Raising the Stakes: Cheating the King of Cheats

Everyone in the city knows that Michael Shaw despises me to my core. He even takes pleasure in humiliating me in public at banquets.

He sneers, "My family made its fortune through gambling. Nancy Jackson is just a pretty face who can't even recognize all the suits in a deck of cards. Marrying her would be worse than marrying an inflatable doll that at least reacts!"

Still, the marriage agreement between our families comes first. On top of that, the fake heiress, who is his true love, can't have children. So, he forces me to gamble with him.

"If you lose, I want your womb to bear me a child. You have to get a C-section without anesthesia," he demands cruelly.

I've long had enough of him always giving me a hard time.

A soft laugh escapes my lips, and I reply, "Fine. If I win, then I want your manhood, Michael."

The crowd bursts into laughter. Everyone says that I'm overestimating myself. Everyone knows Michael is the best gambler in the city.

I lower my eyes and say nothing.

Indeed, he is one of the best. After all, five years ago on a stormy night, I was the one who held those hands and taught him how to cheat for the first time to stay alive.

Amidst the laughter echoing through the lounge, I sat down at the poker table with composure.

When he saw how calm I was, Michael Shaw raised an eyebrow, seemingly a bit intrigued.

"Not bad. You do have some guts," he said.

But then his tone shifted, the contempt growing thicker. "But you're all guts and no brains. Ms. Jackson, you can't even tell the suits apart. Do I need to explain the rules of poker to you?"

Upon glancing at the green felt table, a wave of familiarity rushed back.

I shook my head and raised a hand to stop him. "Thank you, Mr. Shaw, but there's no need. Five cards, four face-up, one face-down. We compare the values. Even I know that much."

"Fine. Since Ms. Jackson is so clear on the rules, let's begin!"

Michael sneered and gestured to the dealer standing by, Jerome Durham, to deal the cards.

"Wait!"

Just then, a coquettish voice rang out from the crowd.

"Michael, the more players there are, the more fun it becomes. What's the point of just you and Nancy playing? Why not include me?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Willow Baker—the scantily dressed fake heiress and my half-sister—stepped out from the crowd and sat right on Michael's lap.

She wrapped her arms around his neck and shot me a provocative look, taunting, "Nancy, you don't mind, do you?"

Willow was this brazen right in front of me, Michael's rightful fiancee, but he didn't mind. He even pinched her cheeks playfully and teased, "You're so cheeky, Willow.

"Your sister is a beginner. Are you really going to sit at the table and bully her too?"

Willow pouted, about to whine back.

I narrowed my eyes. Looking at Willow's profile, I realized she actually resembled me quite a bit.

Before she could get the words out, I said flatly, "It's fine. Whatever makes Willow happy. It's just one more person.

"Jerome, you can start now."

Michael paused for a moment, clearly finding my composure somewhat strange. Still, I didn't seem like someone who knew how to play.

He pushed down his suspicions and frowned as he patted Willow's waist.

"Alright, enough playing around. If you're going to play, go sit over there," he said to her.

Willow reluctantly got up and sat down in the seat beside Michael.

Then, a waiter quietly stepped forward and placed 30 million dollars' worth of chips before each of us. Willow's eyes lit up at the sight.

At the same time, Jerome took out a brand new deck of cards. He showed it, opened it, precisely picked out the 28 cards needed, and then began shuffling with dazzling speed.

When the sound of shuffling stopped, that was when the game officially began.

With deft flicks of his fingers, Jerome dealt the first face-down card to everyone.

Immediately after, the face-up cards followed. Michael had the six of hearts, Willow had the jack of diamonds, and I had the ace of spades.

Jerome glanced around and announced, "According to the rules of poker, the ace of spades is the highest card in this round. Ms. Jackson, you have the first move. Bet or fold?"

I nodded in acknowledgment, my fingers lingering over the chips.

However, I didn't push them forward right away. Instead, I let out a long sigh.

I looked at Michael with a hint of regret and said, "Mr. Shaw, you went to all this trouble to invite me to play. It would be too boring if we only bet money.

"How about we raise the stakes?"