Chapter 153

Chapter 153

The private room was silent as a tomb, save for the crisp clink of chips echoing through the air.

Jack didn't touch the chips—enough to buy several islands outright.

His hands were clasped together on the table, body leaning slightly forward, as a panther crouched in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment. His gaze was a tangible blade, scraping inch by inch across Karina's elegant, flawless face.

"Karina." Jack's voice was low and rough, laced with danger compressed to its breaking point. "Are you playing the long game here, or just testing me?"

The smile on Karina's face didn't crack. She crossed her legs gracefully and picked up the lukewarm coffee from the table, taking a delicate sip.

"Jack, now that hurts my feelings." She set down the cup, a perfectly measured hint of wounded pride flickering in her eyes. "A bet's a bet. Those are the rules of the house. You got lucky. I lost fair and square."

"Lucky?" Jack let out a cold laugh. His slender fingers tapped twice on the table. "Two aces in a row, and you dealt both hands yourself. Karina, do you think I was born yesterday?"

"Maybe your luck really is that good?" Karina tilted her head slightly, a flash of cunning in her eyes.

Jack stared her down. His mind raced, trying to catch a flaw in every micro-expression, every subtle movement.

Nothing.

Absolutely nothing.

Karina's performance was flawless—so flawless she looked like a genuine high-society woman who'd just lost a fortune but kept her composure intact.

But Jack knew that was exactly what made it so wrong.

Karina Tech laundered hundreds of billions of dollars through this casino every year.

As the core power player, her every move affected the nerves of the massive interest groups behind her.

There was no way—absolutely no way—she would casually lose tens of billions of dollars to some 'lucky' customer.

What the hell was she playing at?

Jack couldn't figure out what Karina was thinking.

"All in!"

He simply shoved all the chips he'd just won forward. If Karina wanted to lose, then he'd bet it all and see if she'd actually dare to hand over the entire casino.

Karina froze.

Just for a moment.

Then she smiled. "Your style really does remind me of William."

Jack's expression had been relatively calm until that moment.

The instant Karina mentioned William—

A cold, lethal gleam flooded Jack's eyes.

The air in the private room seemed to freeze.

Jack stared Karina down, his jawline so tight it looked ready to snap.

His breathing grew heavy, chest heaving violently—a sign that his murderous intent could no longer be fully restrained by reason.

"You don't get to say his name!"

He practically ground the words out through clenched teeth, each syllable a poisoned blade.

For the first time, the smile on Karina's face showed a barely perceptible crack. She looked into Jack's bloodshot, hatred-filled eyes and fell silent for a moment.

Then she let out a soft sigh.

"Fine. I won't mention him."

Her voice returned to its previous calm, even carrying a trace of an elder's indulgence. She reached out with a red-manicured finger and gently pushed aside the chips Jack had bet.

"This round, I fold."

Jack froze.

He hadn't expected Karina to refuse.

"What?" He narrowed his eyes, voice cold as ice. "Afraid you'll lose?"

"Not afraid to lose." Karina shook her head, looking at him calmly. "Just don't see the point."

She stood, smoothing the creases in her skirt, and looked down at Jack from above.

"Jack, you're too impulsive."

"William was the same way back then. Always thought his passion alone could change everything."

"And what happened?"

Her voice suddenly became very soft, soft as a sigh.

"He ended up in a situation he couldn't come back from..."

Jack's body went rigid.

"You—"

"Don't you want to know how William died?" Karina cut him off, her eyes revealing an extremely complex emotion. "Then calm down. Use your brain, not your fists."

"You want this casino, don't you?"

As she spoke, Karina pulled out a document. "This is the transfer agreement. I've already signed it."

"From now on, this casino is yours."

The moment those words left her mouth—

Jack was stunned.

The private room fell deathly silent.

Jack stared at the document pushed in front of him, pupils contracting slightly.

His gaze swept over the dense clauses, finally settling on the signature at the bottom right: Karina.

The handwriting was clear, the strokes sharp, without a trace of hesitation.

This wasn't a forgery.

This was real.

Karina had actually given him the casino.

Jack's mind went blank for a moment.

He'd imagined countless possibilities, but he'd never once thought she would simply hand over the casino.

This was more incomprehensible than losing ten billion dollars.

"Why?" Jack finally spoke, his voice unbearably hoarse.

Karina had already stood up. She looked at Jack with a smile. "In your mind, I must look like a heartless, vicious woman."

"Jack, many things aren't as simple as they seem."

Those eyes, lined with delicate eyeliner, shed all the cunning and elegance of a gambler, leaving only unfathomable exhaustion and weariness.

Karina walked to Jack's side and gently patted his shoulder, as if entrusting him with something, yet she said nothing at all. She simply walked out.

The door closed softly.

Jack was alone in the private room.

He sat at the table, tens of billions in chips before him, the dim yellow light casting his shadow long and dark across the floor.

Jack closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

When he opened them again, all confusion and hesitation had vanished.

Only determination remained.

No matter what—regardless of Karina's motives—he would uncover the truth about William's death.

Jack stood, swept all the chips on the table into a bag, and walked out of the private room.

Outside, the hallway lights were dim and endless.

Jack's figure disappeared at the far end.

In the shadows of the corridor, Karina hadn't truly left.

She leaned against the cold wall, listening to Jack's retreating footsteps, and slowly closed her eyes.

A tear slid down from the corner of her eye.

"William..."

She murmured softly, her voice almost inaudible.

"I don't know if I'm doing the right thing... if I'm putting him in danger. I just hope he can finish what you couldn't..."