DARING RILEY

Chapter 8

The air was heavy with tension as Atlas's voice cut through the silence, his tone low and menacing. "Where is she, Brett?"

The calm exterior belied the undercurrent of anger simmering beneath, making Brett Moore's skin prickle with unease. Brett feared for the young woman's safety, so he opted to deceive, his voice laced with a hint of nervousness. "The young Missus is asleep, exhausted from the long drive."

Atlas's expression remained impassive, but his eyes flashed with incredulity, the spark of anger igniting a fire within. "When she wakes up, inform her that I'd rather not lay eyes on her," he spat. The words hung in the air like a challenge, leaving Brett to nod mutely, unsure how to refute the obvious contempt.

As Riley stood frozen, Atlas's venomous words seeped into her consciousness, making her skin crawl. Atlas's eyes flashed with disdain as venom dripped from his voice, his words aimed squarely at Riley.

A shiver danced down her spine as she contemplated the implications. If he despised her so intensely, she risked being ostracized from Norton Industries. With her ten-month contract hanging precariously in the balance, Riley couldn't afford to falter.

Watching Atlas's car disappear into the night, Riley felt a wave of trepidation wash over her as the sound of the engine faded into the distance. The darkness seemed to close in around her, the only sound the distant hum of crickets and the soft rustling of leaves.

Riley's fingers flew across the screen as she texted Hazel. The phone's keyboard cast a faint glow on her face. "Pick me up at the café."

Hazel's response was immediate, her words flashing on the screen. "Where are you? I went to your house and you weren't there!"

Riley's eyes sparkled with amusement as she replied, her fingers dancing across the keyboard. "I'm at the Aquashire mansion. I'll explain later."

The night air was alive with the sound of music and laughter as Hazel arrived at the café, the neon lights of the establishment casting a colorful glow on the surrounding buildings. Riley slid into the passenger seat, the leather creaking softly beneath her. "Thanks for picking me up," she said, her voice low and husky.

Hazel's eyes sparkled with amusement as she replied, "Anytime, country girl."

The car's engine purred to life, the sound blending with the distant hum of the casino's music. As they drove, the lights of the casino grew brighter, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the night sky.

The dimly lit casino pulsed with the rhythmic thump of music, the air thick with the scent of smoke and expensive perfume. Half-naked women gyrated on elevated platforms, their bodies bathed in the colorful lights emanating from the dance floor. The atmosphere was electric, the tension palpable.

Hazel spotted Riley dressed in a simple yet elegant customized jeans and Polo paired with a pair of short black boots, and frowned. "You can't go with me dressed like a country girl!"

Riley stared in confusion before asking, "Why? I'm from the countryside. Remember?"

Hazel's eyes sparkled with amusement, but her tone was laced with sarcasm. "Ha ha! Very funny."

She dragged Riley to her car and drove to the casino, the neon lights of the establishment illuminating the night sky. Upon their arrival, a bartender handed over a bag to Riley. Hazel quickly shoved her into the closest bathroom, the sound of laughter and music muffled by the door.

When Riley emerged, the other patrons in the casino turned to look at her, their eyes drawn to her like magnets. It was as if her aura could be felt from a distance. Riley's blonde hair was tied up in a ponytail, and her skin glowed under the neon lights. She wore a short, black backless dress which accentuated her curves, paired with silver heels that added to her height.

Even Hazel was awestruck at the sight. "Do I have a goddess for a friend?" Hazel asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Riley chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

Caden Reed's smooth voice cut through the din, "Well, I'm sure Miss Riley wouldn't mind being the plus one of the birthday boy, right?" His eyes locked onto Riley, a hint of mischief dancing in their depths.

Riley passed a subtle, deadly glare onto Hazel, who only shrugged her shoulders. She really didn't know that Caden was in her casino tonight, much less about his birthday.

Riley didn't want to be rude, so she agreed to accompany him. Besides, it was wrong to go empty-handed to a celebration back at the countryside. And since she didn't bring any gifts, she felt like she owed him this little favor.

