Unveiled: The Survivor's Triumph

The more excited Vivian got, the more mixed my feelings became. I didn't want Arthur to lose it, but I also hoped Ethan would win since I bet all my savings on this table.

Casinos were like battlefields; there were winners and losers. I suddenly realized coming here was a mistake.

I hadn't even flipped my cards when Arthur lost it. He slapped his cards down, and the crowd gasped, "Nine, what luck."

"Shit," Bella muttered. She knew her chances were slim and leaned back, waiting for the game to end.

"Why's he so damn lucky?" Oliver grumbled.

I didn't have the guts to turn over my cards.

"Flip them," Ethan said calmly, patting my shoulder.

I turned over the first card and wanted to cry. Even though I didn't play much, I knew 3 was the lowest.

"Keep going," Ethan said, still calm.

The second card was another 3, and I felt even worse.

Arthur saw my expression and smirked. "Emily, hurry up and flip them. Why are you stalling?" Vivian urged impatiently. "Flip it," Ethan said with a smile.

I took a deep breath and turned over the third card. Ethan laughed softly.

When I looked at him, he was already standing, grabbing the cards from my hand and slamming them on the table.

The crowd went wild, laughing, shouting, jumping, and slapping the table, more excited than the players.

My last card was another 3. Later, Ethan told me that three 3s also made nine, but it was higher than other nines, making it the best hand.

Bella sighed in relief and smiled at me. "Emmy, I don't mind losing to you."

Oliver's jaw dropped, and his cigarette fell out. After a moment, he laughed and cursed, "Damn, Ethan, your girlfriend is amazing. She saved all her luck for the last hand. I just lost a million dollars to you." 'A million dollars?' I was so shocked I couldn't close my mouth. Just this hand was a million-dollar deal?

Ethan had already sat down, casually draping an arm over the back of my chair, as if a million dollars meant nothing to him.

Knowing the truth, I looked at Arthur. He was pale. Vivian couldn't accept it, grabbing my cards to check them again and again, finally sitting back down as if she couldn't stand.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

"I don't have that much money. Can I write an IOU? Or maybe we can sleep together to settle the debt?" Bella said that on purpose.

The guys around us burst into laughter.

Ethan licked his lips, smiling. He gently wrapped his arm around me but spoke to Bella, "Since you're Emily's friend, let's forget it. Just treat us to a meal another day."

I didn't expect Ethan to be so generous, letting go of a million dollars for his fake girlfriend.

My curiosity about Ethan grew. 'Who exactly is he?'

But I knew he wouldn't let Arthur off the hook.

Sure enough, Ethan's voice rang out. "Mr. Miller, will you transfer the money or use a card? The staff can assist you."

Two staff members in black suits approached Arthur, bowing respectfully. "Sir, please come with us."

Arthur's face turned bright red as he reluctantly picked up the card he had slammed on the table earlier.

Although Arthur never let me control his finances, I knew he didn't have a million dollars on that card, maybe five hundred thousand at most.

Vivian could no longer be proud; she must have known Arthur's financial situation.

Everyone's stares and the growing murmurs made Arthur's once-straight back bend little by little.

I stared at Arthur, my eyes full of regret and sorrow. He didn't have to gamble, but he did. He wasn't young enough to be impulsive, yet he made such a rash decision. He made his choice and must bear the consequences. "Arthur, do you have a million dollars on that card?" Bella loudly exposed his embarrassment.

Arthur's face turned red, gripping the card tightly. After a long time, he finally squeezed out a voice through clenched teeth. "Can I write an IOU?"

Ethan laughed, leisurely lighting a cigarette. "Arthur, you know the rule of gambling: if you can't afford to lose, don't play. We're all adults here. If you want to play, you need the courage and ability to bear the consequences." "Fuck, if you don't have the money, why are you playing?" Oliver cursed.

Bella laughed. "Arthur, why not let the woman beside you sleep with the winner for a night?"

Everyone burst into laughter. I knew Bella's earlier comment was setting up for this moment.

Vivian panicked, clinging tightly to Arthur, afraid he might actually push her out to settle the debt. "Arthur, don't."

"Don't?" Ethan's voice rose, blowing out a smoke ring with a smile.

His flippant tone and the underlying implications made me incredulously turn to Ethan.