The atmosphere in the gambling hall was electric, as if the air itself was anticipating the outcome of this confrontation. Everyone was watching the table that brought Elizabeth and William together, like two players in a chess match, each testing the other's patience.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4i11MXSLPy
The cards were dealt again. William didn't look directly at his cards, but left them face down for a while, as if he didn't need them. Instead, he watched Elizabeth, smiling, watching how she held her cards, how she breathed, and how she concealed her emotions.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zlKxKKO59
🃏 William (leaning back in his chair, fiddling with his chips): "Do you know what the first lesson in real gambling is, Elizabeth?"
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ6dTDcclvi
♠ Elizabeth (looking at him without flinching): "That you don't just play with cards, but with brains."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb2O8s6AV8
🃏 William (smiling lightly): "Exactly. But there's something deeper than that... Gambling isn't just a game of chance; it's the art of convincing the other person they're in control, when in fact they're dancing to your tune."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu4aABZVrIB
♠ Elizabeth (quietly): "So, is that what you're doing to me now? Trying to make me think I'm in control when I'm in your grip?"
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBNs99luc8
🃏 William (leaning forward, his voice getting quieter): "The more important question is: Are you in my grip, or am I in yours?"
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi19YklGztx
The stakes were starting to mount, the gambling chips were piling up on the table, the other players' faces were tense, and Elizabeth and William were playing another game within the game—the long game, the game of reading eyes and minds.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn051BivOJT
On the other side, John was watching silently. He didn't like the way it was going. William knew all too well—he knew how to slowly eat away at his opponents, how to infiltrate their minds, how to make them doubt themselves.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqts3hHEJx
♠ John (whispering to Madeleine, who sat nearby, curiously watching the scene): "You should stop playing with him."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNDN6CliVKI
❤️ Madeleine (laughing lightly, without taking her eyes off the table): "Elizabeth isn't like the others, John. I think she enjoys this game as much as William does."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsVJUwhIwWF
♠ John (visibly concerned): "That's what scares me."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSeraM7zLR
At the table, Elizabeth placed her chips steadily, her gaze never wavering.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1djF7d3F4
♠ Elizabeth (quietly, looking directly into his eyes): "I think you rely too much on the idea that you know people, but have you ever considered that you might meet someone you can't read?"
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVAcRfNGVDw
🃏 William (smiling, then tilting his head slightly as if thinking): "Interesting... You're turning the tables on me, but are you doing it because you're really strong? Or because you're afraid of what I might discover about you?"
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE3FmRpjStK
♠ Elizabeth (smiling confidently, raising her eyebrow slightly): "And why not both?"
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQyPJOZlWE
For the first time since the start of the game, William's expression changed. It wasn't one of defeat, but of realization—he had found a real opponent.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr9hFapQEJR
The final round was about to be decided, and the bettors around them were eagerly awaiting the outcome. But suddenly, before the cards were revealed, there was a loud crash.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALA0WGnVZX
Everyone turned to see John standing there, his face pale, staring at his empty hands—all his chips gone. He'd lost everything.
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEVpTZY4SCe
🃏 William (looking at him impassively): "Looks like luck wasn't on your side tonight, John."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Pz8DnBhf6
♠ Elizabeth (stirring up, looking at John anxiously): "How much did you lose?"
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8VtM87DQoM
♠ John (whispering, as if choking on words): "Everything."
261Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMHiHLWQdpd
At this moment, gambling was no longer just a game. It had become a real risk, and it was clear that someone was going to lose in a way no one had expected.
ns216.73.216.238da2
