Chapter 30 All In

Chapter 30 All In
James looked at him as he prepared a good answer like,
“Maybe that’s because when you bet on someone to win a game for you, the thrill comes from the amount of blood they spill just to earn your prize. But this one”—James laid down his cards, ending the game with his fourth win—“here you bet your own life and fight to win it back.”
The drunken man laughed in delight at James’s answer, while two others looked stressed over the money they had lost. A short-haired woman hadn’t said a word since the first round started, but her eyes never left the table, as if she were still connected to the game in some quiet way.
“Tell me,” James said as he collected his chips, “what’s so thrilling about Sanz Egale’s arena? I heard they run underground fights too.”
“Who said anything about Sanz Egale’s?” the drunk man replied. “I was talking about the north battleground.”
“Oh… looks like I missed something.”
The thick-necked man joined the conversation despite still being annoyed with James.
“You should try that one, boy. Let’s see if you can place your bets as wisely as you pick your cards.” There was a hint of amusement in his tone.
James didn’t seem bothered.
He looked at the man and smiled, not hesitating to show off.
“Really? What if you see me win a prize for you, sir?”
“Ha! Cocky little guy.” The man scoffed. “You might win at the table because you’re lucky, but I don’t see you having what it takes to protect yourself. The northern arena is famous for brutal fights—rough players. No rules inside that place. The match only ends when one of the fighters is defeated… and never comes back.”
“You mean… dead?”
Elodie’s soft voice broke their focus. The men turned to look at her, as if noticing for the first time that the pretty girl at the table had finally spoken.
“Yes, lady,” the drunk man answered quickly.
“So you’ve been there before?” Elodie asked again, as if the words slipped out before she could stop herself. James glanced at her briefly, but his expression didn’t change.
“Yeah. Lost money betting on a loser.” The man chuckled. “Not everyone can even get information about the place easily. But I heard they’ve moved further north lately—bigger bets, tougher fights.”
Elodie leaned slightly against James’s chair, blending into the conversation.
“You know where it is?”
“Sure. I’m not just some ordinary man who likes to gamble—I live for it. As long as gambling exists, I’ll be living alongside it.”
Elodie tried to think of a way to make the man talk more about that northern arena—the one that must belong to O’Connell. But before she could say anything else, the man spoke again.
“But pretty girl, why would you want to hear more about that? You like that kind of… violence?”
Elodie fell silent. Her eyes trembled slightly when the question came with the drunk man’s mischievous smile. She realized she had already said too much. Now silence felt like a ticking bomb—one that would explode if James didn’t step in.
“She knows what I’m capable of.”
The thick-necked man scoffed. “Oh really, kid? Stop bluffing.”
“You know,” James said calmly, “I’m actually a dirty player. And you should remember that before you ever watch me fight. I choose my fights more carefully than I choose my cards.”
He leaned back slightly, his voice turning almost lazy.
“And you should be grateful I’m not playing dirty at this table… because I could’ve annoyed you a lot more than this.”
The man was so annoyed he gritted his teeth, trying to deny James’ chilling stare—but the cold was real, crawling down his spine. He left the table before James could peel him any more naked than this.

Another player left not long after, but the two men before James remained seated, almost as if they were enjoying their loss.

They weren’t.

They stayed for a different reason.

“Pretty girl shouldn’t just stand and watch,” one of the men said, turning to Elodie. “Take a seat and play with us. One last roll.”

Elodie glanced at James. His eyes told her she didn’t have to do it.

Surprisingly, she sat beside him.

The man smiled with satisfaction, though the nervousness on Elodie’s face was obvious. She placed her bet, and the man did the same. But the woman in the tight maroon dress looked at Elodie with a faint frown.

“Unfortunately, I’ve got nothing left to bet,” the woman said lightly. “I already gave all my chips to your boyfriend.”

“He’s not my boyfriend,” Elodie corrected quickly. Awkwardness flushed her face for a second before the woman laughed with smooth elegance.

“That’s good. But do you know what’s better?” She leaned slightly forward. “I’ll put myself into the bet.”

“What?”

“If you lose, you’ll be my chat friend.” Her eyes never left Elodie. Even when Elodie tried to speak, the woman cut in smoothly. “And if you win, I’ll take you north—to O’Connell’s underground battle.”

Elodie’s eyes widened. Excitement and satisfaction flashed beneath her gaze, though she kept her expression controlled. Beside her, James looked at the woman sharply. If anything hid beneath his silence, it was pure alertness.

Elodie forced herself to stay calm. “Deal.”

The game began.

Cards slid toward her. Her fingers hovered above them. Across the table, the woman lifted her gaze again—sharper this time, yet still composed. She watched Elodie carefully.

Elodie peeked at her cards awkwardly, focusing on winning. This time, James wasn’t playing. He simply leaned slightly closer to her.

“Fold if it looks bad,” he murmured.

She nodded.

Elodie hesitated before matching the bet. The woman raised smoothly. Earlier she had been quiet, almost indifferent to the game—but now she moved without hesitation, like someone finally revealing her true nature.

More cards appeared. More bets followed.

One of the men shoved a stack of chips forward. “All in.”

Elodie froze, confusion flashing across her face, but adrenaline refused to let her step back. James leaned closer and whispered,

“You don’t have to—”

“I call.”

Her voice surprised even herself.

She looked at the woman, who calmly pushed herself into the bet as well. All in.

The dealer revealed the final card.

Silence swallowed the table.

One of the men slammed his cards down.

“Straight.”

Elodie slowly revealed hers.

Two pairs.

Then the woman turned over her hand.

Flush.

Five cards of the same suit.

James’ eyes widened. Elodie froze as the dealer pushed the mountain of chips toward the woman.

The woman gathered them with an easy smile. She had gotten exactly what she wanted—a pile of money, and a new chat friend.

She stood as the game officially ended.

“Bellagio Conservatory Garden. Ten a.m.” She glanced at Elodie from head to toe. “Try to look more casual than this. That fitted dress doesn’t suit you.”

And just like that, she left the table—leaving Elodie with a place, a time, and the beginning of something far more fun than a friendly chat.