Chapter 2- let’s raise the stakes
Five Years Ago
Nighttime. The headlights and neon lights painted a dazzling picture of the night.
Light snowflakes drifted from the sky, illuminated by the car lights, resembling tiny spirits that had fallen to the mortal world—each one twirling freely before ultimately settling into the dust.
On the street, a frail figure wrapped in a down jacket and wearing a knitted hat was sprinting frantically. Her breath turned into mist, shrouding her delicate face as she ran.
Regina's face was filled with urgency. She glanced repeatedly at the cartoon watch on her wrist while muttering under her breath. The moment she saw the neon-lit Flank Casino sign ahead, she pushed her legs to run even faster…
Screeeech—
Just as Regina was about to dash across the street, the sharp screech of brakes pierced the air. She froze in place, staring at the approaching car, her eyes wide in shock. Her already frost-reddened cheeks instantly turned pale with fear.
Regina stood there, stunned. After a moment, she suddenly snapped out of her daze. She looked at the car that had nearly sent her flying, but the blinding headlights prevented her from seeing who was inside.
Quickly, Regina bowed slightly in apology toward the car before resuming her hurried pace toward
Flank Casino…
Unbeknownst to her, her figure had been captured entirely by the man in the back seat.
Through the car window, Waldo watched the frail silhouette. His sharp, wolf-like eyes narrowed slightly, concealing the deep, unfathomable gaze within—an abyss as vast as the ocean. His thin lips pressed together, and his chiseled face remained as distant and cold as ever.
He frowned slightly, a faint trace of doubt flickering in his eyes. Just now, when he saw that lively face, for a fleeting moment, he had thought he was seeing Cecilia's shadow in her…
A self-mocking smirk curled on his lips. As soon as Regina's figure disappeared into Flank Casino, he withdrew his gaze. At the same time, the deep and intense look in his wolf-like eyes had vanished, leaving behind nothing but calm indifference.
"Drive." Waldo ordered coolly.
Greg started the car, turning the corner and smoothly gliding into the underground parking lot of **Flank Casino**. He parked the car in the designated spot and respectfully opened the door for Waldo, waiting patiently.
Waldo stepped out, his long legs moving gracefully. As soon as he was out of the car, he spotted a striking red Lamborghini parked in the space ahead, exuding an air of arrogance. He stood still, silently observing the car, his gaze regal and domineering, as if he were a king looking down upon his subject. The corner of his thin lips curled into a devilish smirk, and even deeper in his eyes, there was a hint of amusement.
Ding, ding, ding...
The sound of a phone ringing shattered the stillness, echoing faintly in the vast underground parking lot. The eerie tone seemed to send a chill through the cold air, unsettling anyone who heard it.
Waldo didn't check who was calling. He simply answered the phone, listening to the voice on the other end. His eyebrows lifted in a wicked arc, and with a mocking tone, he spoke slowly, "So eager to die, huh?"
"Who's to say who wins and who loses?" a lazy voice responded from the other side.
The smile on Waldo's lips deepened, and he replied in a low, dark voice, "If you lose again today... you might just lose the right to chase her..."
His words were indifferent but carried a heavy, almost playful tone. However, those who knew him well understood that this was the warning he gave right before he captured his prey.
Regina hurriedly changed her clothes. Still shaken from the scare and her frantic run, she was breathing heavily. She took a deep breath to calm herself, swallowing before adjusting her appearance in the mirror.
She wore a white blouse, a red A-line skirt, and a red bow tie. Her usual ponytail was now neatly styled into an updo. The refreshing look she had before was now somewhat concealed by the servant's uniform, giving her a more professional appearance, but it couldn't hide the clarity in her eyes.
"Good luck!" Regina made a fist and gave herself an encouraging gesture in the mirror. She left the changing room and met up with Jessie to take over the shift.
"Regina? Have you heard?" Jessie said, her voice filled with mystery. "They're opening the Supreme VIP room tonight!"
"Oh!" Regina replied with indifference, not paying it much attention as she focused on recording the details.
Jessie rolled her eyes and sighed. "Can you at least show some interest in gossip? The Supreme VIP! It's only opened for players who stake over ten million!"
Regina lifted her head and glanced at Jessie, whose eyes were practically glowing. She shrugged and said, "Miss... I work three or five jobs a day. I don't have time for this gossip. Besides, places like that aren't somewhere we can get into, so... you should head home after your shift. I've got work to do..."
With that, Regina placed the shift book in the cabinet, flashed Jessie a playful smile, and left the break room as Jessie pouted and hummed in frustration.
Flank Casino was the largest casino in the Red Moon Pack, where fortunes were made in a single night, and some lost everything in just a few hours.
More importantly... it was a place where the ugly truth was exposed every day. It seemed glamorous on the outside, but in reality, it was a dark abyss.
Regina carried the tray with a smile on her face, moving around the various gambling tables. Whenever she saw an empty glass, she would thoughtfully refill it with a drink. If a player had won and was feeling generous, they often tossed her a chip as a tip.
She looked at the blue chip in her hand, satisfied, and slipped it into her pocket before continuing her rounds around the guests. Despite the chaotic noise of the casino floor, fatigue was never visible on her face. It was as if she was always full of energy, no matter the time.
In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the main floor, the atmosphere in the Supreme VIP room on the top floor was eerily quiet.
A young man, around twenty-two or twenty-three years old, sat lazily on one side of the large gambling table. His eyes were half-closed, and his long fingers tapped rhythmically on the green velvet surface of the table. His tousled short hair covered his brows, masking a hint of rebellious charm.
With a sudden *clang*, the heavy iron double doors were pushed open, and the young man's lips curled into a sly, devilish smile as he slowly lifted his gaze. His striking face, though youthful, carried an air of depth that seemed far beyond his years.
Waldo paused briefly at the door, flashing a smile at the young man before stepping inside. Unlike the young man's mischievous demeanor, Waldo exuded a sense of dominance and bloodthirsty arrogance with every movement.
He shrugged off his coat and tossed it casually to a nearby servant before taking a seat across from the young man. He crossed his legs and lit a cigarette, his voice calm but commanding as he said, "Tomorrow, you'll come with me to meet the Black Rock Pack."
"Mm." The young man, Martin, casually toyed with a chip.
Waldo leaned back lazily in his chair, his narrow eyes watching Martin with cool indifference. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Martin, do you really want to compete?"
Martin smirked, shrugging nonchalantly as he spread his hands. His smile was sharp but lacked warmth, giving off an unsettling vibe.
Waldo lowered his gaze, pressing the cigarette butt into the ashtray before slowly replying, "Then… let's raise the stakes."
As he spoke, Waldo's eyes sharpened, and the cold, piercing light in them made it clear that this was no simple game.
Martin remained nonchalant, tossing the chip in his hand onto the table. "Go ahead. Tell me."
Waldo leaned forward slightly, a cold, seductive smile curling at the corner of his lips as he spoke, his chiseled face radiating an air of arrogant confidence: "If you lose, not only will you give up Cecilia, but you will also... give up the pack."