Meanwhile, Isadora was having the time of her life.
She had somehow managed to get her hands on two glasses of champagne and walked over to the two guards Valen had left with her.
“Drink.
Have fun!” she said cheerfully, holding the glasses out to them.
The guards exchanged an awkward glance.
“Miss, we’re working.” “Fine.” She shrugged, then lifted both glasses to her lips and drank them herself, one after the other.
The champagne left a pleasant warmth in her stomach.
A few minutes later, she was beginning to feel lighter, her cheeks slightly flushed and her usual energy turned up another notch.
She looked around, then suddenly remembered Valen.
“Where’s Valen?” “He’s in the High Roller.” “Oh.” She nodded, then smiled.
“Can you take me there?” The guards hesitated.
“Miss, Mr.
Da Costa told us to stay with you.” “I know.” She waved a hand dismissively.
“I’ll stay with you.
I’m just going to see him.” She was already walking before they could argue.
By the time they reached the private salon, Isadora’s steps were a little less steady than usual, but she didn’t seem to notice.
She was still smiling to herself, clearly enjoying the effect of the champagne.
Inside the High Roller salon, things were far less amusing.
Valen sat across from Paul Webster, his expression unreadable as another hand of baccarat came to an end.
And once again, Webster had won.
The atmosphere around the table had grown noticeably heavier.
Paul Webster wasn’t just another businessman.
He was a dangerous man with connections across several criminal organizations, and getting him to agree to a deal was never simple.
Valen’s patience was being tested.
He remained perfectly calm, though the fact that the game was slipping out of his favor wasn’t exactly encouraging.
Then Ruel approached from behind and leaned down, murmuring quietly into his ear.
“Boss, Miss Matthew is outside.” Valen’s eyes narrowed.
“What?” Paul noticed the change in his expression and gave an amused smile.
“Is there a problem?” Valen glanced toward the door.
“Let her in.” A moment later, the doors opened.
“Valennnn!” Every head in the room turned.
Isadora walked in with a bright smile on her face, her cheeks slightly pink from the champagne.
She looked around the room with open curiosity, apparently unaware that she’d just walked into a room full of dangerous men.
Before Valen could even react, she crossed the room and dropped herself onto his lap.
“Come on.
Let’s have fun.
We can go dance at the nightclub.” Valen stared at her.
“Are you drunk?” “Nooo,” she replied, dragging out the word as she rested her head briefly against his shoulder.
Then she lifted her head, thinking hard.
“I only drank two glasses of champagne…” She frowned.
“Or four?” She counted on her fingers, then gave up halfway through.
“Maybe five.” Paul let out a quiet laugh.
Valen’s expression darkened.
Everyone around the table was staring at them.
Paul leaned back in his chair, clearly entertained.
“Is she your girlfriend?” he asked.
“You have good taste, Da Costa.” Isadora lifted a hand and waved at him.
“Hi, Valen’s friend.” Valen closed his eyes briefly.
Unbelievable.
Then Isadora finally noticed the cards on the table.
“Wait…” She leaned forward, blinking at them.
“Is this baccarat?” Valen immediately knew where this was going.
“Can I play?” “No.” “We can play two against two!” she suggested, suddenly enthusiastic.
“Valen and me, and your friend with another person.” Valen grabbed her hand before she could reach for the cards.
“Do you think this is a joke?” She leaned closer, lowering her voice so only he could hear.
“Don’t worry.
I know how to play.” Her words were slightly softer now, her smile a little crooked, but there was still confidence behind them.
Valen stared at her suspiciously.
Across the table, Paul chuckled.
“This should be interesting.” He looked at Valen.
“Deal.” .
.
The game began.
Isadora sat beside Valen, still wearing that satisfied little smile, while Paul settled into his seat across from them.
The other men gathered around the table, watching with quiet interest.
None of them seemed to take her seriously.
That changed very quickly.
The first few rounds went by, and Isadora kept winning.
At first, Paul thought it was luck.
Then she won again.
And again.
She leaned closer to the table, studying the cards with surprising concentration despite the champagne making her movements slightly sluggish.
“Player,” she murmured.
The cards were dealt.
She won.
Paul’s smile disappeared.
Another round.
Isadora won again.
The men around the table began exchanging looks.
Even Valen was staring at her now.
She didn’t seem to notice their reactions.
She was having far too much fun.
“Again,” she said, almost lazily.
Another hand.
Another victory.
Paul’s jaw tightened.
Isadora was massacring them.
She wasn’t just winning against Paul.
She was tearing through everyone who dared sit across from her, reading the game with an instinct none of them had expected from the slightly tipsy woman who had just walked into the room and sat on Valen’s lap.
Even Valen couldn’t hide his surprise anymore.
He had expected her to embarrass herself.
Instead, she was making experienced players look like amateurs.
Then came the final hand.
The room fell silent.
Isadora glanced at Valen, her eyes slightly glazed but her smile confident.
“Don’t worry.
I’ve got this.” Valen raised an eyebrow.
The cards were dealt.
For a moment, nobody moved.
Then the final card was revealed.
Valen had won.
There was a brief silence before Isadora’s face lit up.
She turned toward him with the biggest smile yet.
“See?” she exclaimed, pointing at him.
“I told you I know how to play!” Valen looked at her, still trying to process what had just happened.
“You were lucky.” “Lucky?” She gasped dramatically.
“I just destroyed everyone here!” A few men around the table stiffened.
Paul, however, wasn’t amused.
His face had turned red with anger.
“You think this is funny?” The atmosphere changed instantly.
Chairs scraped against the floor.
Several men reached beneath their jackets and pulled out guns.
Ruel reacted immediately, drawing his own weapon and stepping in front of Valen.
The guards outside the room moved at the sound of the commotion.
Valen, however, remained seated for a moment, his gaze fixed calmly on Paul.
Then he glanced at Isadora.
She was barely paying attention anymore.
The champagne had finally caught up with her, and she was leaning against him, her eyelids heavy.
“Ruel.” “Yes, boss.” “Take her.” Ruel looked at Isadora.
She was practically falling asleep on Valen’s shoulder.
“Boss—” “Take her upstairs.” Ruel understood immediately.
Valen wasn’t going anywhere.
He had a room full of armed men to deal with.
Ruel carefully helped Isadora to her feet, but she immediately leaned against him, mumbling something under her breath.
“Valen…” He glanced at her.
“I won.” A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips.
“I know.” Ruel led her toward the door.
Valen’s expression hardened the moment she disappeared from the room.
He slowly rose from his chair.
“Now,” he said, his voice dangerously calm, “let’s talk about what happens when you don’t know how to lose.” CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Isyyyy support your author pleaseYour gift is the motivation for my creation.
Give me more motivation!