The three of them moved deeper into the casino, attendants guiding them toward a private table cordoned off by velvet ropes. Here, the noise of the main floor dulled into a hum, replaced by the soft strains of piano music drifting from a hidden corner.
Victor carried his tray of chips like a conquering general, his grin wide and his stride casual. He turned suddenly to Ethan, his voice rising with a teasing edge.
"Ethan, my friend," Victor chuckled, lifting a heavy stack of high-value chips for emphasis, "why did you exchange for so little? One point three million? That's pocket change in this place! If you want real money, you've got to go big. Big risks, big rewards. You know the saying."
Ethan adjusted the tray in his hands, his expression unreadable. "Big risks also mean big losses," he replied calmly.
Victor snorted, amused. "That's only if you're unlucky. And I told you before—your luck's always been good. Don't tell me you're chickening out."
Ethan's lips curved faintly. He leaned closer, his voice low. "I'm still a student, Victor. Do you really think I can throw around five million without consequences?"
Victor blinked, taken aback. "Wait… you're still a student? You mean not even in university yet?"
Ethan nodded once.
Behind them, Selene walked a few paces behind, her heels clicking softly against the marble. To Victor's eye, she seemed distracted, gazing at the decor. But Ethan glanced over his shoulder—and for just a moment, caught the glint of her eyes. Sharp. Focused. Listening.
His jaw tightened. He chose his next words carefully.
"Look," he said, lowering his voice. "If my account suddenly shows me spending five million in a casino, I'll get banned faster than I can sit down. And my mom—" his mouth tightened into a wry smile—"she's not the type to let me slide on something like that. She'd tan my hide, no matter how old I am."
Victor burst out laughing, nearly dropping a chip. "You're serious! Hah! You, the mysterious Ethan who plays with Mary, still reporting to his mom like a kid? Now that's rich."
Ethan chuckled softly, though his eyes flicked back to Selene again. She wasn't mocking him. If anything, her expression had softened for a moment. So he's young… but cautious, she thought. Not reckless like Victor. That's… unexpected.
Victor shook his head, still grinning. "But wait—you just dropped a bomb on me. You're still in school, not even at college, and yet… how the hell do you know Mary? Do you realize nobody knows her? Nobody even dares to act familiar with her, and you're here just—" he snapped his fingers—"calling her like she's your cousin or something."
Selene's steps slowed slightly, her ears sharpening at the name. Mary? He knows Mary? Even Selene, with all her connections, only knew whispers of the woman.
Ethan exhaled slowly. He couldn't tell the truth. The system, the missions—it would sound insane. So he wrapped his lie around the truth, crafting words carefully.
"Let's just say," he murmured, "she needed a driver one night. I happened to be available."
Victor stopped mid-step, staring at him with wide eyes before bursting into another fit of laughter. "You? Mary's driver? Oh, that's priceless. No wonder she tolerates you—you're useful!"
Ethan gave him a flat look, though the corner of his mouth curved faintly. "Think what you want."
Selene, however, did not laugh. Her gaze sharpened, narrowing on Ethan's calm expression. He had spoken casually, but his tone carried something else—something heavier. Driver? Maybe. But it's not that simple. Nobody just becomes Mary's driver. She doesn't let anyone close unless she wants to.
Her curiosity deepened. Who exactly was Ethan Ivers?
They reached the private poker table at last. A croupier in a crisp black uniform greeted them with a bow, motioning them toward the seats. The table itself gleamed under a private chandelier, green felt stretched taut over polished wood, stacks of chips waiting neatly in the center.
Ethan set down his tray and eased into his chair, trying to appear calm. But the moment his hand brushed the chips, the faint glow of the system shimmered in his vision.
[System Notification]
New Mission Event Triggered: The Hand of Chance"Poker is not just a game of cards. It is a game of chance, of patience, of reading your enemies. Luck may be a factor, but fortune favors the one who learns."
Help Card Activated.
A new window unfurled in front of his eyes, translucent and filled with text.
Poker Rules and Instructions
Objective: Win chips by forming the best five-card hand or convincing opponents to fold through betting.
The Deck: Standard 52-card deck, no jokers.
Hand Rankings (from weakest to strongest):
High Card: No combination, highest card wins.
One Pair: Two cards of the same rank.
Two Pair: Two different pairs.
Three of a Kind: Three cards of the same rank.
Straight: Five cards in sequence (any suits).
Flush: Five cards of the same suit, not in sequence.
Full House: Three of a kind plus a pair.
Four of a Kind: Four cards of the same rank.
Straight Flush: Five cards in sequence, all the same suit.
