear?” Emmett’s


    voice trembled as he spoke.


    “Listen here. We may be family, but rules bind us. It wouldn’t be right to take your money, for that would


    make us no better than a band of thieves.”


    Buckminster’s expression remainedposed as he chuckled. “Well, now, it appears we’ll have to


    settle this matter on the gambling table, where the fate of wealth is determined, wouldn’t you agree?”


    BANG!


    Fletcher’s hand mmed onto the gambling table, his voicemanding as he rebuked, “Enough with


    the idle chatter! If Mr. Payne wishes to engage with you, consider it a mark of respect. Now, deal the


    cards promptly, or don’t be surprised if I show you no courtesy!”


    “Quit wasting time!”


    His voice boomed like rolling thunder, shaking Emmett to the core and making his whole body quiver


    with fear.


    Emmett, now too afraid to say another word, hastened to shuffle and deal the cards, distributing them


    to Buckminster and himself.


    Without ncing at his cards, Buckminster spoke up, “Given your seniority, I’ll address you as Mr.


    Tucker. We had an understanding, didn’t we? If you happen to lose, your assets be mine.”


    “If Ie out on top, will you honor your word and set me free? Emmett questioned.


    “Sure thing, I always keep my promises,” Buckminster nodded firmly.


    A broad grin spread across Emmett’s face, his delight evident.


    Such words offered him a lifeline, a sliver of hope amidst the uncertainty.


    With the cards dealt, he gingerly picked up those two cards from the adult game, feeling their weight as


    if they were heavier than a mountain. His hand trembled uncontrobly, filled with fear and anticipation,


    while his heart pounded like thunder. His hands sweated with nervousness, his heart threatening to


    burst from his chest as it pounded relentlessly.


    “It must be a winning hand, without a doubt!”


    Emmett uttered a silent prayer in his mind, then clenched his teeth as he reached for the deck of cards


    and nced at his


    hand.


    Upon taking a look, his eyes widened in disbelief. A wide grin spread across his face as he burst into


    raucousughter, triumphantly flipping the two cards open and mming them onto the table. “Haha! I


    won! I’ve won!”


    All eyes turned toward his hand, revealing an Ace and a King, the ssic pair for a perfect ckjack.


    Adding to his stroke of luck, he was also the dealer, ensuring his triumph in this very round!


    Buckminster cast a nce at Emmett’s cards, then without even bothering to look at his own, he broke


    into apuse and chuckled. “Well done, you’ve won.”


    Emmett gazed at Buckminster, his eyes brimming with hope. “Does that mean I can go?”


    Buckminster nodded affirmatively andmanded, “You’re free to leave. Make way for Mr. Tucker!”


    With hismanding voice, the mercenaries stationed at the main gate swiftly yielded, clearing a path


    before them.


    “Much obliged, Mr. Payne! Much obliged, Mr. Payne!”


    Emmett, ovee with exhration, didn’t waste a moment as he burst out of the scene with


    uncontainable delight.


    However, as he made a break for the exit, Fletcher swiftly produced a revolver, pointing it directly at the


    back of Emmett’s head, his finger tightening around the trigger.


    BANGI


    The gunshot crack echoed through the air, and in an instant, his head erupted in a gruesome blossom.


    He crumpled to the ground, lifeless and beyond salvation.


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    Even in death, his eyes remained wide open, staring in disbelief, unable toprehend the tragic end


    that had befallen him.


    “Apologies, Mr. Tucker, Buckminsterughed. “I promised to let you walk away, but mypanion,


    Fletcher, seems to have a different idea.”


    Josef, Sharvin, and the rest of the onlookers watched in horror as their hearts plummeted to despair.


    Now, they were utterly confounded, unable to fathom the true intentions of Buckminster.


    If this man had any intentions of acquiring wealth, it didn’t make sense for him to end Emmett’s life


    ruthlessly. After all, by doing so, they would be deprived of any chance to im their assets.


    However, against all expectations, Buckminster eliminated the wealthiest magnate from Mchia.


    What on earth were their intentions?


    All eyes were fixated on Buckminster, their expressions reflecting a mix of curiosity and uncertainty. His


    enigmatic demeanor left them pondering, unable to truly grasp his motives.


    “Alright, let’s go through the roll call once more.”


    Buckminster’s


    ‘s expression remainedposed as he gestured for others to carry Emmett’s lifeless body away.


    Holding the list in his hand, he spoke in a steady tone, “Alright, moving on, we kindly request the


    presence of Miss Labenz!”