Chapter 551

Hannah's heart plummeted like a stone dropped into deep water. She shook her head at once, refusing firmly. "Mr. Ward,I've never done this before, and I don't even know the rules.You already have professional dealers in your casino-let them handle it. I truly can't."

Brixton let out a low chuckle, laced with a sinister amusement."Ah,you didn't know that my charming female dealers have all been wiped out by Rodger." His words sounded casual, yet the undertone was colder than ice. "Take a look over there-they've already been tossed into the sea."

Hannah followed the gesture, and through the porthole,she saw men hurling lifeless women overboard, their bodies swallowed by the waves. Her eyes swept across the gambling hall once more. Aside from herself, not a single woman remained. A chill ran from the soles of her feet up her spine,leaving her skin crawling.

Rodger, evidently impatient, slammed his palm on the table with a thunderous crack. His glare was as sharp as daggers."What are you stalling for? Keep babbling and I'll kill you right now!"

Hannah's face drained of color, her fingers turning icy cold.She turned to Brixton, clinging to the fragile hope. "If I refuse, will I die?"

Brixton met her haunted gaze, his smile never wavering, though his voice cut like a blade. "Of course. Rodger won't spare you,and I won't tolerate a woman who dares to disobey. Fish food would be mercy compared to what awaits you."

Her heart sank into a pit of despair. There was no way out

Her heart sank into a pit of despair. There was no way out.Drawing in a deep breath, she swallowed her fear. "Give me a few minutes."

Leaning toward a man beside her, clearly a veteran gambler,she whispered in a rush, firing off questions about shuffling methods and the dealer's routine. Her thoughts raced at lightning speed, locking every word into memory with fierce determination.

Brixton, tapping his fingers idly against the table, watched her with quiet amusement, not urging her.

Rodger,on the other hand, burst out in impatience, "Enough!Hurry it up! Do you think I won't kill her this instant?"

Brixton lifted a hand smoothly, smiling as if soothing a child."Rodger, calm down. She's a valuable hostage with powerful connections. You can't just kill her. And besides, even a flower needs a little time to bloom. What's a few minutes?"

At last, Hannah lifted her head. Though herface remained pale,her eyes no longer wavered. She stepped to the center of the table, facing the two gang leaders, and said through taut breath,"I'm ready."

Brixton's lips curved with satisfaction. He turned to Rodger."Rodger, it's settled then-one round to determine the winner.The simplest rule-high card wins. If you lose, you and your men walk off my ship, and every debt is erased."

Rodger sneered, his eyes gleaming with greed and malice,"Fine!But if you lose, Brixton, your ship is mine. Do you dare?"

Brixton arched a brow, his tone smooth as silk. "Quite the appetite, Rodger. But aren't you afraid it'll be too much for you?"Leaning forward slightly, his gaze hardened. "Let's begin."

Every eye in the hall fixed upon Hannah.

Her palms grew slick with cold sweat, but she steadied her

Her palms grew slick with cold sweat, but she steadied her breathing, refusing to falter. She gathered the deck,recalling each step she had just learned, and though her motions were clumsy, they carried a desperate precision. She shuffled, cut,and placed the cards in the center, offering the final cut to the players.

Rodger gave a dismissive snort and sliced the deck carelessly.

Brixton, in contrast, merely tapped the stack with easy elegance, signaling he was content to leave it as it was. His gaze lingered with mock amusement on Hannah's strained profile.

Hannah drew in another breath and began dealing.

By the simplest rule, each player received two cards face down and then revealed them for comparison.

Card after card was dealt, landing in front of Brixton and Rodger.

"One more," Rodger said, tapping the table. He peeked at his pair of cards, clearly displeased.

Without hesitation, Hannah slid a third card his way.

Brixton chuckled and tapped lightly as well. "I'll take one too."

Brixton's eyes stayed locked on Rodger's.

Then, Brixton leaned back, his gesture almost polite. "Reveal your cards."