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“I must say, it is an honor to play against the renowned Dr. Richter. It has been a while since I’ve been backed into a corner like this.”
Vyn and Rosa are currently in one of the biggest casinos in Stellis, Fortuna. This is just part of their current NXX investigation. A prestigious businesswoman has been found dead inside a five-star hotel in Stellis, overdosed by an unknown drug. The pair decided to look deeper into this case, which later led them to this casino.
Blackford, current owner of the Fortuna Casino. He has the tendency to disguise himself as one of his casino’s dealers and is suspected to win against players with underhanded means. They are still in their early stages of their investigation when Blackford unashamedly revealed himself to be the accomplice of this case’s key suspect and is deeply connected to Heirson.
Rosa is severely lacking in evidence that would put Blackford in justice, so Vyn took up the dealer’s dangerous bargain.
Blackford's offer is simple: defeat him in nine rounds of blackjack and he will give up all evidence that will send him straight to prison. Ledgers of stolen money, footage of his criminal acts and many more. However, if he prevails, Vyn's life will be his to control.
The two are currently tied in a draw, each winning 4 showdowns in the previous turns. Whoever wins this round takes all of the “chips.” It is all or nothing.
Blackford played with his tie, amusement brimming in his eyes. “Shall we switch it up a bit? This time, I will be revealing my cards.”
Vyn mirrored his expression. “Oh? What an interesting offer. Feel free to do so.”
It is a bold proposal and he certainly changed the game but who cares at this point? They are already too deep into this game, already in its climax! And most of all, the game is as good as his.
The deck of cards they used in this game is marked with a special ink. The cards marked with ink are the kings, queens and jacks. In this way, he can predict how his opponent would play and even discreetly manipulate them. On top of that, he has been card counting, a technique not entirely illegal but it could result in getting banned by the casino. It doesn’t look like his opponent is also skilled with card counting so this gives him even more advantage.
He knows what Vyn’s cards are: a queen of hearts and a 6 of diamonds. If Vyn chooses to hit, then he’ll draw a 2 of spades. It is too risky to draw another card again so he is certain that the psychiatrist would stand. The round would end and he would win.
This whole time, he is in control of the game! Give them a sliver of hope and he’ll crush it without a care in the world, relishing as their faces slowly twist into horror.
In one swift motion, Blackford’s cards are flipped and revealed.
A jack of spades, a 3 of clubs and a 6 of hearts: a total of 19 points.
The owner is already expecting a hint of nervousness to flash in Vyn’s eyes but his opponent is as calm as ever, unlike his partner sitting beside him. It is clear that Rosa is on the edge of her seat, the gears on her mind working on overdrive to search even for the tiniest loophole she can use to turn the situation around. Her hands are trembling and anxiously tapped against her thigh, the air around her is radiating with distress.
Yes, this is the image he wanted to see.
But then, a masculine hand rested atop of Rosa’s shaky hands. He glanced a little to the side and saw Vyn smile at her in reassurance, whispering words that he could not understand due to the volume of his voice. It looks like it worked for the woman in red relaxed in her seat, giving her lover a nod of encouragement, their hands holding each other tighter.
Blackford scoffed. ‘What a caring boyfriend.’
Vyn turned his attention back to the dealer and gave him a mystic smile. “Now, where were we? Ah yes, hit.”
Bingo.
The dealer grabbed the first card on the deck and slid it to Vyn’s direction. The doctor took a peak at the cards he is currently holding and a hint of a smirk appeared on his face.
What?
Vyn coughed into his fist and flashed the owner a knowing smile. “Allow me to give you a word of advice: If you are going to put your whole life on the line, it would be in your best interests to prepare yourself for the consequences.”
What? Why is he confident? He should be frowning in distaste right now, should. Did he figure something out?
Did he, perhaps, see right through his tricks?!
The doctor’s smirk grew wider. “A deck of cards marked with special ink; did you really think I am that easy? Heh, how conceited of you.”
“I-I did not mark the cards!”
Vyn only shook his head in disappointment, his eyes full of mirth. “Please do not lie to a psychiatrist. It is very disrespectful.” With that, he lazily flipped his last card.
His hand reveals a queen of hearts, a 6 of diamonds and a 4 of clubs: a total of 20 points.
It is his win.
Blackford froze on the spot. He can’t believe it! After all of the tricks he has used, he still lost…
“It appears that you have lost, Mr. Blackford. As per our agreement, we will be taking all of your files now.” A smile laced with mirth curled on Vyn’s lips, clearly mocking him. “You have been far too confident in your cheap tricks, too focused on conjuring up whatever sick outcome you had hoped to happen once you win the game that you have failed to notice the tricks of my own. Have you forgotten? I am a psychiatrist; mind games are the ones that I play best.”
The dealer is in a daze. Vyn is unsure if he could still be understood by the man in front of him but he did not care, what matters is that the casino owner is still listening. After all, Blackford has plenty of time to ponder over his words once he is in prison.
“In a society such as this, money and life are the same. No one in their right mind would even dare to gamble their lives to such simple games. And yet, people derive pleasure from the pleasure of risking everything they have. Indeed, insanity is the essence of gambling. And this is what makes it all the more alluring, both to fools like you and psychiatrists like me.” Vyn rested his palms against the table and leaned forward, making sure that his face would be burned into Blackford’s memories. “Right before the game started, you have already damned yourself.”
He turned his face away from the defeated mess in front of him and moved to gather the hard drives and ledgers that he won, presenting them to Rosa with his usual loving smile. “Here are the files that my lady requires.”
“Thank you, Vyn. The key evidence is in our hands; it will be extremely hard for the prosecution to refute this one!”
The owner can only weakly slump against the table. What an utter fool he has been! If only he removed a few cards from the deck, Vyn wouldn’t have enough points to beat him. He lost by a mere point, a mere point! So close, he was so close from having it all. He could not hear the couple’s conversation; he is too preoccupied by the what-ifs and his lost chances to bring his opponent down.
“Anything for you, love. Now then, shall we leave?”
“A moment please…”
Rosa stepped forth and faced the man. The way she carried herself with a domineering and righteous aura had him shaking in his knees, as if he was in the presence of Themis herself. Her stare is full of icy rage, it is clear that she has no mercy to give for a scum like him. “We shall see you in court, Mr. Blackford.”
Just like that, the two turned to leave with Vyn’s arm wrapped protectively around Rosa’s waist. As the two languidly made their way to the casino’s exit, Vyn turned to look back with a smile full of scorn, waving the flash drive he had gambled mockingly.
Blackford could only hiss in shame and anger; he has lived for the thrill of risking his whole life in table games and now that the end of his lavish life is drawing near, fear and despair slowly squeezes every drop of joy he has experienced.
The dealer may have all of the cards, but Vyn single handedly turned them against him.