Regret Is the Only Gain in a New Year Gamble

"I know. But it doesn't matter. I'm seeing this through with you to the end," I replied.

Owen asked, "You really want to take this until we both go down, huh?"

"When my dad lit your cigarette, you couldn't even be bothered to cup the flame," I shot back.

At that, Dad panicked. He rushed over and grabbed my arm. "Owen's a big-time businessman now! He doesn't sweat the small stuff. Stop this! There's no need to push the stakes this high. He didn't mean it!"

"I meant it!" Owen roared.

The color drained from Dad's face at once. He urged, "There are so many people here. Please, don't embarrass me, okay?"

But Owen's patience snapped. He jabbed a finger in Dad's face and spat, "Your son started this! You don't have any dignity to embarrass!

"If my dad weren't your brother, you think I'd even bother with relatives like you? Yeah, I didn't cup the flame on purpose. You should be grateful I let you light it at all. Bunch of broke losers!"

The insults kept piling on, and Dad's expression grew darker by the second.

Nearby, Uncle Peter let out a sigh, putting on a show as he said, "Owen, how can you talk to your elders like that?

"Don't mind him, everyone. He's had too much to drink. He's always like this in public, throwing his weight around just because he's made some money."

I shot Uncle Peter a glance. He sounded like he was scolding Owen, but in reality, he was propping up his son.

Owen slammed his hand down on the table, teeth clenched as he snarled, "You jerk! You really bet everything just to force a showdown with me, huh? Fine! Let's see your cards."

Just as he was about to flip his cards over, I asked, "When did I say I was going to show my hand?"

Owen froze, along with everyone else. He stared at me blankly. "You're not revealing them now?"

I shook my head.

That was the most terrifying part of the game. The first one to break and call for a showdown had to put in an extra stake.

But in this game, the stakes only escalated. We were already this deep, so anyone who wanted to force a reveal had to put up another one and a half million dollars.

I shrugged. "If you can't take it anymore, go ahead and show your hand. But put up the extra stake first."

Owen glared at me, fury blazing in his eyes. "You're just trying to push me into another bet. Even if I match you now, you won't be able to keep up in the next round. You just want to force me so I fold!"

"Think whatever you want. I'm just telling you I'm not revealing my cards. If you don't match, you're folding," I said flatly.