Royal Flush: Ace, King, Queen, Jack, Ten of the same suit. The unbeatable hand.
Game Flow (Texas Hold'em, most common variant):
Blinds: Two players place forced bets (small blind, big blind) to start the pot.
Deal: Each player receives two private cards ("hole cards").
First Betting Round: Starting from the player left of the big blind. Players can fold, call, or raise.
Flop: Three community cards are dealt face-up.
Second Betting Round.
Turn: Fourth community card dealt face-up.
Third Betting Round.
River: Fifth and final community card dealt face-up.
Final Betting Round.
Showdown: Remaining players reveal their hands. Best hand wins the pot.
Strategies and Tips (System Highlighted):
Patience Wins: Do not play every hand. Fold when odds are poor.
Read Opponents: Watch betting patterns, body language, and timing. They reveal strength or weakness.
Bluffing: Sometimes a weak hand can win if played confidently.
Position Matters: Acting later in the round gives more information. Use it.
Bankroll Management: Never commit more than you can afford to lose in one hand unless certain of your strength.
Ethan's eyes scanned the glowing text rapidly, his mind absorbing every line. His chest tightened. He had played cards before—cheap games with friends, betting scraps—but never like this. Never in a room where millions would shift hands in minutes.
And yet, as the system's words etched themselves into his mind, clarity began to settle.
He didn't just have luck tonight. He had guidance.
He inhaled slowly, raising his gaze to Victor and Selene as the first shuffle of cards began.
Alright, Ethan thought, his hand brushing the chips. Let's play.
The night air was heavy with the scent of roses blooming in the garden outside the Vale estate, but Lena hardly noticed. She sat curled in her chair, her thoughts a storm. The weekend gathering still weighed on her mind—her parents' words, Adrian's smug smile, the suffocating chains of expectation.
Her phone buzzed on the table.
She glanced at the screen. It was her friend, Amelia—one of the few people Lena still trusted in the shallow social circles that surrounded her.
She answered quickly. "Amelia?"
Her friend's voice came through in a rush, filled with excitement and disbelief. "Lena, you won't believe this—I just saw your ex, Ethan, at the Grand Royale Casino! With Victor Vale of all people! He was exchanging chips like he belonged there!"
Lena froze, the words crashing against her chest like waves. "Ethan…? At the casino?"
"Yes!" Amelia insisted. "And he wasn't alone. Victor was treating him like a friend. You know what that means, right? Victor doesn't waste time on nobodies. Your ex must have—"
But Lena didn't wait to hear the rest. She shot to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the polished floor. Her hand gripped her purse with white-knuckled intensity.
"Where exactly?" she demanded.
"The Royale. Downtown."
The call ended. Lena's heart raced, pounding so loud she could hear it in her ears. Images of Ethan flashed unbidden in her mind—his quiet smile, the way he used to walk her home, the sincerity in his eyes that no one else in her gilded world ever showed.
Why was he there? How had he entered Victor's circle?
Her thoughts tangled, but one thing was clear: she had to see for herself.
"Driver!" she called sharply, striding toward the front steps of the mansion. The doors opened, and the family chauffeur bowed slightly.
"Prepare the car," Lena ordered. "Now."
The man nodded, hurrying. Moments later, Lena slid into the back seat, her fingers trembling as she clutched her purse. The car purred to life, and they sped toward the casino lights.
Meanwhile, at the Grand Royale Casino, the valet line buzzed with constant arrivals—supercars gleaming under golden lights, laughter spilling from tinted windows, cameras flashing from discreet corners.
Then a hush fell, subtle but noticeable. Heads turned.
A brand-new car glided into view, its body sleek, shining like molten silver under the chandeliers outside the entrance. Even among the exotic machines gathered there, it stood out—a statement of wealth and taste.
The engine cut off. The door opened.
Mary stepped out.
She wore a dress that shimmered faintly with each step, its cut simple yet so perfectly tailored that it radiated elegance far beyond jewels. Her hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders, her every movement exuding control, grace, and quiet dominance. She didn't need to flaunt anything—the world bent around her presence.
The valet bowed deeply, almost stumbling in his haste. "Miss Mary, welcome."
She gave a small nod, the faintest curve of a smile playing at her lips. Without a word, she handed the keys to the attendant and began walking toward the entrance.
Whispers followed her.
"Mary? She's here?""Impossible—she never shows up unless…""Who invited her?"
Inside the casino, word spread quickly like a ripple across water. Mary was coming. Mary was here.
And at a private poker table, Ethan's phone buzzed with a short message.
I'm here. Where are you?