Chapter 2

I sighed involuntarily.

Melody wasn't someone who loved money, otherwise she wouldn't have stuck with me through seven years of hardship.

I knew she was doing this to protect me.

But what she didn't know was that I didn't need her protection.

The seven years of endurance were because my casino business had grown too large, and I'd made quite a few enemies competing with other gangs, many of whom wanted to hunt me down.

For Melody's safety, I had no choice but to live in hiding.

Until last month, when I finally dealt with all my enemies and regained control of my business.

I came here today to check if anyone was cheating in the casino under my command.

I never expected to run into her.

Ignoring Melody's attempts to drive me away, I just smiled at her:

"I'm only asking if you want to come with me. If you say yes, even God himself couldn't stop me today."

Melody was silent for a few seconds, about to nod, when Dane had her grabbed.

"Leave? Like hell she will!"

"Today, forget about her, you're not going anywhere either!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a few lackeys tried to grab me, but I kicked them flying two meters away. The man who had slapped me earlier got his nose broken by my punch, blood gushing everywhere.

Dane's flabby cheeks quivered in fear as he stumbled backward, his shaking finger pointing at me.

"Do you know where you are? One phone call from me and you'll disappear without a trace!"

I wiped my hands and raised an eyebrow at him.

"This is a casino. By the rules, I can't kill anyone here."

"So, do you dare to gamble with me?"

"If I win, I'm taking her with me, and you'll never bother her again."

Dane sneered and asked me:

"And if you lose?"

"Do whatever you want with me."

"Deal!"

Dane threw his head back in laughter, clapping his hands.

His lackeys started laughing too, their eyes full of mockery as they looked at me.

"What a foolish little punk. Everyone knows Dane's called the Phantom of Card Sharp. No one leaves his table in one piece!"

"The last guy who dared to gamble with our Dane got all five fingers chopped off!"

Melody's face was filled with terror, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Eames, you can't gamble with him. You'll never beat him. Please, just go and forget about me. I'm begging you!"

She knelt before Dane again, banging her head on the floor with a thud.

"Dane, he's young and naive, he doesn't know any better. You're the bigger person here, don't hold it against him. If you want to kill someone or take it out on someone, let it be me. I'm begging you, please let him go!"

"You filthy whore, you don't get to speak here!"

Dane stood up, ready to slap Melody across the face, but I grabbed his arm.

"Nobody touches her until we know who's won or lost."

Perhaps intimidated by my demeanor, Dane let out a cold huff without saying a word.

"Deal the cards!"