With cautious and well-paced betting, leveraging his previous winnings, coming out ahead at a high-end casino with a million wasn't an issue for Russell, nor would it attract undue attention. However, he underestimated a third party: the throngs of gamblers in the hall. Driven by greed, they wouldn't hesitate to follow a winning streak.
A particularly rotund middle-aged man placed bets that even surpassed Russell's.
"Damn! Am I working for free here?"
After a big game where he bet fifty thousand on small, Russell decided to pause. His bankroll had increased to 3.3 million, netting a profit of 2.8 million. However, he was far from his million-dollar goal.
"This won't do. Continuing like this will only bring unwanted attention." Gambling isn't a sustainable path, and Russell didn't want a temporary gamble to embroil him in endless trouble. He was on a path of great potential, lacking only time to grow. He wouldn't risk that for temporary gains.
Casting a glance at those watching him, particularly the greedy middle-aged man who had already won a million by following him, Russell couldn't help but smirk. "If you're greedy, don't blame me for being ungracious."
Next, he abandoned conservative bets and started wagering on specific numbers, putting down ten thousand each round without winning a single one over eight consecutive rounds. Consequently, those who followed suit drastically reduced their bets, cursing their bad luck. If glares could kill, Russell would have been devoured.
But who cared? Russell felt no pressure. If they didn't stop, they would eventually lose even their small gains.
"You still have it or not, kid? You're screwing me over here," finally barked the greedy man, unable to hold back his complaints.
"Heh... I'm just playing around, never intended to win," Russell replied without anger, his nonchalance infuriating bystanders.
"Damn, and here I thought he was a pro. Turns out he's just lucky. Good thing I stopped. This rich kid's luck has run out. Following him will only end badly..."
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Seriously, betting on numbers? Who does he think he is, God of Gamblers Gao Jin? Not everyone has money to burn like that,” dismissed a woman. Yet she didn’t notice the irony, her appearance far from the young “sister” she fancied herself to be, her heavily powdered face flaking off as she talked.
Human nature showed its true colors, and Russell hadn't asked anyone to follow his bets. Now, as the losses mounted, derisive comments surfaced. Russell could only shrug it off, ignoring the complaints around him.
While the rotund man hesitated, a couple approached the table.
"Messiah, let's go check if my dad has blown through that million yet."
Coincidentally, it was Huo Liang and Messiah, whom Russell had encountered at the mall a couple of days prior. After his embarrassing stumble there, Huo Liang realized Messiah was losing interest. To keep her around, he flaunted his father's wealth.
As the only child and grandchild, beloved by his mother and grandparents, Huo Liang was the real power at home, not his father. To prove his family's wealth, he begged and pleaded until his frugal father agreed to a Macau trip, hoping to impress Messiah.
"Hah, spending tens of thousands on that Armani crap is nothing. My dad spends over a million in Macau without batting an eye," Huo Liang boasted, trying to convince Messiah of his family's wealth.
However, the mall incident had already convinced Messiah otherwise. She realized this so-called "prince" was unreliable. She understood that relying on Huo Liang was a gamble she wasn’t willing to take. The thought of settling for someone who loved her rather than someone she loved had briefly crossed her mind. Despite his foibles, his family was better off than most.
But witnessing Huo Liang’s incompetence, Messiah knew she could never marry him, no matter how desperate she became. While pondering, a vivid image of a different man appeared—a tall, handsome figure far better than Huo Liang. As she thought this through, her gaze inadvertently settled.
"Am I crazy, daydreaming about him here? How could he be in Macau? From southern Beijing to Macau, it'd take hours even by plane."
Unable to believe her eyes, Messiah blinked again and looked. She hadn’t been mistaken. That man, his unforgettable bodyguard, and the latest Armani suit that embarrassed Huo Liang confirmed she wasn’t imagining things.
Huo Liang, trying to continue his pitch, had also spotted Russell.
How could he miss him? Russell wasn't far from Huo Liang's father, and the pile of black and silver crystal chips before him dazzled his eyes more than any gaudy display of wealth.
"That pile of chips must be worth several million," Huo Liang thought. While seeing such stacks occasionally happened in the public gaming hall, it wasn’t common. After all, the truly wealthy played in VIP rooms.
Both Huo Liang and Messiah were stunned by the sight of not one ordinary chip among the piles of crystalline chips. While many might have millions in accounts, seeing it physically piled as chips was quite stirring for them both.