The door to the exclusive room fell open, revealing a sea of expectant faces. The air was thick with anticipation, weighed down by the scent of expensive cigars and whiskey. Muted conversations and the soft clinking of glasses filled the room, creating a sense of subdued excitement.

Atlas, meanwhile, couldn't explain why he felt suffocated. He slightly loosened his tie, his jet-black eyes dimming every passing minute. The men gawked at the woman standing by Caden Reed's side with her arm entwined in his. She was a literal goddess. Other young women thought that she was just another woman for the week. As usual.

Riley didn't expect to see Atlas seated in the same table as his business rival. She felt the sudden urge to untangle her arm from Caden's, but Caden seemed to have noticed her movement and held on tight. The two who looked like a couple went closer to the table, with Caden holding firmly onto her tiny waist.

Atlas's eyes narrowed, his gaze locked onto Riley's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Then, Atlas's expression smoothed out, his mask slipping back into place.

The game was about to end, but Atlas proposed to play one round. Riley, who was keenly watching the game come to an end, was now looking at Atlas with keen interest. Did he really know how to play?

Atlas watched the other game end with an expressionless face. Riley wondered why he always wore a poker face. The new game was set, but Atlas had no opponent yet. Riley became confused. She turned to Caden, who sat beside her. "Why's no one else playing?" she asked, her voice laced with curiosity.

Caden's response was laced with amusement. "It's simple... nobody wants to lose money they can't earn in twenty years." He said with a small smile, his eyes glinting with mirth. Riley understood this - it meant that Atlas was a champion at cards and had never lost to anybody.

Hazel saw the defiant look in Riley's eyes and signaled to her not to. But who was she kidding? Riley volunteered to be his opponent, her voice firm and confident. Everyone admired the woman's courage, but they still thought that she was stupid. How could she defeat someone who was in the highest ranking of card players? She looked like a novice in this as well.

They began to whisper comments, their voices laced with skepticism. The crowd murmured in disbelief, "She's betting half a million?" Someone whispered. Another voice sneered, "She's just seeking attention."

With her eyes locked onto Atlas's, Riley placed a bold bet of half a million for the first round. Atlas only watched her as she was busy with her cards, expecting her to give up. But Riley remained seated. Seeing that she really wanted to play, Atlas continued, "Five million." Surely, for someone like him, that amount was a small change he could spare.

Riley, still focused on her cards, began to play. She studied her cards, her eyes narrowing as she calculated the odds. She raised the bet by another hundred thousand, her expression confident. The game was on, and only one could emerge victorious.

At the end of the first round, Riley won, summing her money to five million and six hundred thousand. The others who watched the two were dumbfounded. How?!

In the second round, Riley bet five million and six hundred thousand and Atlas matched her bet. The tension in the room was palpable as they played, their eyes locked onto each other. At the end of the round, Riley won again, her confidence growing with each victory.

But as she noticed Atlas's demeanor, she began to falter. It was as if he was intentionally letting her win. Something screamed at her to stop, but she had to complete the last round. She couldn't afford to back down now.

The final round began, and Riley's nerves were on edge. As Atlas watched Riley place her bet, a flicker of interest crossed his face. His eyes, normally cold and detached, sparkled with amusement. He leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers together as he studied Riley.

For a moment, Atlas was transported back to his childhood, watching his older cousin, Archie Norton, play cards with ease. Archie had taught him everything he knew, and Atlas had quickly surpassed his cousin's skills. But there was something about Riley's audacity that reminded him of Archie's fearless attitude.

Atlas's gaze never left Riley's face as he decided to let her win. He was intrigued by her skills and wanted to see how far she'd go. A small, enigmatic smile played on his lips as he placed his own bet, his movements deliberate and calculated.

Riley's eyes met Atlas's, and for a moment, they just stared at each other. Atlas's expression was inscrutable, but his eyes seemed to hold a hint of challenge, as if daring Riley to continue.