Chapter 5

All in.

They were ready to bet everything on this one.

As everyone turned to watch me, waiting for my response, I kept my eyes downward as I stayed silent for ten seconds.

Eventually, I looked up. "Call. I will bet… everything I have."

The room was silent, and Brandon was suddenly on his feet. "Are you crazy?! Do you even know what you're talking about?!"

I smiled faintly. "Table rules, Brandon. A bet's a bet… Unless you're scared?"

Wanda stood up too, tugging on Brandon's arm and making him sit. "Come on, Brandon—she wants to give us everything, so why don't we receive her goodwill? Or what, does your heart ache for her?"

Then, turning to smirk at me, she said, "A verbal agreement doesn't count. Call up your lawyer and draft a black-and-white! We will do the same!"

"Sure," I replied briskly and called my lawyer while everyone watched, telling him to bring an inventory of all my assets and draft the agreement in question.

Brandon watched me coolly. "You'd better not regret this."

Then, as everyone watched, he sat beside Wanda, making his stance very clear.

And with that, the last shred of hope I had faded.

The lawyers soon arrived, and all three parties quickly combed out the finer details of the bet agreement.

Even as my lawyer handed me the finalized copy, he warned under his breath, "Ms. Stark… The hard part only comes after you sign this…"

I ignored him, my fingers pale as I squeezed the pen.

That was when Brandon suddenly said, "You can still give up."

He spoke as if he was being charitable, while also confident that I would grab the opportunity to back down.

I never looked up, however, as I signed the agreement.

And with that, the dice and cups were once again waiting at the center of the table.

Even Martin's voice sounded dry at that moment. "This is it—same rules, highest points wins. The winner takes all."

Wanda swiftly grabbed her cup and rolled.

Five and six—eleven points.

A large number.

When it was Brandon's turn, he shook his dice briskly without any fancy moves.

When he lifted the cup, the room erupted with cries of disbelief.

Twelve points! The highest score!

"Woah!!!"

"Hard six! That's basically a jackpot!"

"It's definitely a win!"

"I mean, how else would she win? That's unless she manages to get twelve too!"

"No way! Hard six?!" Wanda was hugging Brandon excitedly before turning to me. "Shame, Angie. Luck just isn't on your side."

She was grinning smugly as she reached for the agreements, as if she already owned me.

Brandon was looking at me too, with a look of mixed expressions. "Concede right now, and I can consider looking the other way at what you lost before."

I simply watched him quietly because I knew what would happen next.

By tomorrow, we would be strangers again.

With that I quietly took my dice cup, shaking it steadily and slamming it forcefully on the table.

All eyes were on the cup when I lifted it, with everyone holding their breaths.

And after a brief silence, I heard Wanda cry out, "No! That's impossible!"