Chapter 3

"A poker game?" My voice came out higher than I intended. "You want to settle a three-million-dollar debt with cards?"

Mr. Zhang's smile widened. "Not just any cards, Mrs. Martinez. One hand. Five-card stud. Derek's debt against something of equal value."

"But we don't have anything worth—" I stopped mid-sentence as Derek's grip on my hand tightened painfully.

"Actually, you do." Mr. Zhang opened the thick folder and pulled out several documents. "Your trust fund, Mrs. Martinez. Currently valued at approximately four million dollars."

My blood turned to ice. "How do you know about that?"

"I make it my business to know about my employees' assets. Especially when they owe me money."

Derek finally found his voice. "Chloe's trust fund is locked until she's thirty. We can't touch it."

"Not you, perhaps. But with the right legal documents..." Mr. Zhang spread papers across his desk like he was dealing cards. "Power of attorney. Collateral agreements. All perfectly legal."

I stood up so fast my chair nearly toppled. "You're insane if you think I'm gambling away my inheritance."

"Sit down, Mrs. Martinez."

The command in Mr. Zhang's voice made me freeze. This wasn't a request. I slowly lowered myself back into the chair, my heart hammering against my ribs.

"You seem to think you have a choice in this matter," he continued calmly. "Let me clarify your situation. Your husband has committed multiple felonies. I have security footage, financial records, and witness statements. One phone call to the district attorney and Derek spends the next two decades in prison."

"You can't—"

"I can. I will. Unless..." He tapped the papers with one perfectly manicured finger. "Derek wins one hand of poker."

Derek leaned forward desperately. "What happens if I lose?"

"If you lose, your debt is forgiven. In exchange, your wife's trust fund becomes mine. Plus..." Mr. Zhang's eyes locked on mine. "She becomes my personal assistant for six months."

The words hit me like a slap. "Excuse me?"

"Six months of employment. You'll live in my penthouse, attend business functions, handle my personal affairs. Think of it as... an exclusive internship."

"That's human trafficking," I whispered.

"It's a job contract. Extremely well-compensated, I might add. Room, board, designer wardrobe, full medical benefits. Many women would kill for such an opportunity."

Derek was already reaching for a pen. "Where do I sign?"

"Derek, no!" I grabbed his wrist. "You can't gamble away my life!"

"It's not your life, it's six months. And it's better than me going to prison." His eyes were wild, desperate. "Think about it, Chloe. You'd be set for life after this. Four million dollars! We could buy a house, start a family—"

"With money I earned by being some stranger's property?"

"Personal assistant," Mr. Zhang corrected smoothly. "Let's not be dramatic."

I wanted to run. Every instinct screamed at me to get out of this office, this building, this nightmare. But Derek's sweaty palm in mine reminded me of reality. If he went to prison, I'd have nothing. No job prospects with just a community college degree. No family support. No friends to crash with.

"What exactly would I have to do?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

"Accompany me to business dinners. Manage my calendar. Handle correspondence. Basic administrative duties." His tone was perfectly professional, but something in his eyes made my skin crawl. "Nothing illegal or immoral, I assure you."

"And if Derek wins the game?"

"Then you go home. The debt is forgiven, and we never speak of this again."

I looked at my husband. Really looked at him. The man I'd married was charming, confident, full of dreams. This Derek was a stranger - hollow-eyed, shaking, willing to bet his wife's freedom for one more chance.

"The game is rigged," I said quietly. "Isn't it?"

Mr. Zhang's eyebrows rose slightly. "What makes you say that?"

"Because this whole thing is too convenient. You could have had Derek arrested months ago, but you waited. You let him dig the hole deeper." My voice grew stronger as the pieces clicked together. "You wanted this situation. You planned it."

"Mrs. Martinez, you have quite an imagination."

"Do I?" I stood again, anger overriding fear. "How long have you been watching us? How long have you known about my trust fund?"

"Chloe, please," Derek tugged at my arm. "You're making this worse."

"Worse? Derek, he's asking you to bet me like I'm a poker chip!"

"It's six months," Derek pleaded. "Six months and we're millionaires. We'll never have to worry about money again."

The desperation in his voice broke something inside me. This was what our marriage had become. This was how little I meant to him.

"Fine," I whispered.

"What?" Derek blinked.

"I said fine. Play your game." I pulled my hand free from his. "But if you lose, Derek, we're done. You understand me? Win or lose, we're done."

Derek's face crumpled, but he nodded. Mr. Zhang watched our exchange with calculating eyes.

"Excellent. We'll play tonight at nine. Here in my office." He pressed a button on his desk phone. "Marcus will show you out."

As the same woman from earlier appeared to escort us to the elevator, Mr. Zhang called out one last instruction.

"Oh, and Derek? I'd suggest you get some rest. You'll want to be sharp tonight."

The elevator doors closed on his cold smile.

"Chloe, baby, I'm going to win," Derek said frantically as we descended. "I can feel it. This is our chance."

I stared at my reflection in the polished steel doors. "No, Derek. This is goodbye."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you just agreed to gamble away your wife. Win or lose, what kind of man does that?"

Derek opened his mouth to argue, but I cut him off.

"Don't. Just... don't."

We rode the rest of the way in silence. As we stepped into the lobby, Derek's phone buzzed with a text.

He read it and went white.

"What?" I asked despite myself.

"It's from Mr. Zhang." Derek's voice was barely a whisper. "He says... he says the game isn't five-card stud."

"Then what is it?"

Derek looked at me with terror in his eyes. "Russian roulette.”