Chapter Thirty-Five: I Win
Author: Tony Hallows
last update2025-07-30 05:35:57

The hush that fell over The Mirage Vault as the final round began was heavy enough to crush breath. For a moment, even the flickering lights and mechanical chimes of the digital slot reels seemed quieter, the casino's pulse dimmed to a low, waiting throb.

All eyes in the private lounge were on the two men at the center of the storm. Michael sat still, his white hair catching the subtle shimmer of the overhead lights, face unreadable as he watched the holo-dealer shuffle the projected cards into a radiant spin. Across from him, Cassian Farrell lounged lazily in his chair, eyes gleaming with a dangerous mirth. The heir radiated confidence, but Michael could see the tension behind the casual smile and the slight flex of his fingers on the table's edge.

Cassian turned to the gathering crowd. "One last round," he announced, voice smooth as velvet. "Winner takes everything."

The gathered elites murmured with anticipation. The dealer dealt the opening hands. The game might have been based on
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