Chapter 2

The smile on John's face froze. He stared at me in disbelief, stunned for a long moment.

He clearly had not expected that reaction from me. He saw my calm acceptance, instead of tears and desperate pleas for him not to go.

When Helen heard my words, she suddenly hurled her phone at my back.

I turned around, forcing myself to meet her eyes despite the ache in my chest. I wanted so badly to walk over and hold her, but my feet would not move.

"Helen, stay home with Danny and wait for me. I won't lose. Trust me."

Even if I told her that I did not want to gamble, she would not believe me.

Not just her, but no one would. Anyone who looked at me then would think the same.

So, instead of wasting time explaining, I chose to follow John's plan and find the truth at the table.

When I arrived at the gambling hall, I immediately caught the subtle exchange of glances between John and my opponent.

That was all the confirmation I needed.

They were working together, setting me up, bleeding me dry, then splitting the winnings between them.

I could not understand why John would do that to me. I had never wronged him.

However, people's hearts were impossible to read.

By the time the game began, I found myself already seated at the table without even realizing when I had taken my place.

The dealer started dealing.

It was still Texas Hold'em.

I took a slow breath, forcing myself to calm down as I scanned the room.

Then, I stood up.

"John, go sit next to him. I don't need you here beside me."

John paused, clearly taken aback.

"Nathan, what are you talking about? You think me sitting here means I'm feeding information to the other side? Come on, you're overthinking it."

He then chuckled, but I said nothing.

I pressed my lips together and stared at him coldly.

Was that not exactly what he was doing?

In my previous life, after he sat beside me, I lost again and again, so badly it made no sense. Even at my worst, I would never have played that poorly.

"For safety reasons, not only are you not allowed to sit next to me, none of the cameras behind me are allowed to face me either."

The moment I said that, the room erupted into murmurs.

Hearing them only strengthened my conviction.

There had to be an interference , something around me that caused me to lose repeatedly.

I did not know what John had used to control me. Perhaps something that made my body act against my will.

However, one thing he could not control was my mind.

My opponent, Ian Smith, narrowed his eyes and studied me for a long moment before nodding.

"Fine. Do as he says. Wouldn't want you losing everything and then accusing us of cheating afterward."

I clenched my fists tightly as I stared at him.

Helen had died because of that man.

After Ian was done with her, he passed her around to his subordinates.

Even Danny had been taken overseas, his fate unknown.

Facing the two men who had destroyed my life, I summoned a level of focus I had never reached before.

The dealer finished dealing.

I picked up my cards after a deep breath.

It was a king and a seven.

Ian had a six showing, his hole card unknown.

I placed the king face down. My hand was stronger, so I opened the betting.

"One hundred thousand dollars."

I pushed my chips forward.

Ian smirked and casually followed.

The dealer dealt the third card.

Mine was a nine, and Ian's was another six.

I remained calm, my expression steady.

Ian had the stronger visible hand. It was his turn.

"Three hundred thousand dollars," he spat aggressively.

The crowd around us leaned in, interest piqued.

"Now, this is getting good."

"If it were me, I'd fold. He's got a pair of sixes already."

"Come on, don't be a coward. There are still two cards left. Who knows, he might turn it around."

The last comment came from John.

He took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly as he looked straight at me.