Chapter 280
Chapter 280 The Face-Off
The room fell silent; every gaze locked on the table as the air thickened with tension.
The dealer fanned the deck in a slow, deliberate motion to show there were no tricks before shuffling with sharp, practiced precision. The crisp slide of cards against the felt rang out, clean and steady.
With fluid, expert movements, the dealer cut and riffled the deck, the rhythmic snap of cards filling the room with a thrilling anticipation.
Lillian sat with calm composure, her expression serene; across from her, Janus lounged back in his chair, utterly indifferent, a trace of mockery gleaming in his eyes, as if the nothing to do with him.
The dealer dealt the hand.
Janus gestured toward her, his voice smooth. “Ladies first p>
game had
Without hesitation, Lillian slid her entire stack forward, her crimson lips parting slightly. “All in p>
A slow, easy smile tugged at his lips, scribbled out a figure to match her bet, and casually slid the slip across the table. His easy, unhurried movements, paired with that faint, teasing smile, drew sighs of admiration from the women gathered nearby.
The dealer burned a card, turned the river, and then, with a steady voice, announced, “Pair of sevens-winner p>
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
Janus, however, looked as unruffled as ever.
Second round-Lillian won again.
Janus chuckled, a glint of amusement in his eyes. “Didn’t think that your luck would be this good. I’ll admit defeat p>
Lillian smiled faintly. “You flatter me; thank you for letting me win p>
She was certain this man hadn’t approached her without a plan. Every round, his moves were casual, almost careless, as though winning or losing didn’t matter in the slightest. What exactly are you after?
“For the third round,” Janus said smoothly, “how about we change the game p>
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Lillian arched a brow, curiosity flickering in her gaze. “I’m listening p>
“Blackjack,” he suggested, lips curling into that same careless smile. “Closest to twenty-one wins. I imagine that shouldn’t be too difficult for you p>
A sharp intake of breath rippled through the crowd; this kind of game was something not just anyone could handle.
Lillian’s smile didn’t waver, her voice calm and steady. “Alright p>
The dealer brought out a fresh deck, cutting and shuffling with crisp, precise movements before placing it on the table. The center of the room seemed to shrink until only two players remained under the dazzling crystal chandelier above, its golden glow sharpening their already striking presence.
Lillian tilted her head slightly. “Gentlemen first, then p>
Janus didn’t hesitate. He rose from his chair, tall and lean, his height and build on par with an international model; the effortless way his casual outfit clung to him only added to his quiet, dangerous allure.
He strode to the table, one hand in his pocket, the other casually taking his cards as the dealer dealt. With a slow, deliberate flip, he revealed his first card, a subtle, teasing glint in his eyes as he gestured toward her.
The tension in the room spiked, heavy and electric; silence blanketed the crowd, so thick that no one noticed the group that had just entered the room.
Lillian stepped forward, her gaze flicking briefly to the spread of cards on Janus’ side of the table before her lips curved into a small, radiant smile. Under the lights, that smile dazzled- bright enough to steal the breath from everyone watching.
But in the next instant, the warmth vanished from her face; her eyes sharpened, cold and precise. She tapped her fingertips lightly against the felt, signaling for the dealer. The fresh deck snapped in the air as the shuffle began, the rhythmic slide of cards cutting through the thick silence.
The dealer dealt. With fluid, effortless precision, Lillian scooped up her cards, the movement sharp and seamless, leaving the crowd frozen in stunned quiet.
A single flick of her wrist, and her cards hit the table face down. She leaned back in her chair, calm and poised, her expression unreadable.
Even Janus couldn’t hide the flash of surprise in his eyes.
The teasing glint in his eyes dimmed, replaced by a rare edge of caution.
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Without a word, Lillian pushed her entire stack of chips forward once again.
Janus followed suit, sliding another check for an equal amount across the felt.
“You call first,” he said, his voice steady but lower now, almost taut.
Her eyes flicked to his cards. “Blackjack,” she said, her tone soft but unyielding.
Janus, gaze locked on her, replied evenly, “Twenty-one p>
The dealer paused for only a moment before reaching for the cards, ready to reveal the hands.
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Ruby Walker
Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.