Chapter 81

The crowd gasped in collective shock.

Alistair Delaney was a living legend in Pamore's underground gambling circles. Though he'd maintained a low profile in recent years, his reputation remained untarnished.

Compared to his grandson Sebastian's amateurish attempts, Alistair was in an entirely different league.

Yet for a man of his stature to challenge a young woman seemed undignified.

Evelyn Carter tilted her head with casual indifference. "And what happens when you lose?"

Alistair's intentions were transparent - he meant to humiliate her publicly.

The audacity!

Admit to being the other woman?

Preposterous.

"Young lady, I never lose!" Alistair thundered, his voice echoing through the silent room. "Do you accept my challenge or not?"

His bullying tactics were obvious, yet none dared intervene.

Evelyn's lips curved into a dangerous smile. "If you lose, Isabella kneels before me to confess her sins. She'll slap her own face for meddling in my marriage."

Her gaze dropped to the antique signet ring on Alistair's thumb. "And that heirloom becomes mine."

A collective intake of breath filled the room.

That single ring could purchase a small country.

Alistair had worn the Delaney family treasure for decades - its value beyond monetary measure.

All eyes turned to Evelyn with newfound respect. The girl had steel in her spine.

"Problem?" Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "You demand I strip naked for public humiliation, yet balk at matching the stakes?"

Alistair's fingers twitched around his precious ring, veins bulging at his temples. How dare this insolent chit covet his birthright!

Remembering Sterling Enterprises' plummeting stocks, his expression hardened. "Done."

Natalie Reeves gripped Evelyn's arm. "Are you certain about this?"

"Relax." Evelyn winked. "Just enjoy the show."

Alistair's confidence was absolute. That earlier perfect roll had been beginner's luck. He controlled the dice like a maestro.

"One round. No second chances."

He snatched the dice cup, shaking it with theatrical flair before slamming it onto the velvet surface.

Four perfect sixes stared up at them.

Gasps rippled through the crowd. The master had shown his true skill. All eyes turned to Evelyn with pity.

What could possibly beat this?

Evelyn gave the cup three lazy shakes before setting it down. "Mine's better. You lose."

"Impossible!" Alistair scoffed. "Nothing beats four sixes."

With a flick of her wrist, Evelyn revealed the dice while simultaneously extending her palm. "My ring, please."

The crowd surged forward.

Five sixes.

How?

There had only been four dice!

"Cheat!" Alistair roared, slamming his fist on the table hard enough to rattle the crystal chandeliers.

Evelyn tutted. "Careful, grandfather. You'll damage my new jewelry." Her laughter was light as champagne bubbles.

"If I cheated, so did you." She flipped the cup, revealing a hidden magnet.

Alistair's face darkened to thundercloud purple, but decades of high-stakes gambling had thickened his skin.

"Since we both cheated, we go again!" he declared shamelessly.

Without tricks, pure skill would prevail. He'd crush this upstart properly!

"You said one round, no exceptions." Evelyn's gaze turned razor-sharp. "The only question is - whose deception was more elegant?"

The realization dawned on the spectators - Evelyn had outplayed the master at his own game.

"The entire room witnessed your promise." Evelyn's voice cut like diamond. "Would the great Alistair Delaney really disgrace himself further?"

Natalie chose that moment to raise her camera, the shutter clicks deafening in the tense silence. "Thank you for the exclusive, Mr. Delaney. The tabloids will adore these."