The moment Yemin accepted Lorenzo's poker challenge, the entire club erupted in excited chatter. Guests pulled out their phones, already making calls to spread the news of what was about to unfold."Did he just say he wants to play poker with Lorenzo Romano?" a woman in pearls gasped to her companion."The poor bastard has no idea what he just walked into," laughed a man in a Rolex. "Lorenzo's been playing poker since he could hold cards!""This is going to be a massacre," another guest chimed in with obvious glee. "I almost feel sorry for the guy."A distinguished older gentleman shook his head in disbelief. "Lorenzo Romano is an unbeaten legend at poker. He's taken down professional players, millionaires, even casino owners. This fool just signed his own death warrant!"Lorenzo's chest puffed out with pride as he heard the crowd's reactions. The validation of his reputation was exactly what he needed after the humiliation of learning Yemin owned the club."You hear that?" Lorenzo sa

The private investigator Katherine had hired sat in his unmarked sedan, watching through binoculars as Yemin stepped out of his Aston Martin at the entrance of the Emerald Palace Casino.The P.I. quickly grabbed his camera and began snapping photos."Well, I'll be damned," he muttered to himself. "Guy's going to the most exclusive casino in the city."At the imposing entrance of the Emerald Palace, Yemin approached the doorman with complete confidence. The casino's facade was all gold and crystal, with security guards in tailored suits standing at attention."Good evening, sir," the doorman said with professional courtesy. "Do you have your membership credentials?"Without hesitation, Yemin reached into his wallet and produced a sleek black card that seemed to shimmer under the lights. "I'd like to purchase a premium membership."The doorman's eyes widened as he examined the Black Platinum card. "Of course, sir. Right this way."The P.I. continued photographing from his car, his confu

The abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city was dimly lit by a few hanging bulbs, casting long shadows across the concrete floor. Lorenzo Romano stood in the center of the space, surrounded by fifteen muscular men in dark clothing – thugs he had hired from the city's underground.Lorenzo paced back and forth like a caged animal, his expensive suit wrinkled and his hair disheveled from stress. The humiliation at the casino had eaten away at him all night, and now he was ready for revenge."That cocky bastard thinks he can embarrass me and just walk away," Lorenzo snarled to his hired muscle. "Well, he's about to learn what happens when you mess with a Romano."One of the thugs, a scarred man with gold teeth, grinned menacingly. "Don't worry, boss. We'll make sure he never forgets this lesson.""I want him broken," Lorenzo continued, his voice rising with anger. "I want him begging for mercy. And then I want my money back – every last cent."The warehouse door creaked open, and

Yemin stared at Lorenzo cowering against the warehouse wall, and a cold realization washed over him. He had been dealing with the Sphinx for months now – Joseph Ultra, Marco Benedetti, Vincenzo Torrino, Isabella Torrino-Ricci – and while they were all wicked, tricky, and evil, they had never been naive and stupid.But this pathetic heir trembling before him? Lorenzo clearly didn't know his left from his right when it came to real power or strategy."You know what?" Yemin said, his voice taking on a dangerous edge. "Something's very wrong here.""What... what do you mean?" Lorenzo stammered, pressed against the concrete wall."I've been hunting Sphinx members for months," Yemin continued, his eyes narrowing. "They're cunning, ruthless, calculating. But you? You're just a spoiled brat who throws money around."Lorenzo's face went even paler. "I don't know what you're talking about!""The hell you don't," Yemin snapped, stepping closer. "You're not really Lorenzo Romano, are you? At leas

Lorenzo Junior, who had been cowering in terror just moments before, suddenly found his courage returning now that his father had a gun pointed at Yemin. His earlier fear transformed into arrogant gloating as he stepped forward."You fool!" Lorenzo Junior sneered, his voice dripping with renewed confidence. "Did you really think you could take on my father? Did you honestly believe you could threaten a Romano and get away with it?"Lorenzo Senior kept his gun trained on Yemin while his son continued his tirade."You're about to pay for your arrogance, you pathetic nobody!" Lorenzo Junior continued, puffing out his chest. "My father is going to put a bullet in your head, and then we're going to dump your body in the harbor where no one will ever find you!""Shut up!" Lorenzo Senior barked at his son, his eyes never leaving Yemin. "Can't you read the situation, you idiot?"Lorenzo Junior looked confused. "But father, you have him—""The fact that this man knows about the Sphinx and our