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Greg Dalmatian sprang to his feet, making his chair topple over. His confused stare darted from the revealed cards to Ronnie. Where was the losing set he was supposed to deal out to Tyler? How did it magically turn into the highest-ranked hand in Poker?“What the fuck is this, Ronnie?!”“Sir… I… I…” the dealer stammered in alarm.The spectators watching the game intently also shuffled back from the center table. Their gossip escalated to a roaring buzz.“Did the guy just win a jackpot?”“Casinos? Over a hundred forty million dollars?”“I told you Lady Luck favored him!”However, Greg Dalmatian was on a completely different page.“Youuuu!” he roared at Tyler, pointing an accusatory finger at him. “You’re a cheat! A fraud! There’s no way you could suddenly get a five of a kind!”Tyler looked rather unperturbed by the accusation. “We played with your rules, your dealer, your pack of cards, and your casino. How did I cheat?”The young man’s defensive explanation made sense. There were ove
The entire hall was shocked into silence as Jerry Kramer and Serpico dropped dead. They were two of the Big Three that ruled over and terrorized Peridot City. A collective gasp echoed. Everyone was astonished that the lives of such bigwigs were snuffed out like commoners."What have you done, you bastards!" Greg Dalmatian screamed at his men in exasperation. "Are you blind or drunk?!"The four guards exchanged confused glances among themselves and checked their guns for defects. There was no issue with the pistol barrels."Sir, we fired our guns directly at Tyler!" one of them explained in alarm. "Mr. Kramer and Mr. Serpico weren't even in our lines of fire!"The guards were correct in their assessment because their bullets had undoubtedly swung away from Tyler to hit the duo.Greg growled aloud; he was having none of it. "Fools! Wastes of space! Where are the rest of you? Come out!"More of Greg, Serpico, and Jerry's underlings stepped out of the crowd, armed and loaded."Shoot again
Wally had joined Greg’s casino group as an intern. Within a month, the gangster realized the boy was an incredible genius in accounting and management. His talents could be used to launder his black money.Greg generously offered Wally a high salary to work for him full-time. He also promised attractive trafficked girls to sleep with. In other words, the young man could live like a king if he agreed to sell his soul.However, Wally’s conscience made him reject the offer. He wanted to escape the whirlpool of illicit activities and businesses.Greg would have none of that. The gangster tortured him and threatened to kill his parents. At this point, poor Wally had no choice but to stay and work like a slave.“Oh, that pathetic sob story of yours!” Greg fired back at Wally in a mocking tone. “I had forgotten you had a life outside this casino!”The gangster shot him a derisive look. “Do you want my casinos? Good luck trying to kill me with your frail body when my armed men outnumber you a
A collective gasp echoed in the Secret Lair of the Bellagio Casino. It was as if the people gathered—the bureaucrats, politicians, mafiosos, businessmen, and other bigwigs of Peridot City realized an era had ended.The previous owner, the mighty Greg Dalmatian, who terrorized the city, was dead. His end was pathetic, tripping over his own toes and impaling himself over a cue stick."Some ribbons tie themselves," Tyler said without emotion. Wally immediately ordered the casino staff to remove the corpse and scrub the scene.It was not the first time the young man had to clean up a bloody mess. Greg Dalmatian, owing to his murderous proclivities, forced him to dispose of corpses almost every day. It was ironic that the gangster ended up becoming the corpse himself.The spectators present were asked to return to their tables and continue playing as long as no illicit bets were made.Tyler turned to Wally. The young man looked quite traumatized by the attack on his life. Greg had almost s
Wally panicked, as did everyone else who heard him. They thought Tyler was a stranger to Peridot City and, therefore, unaware of its lurking dangers. However, the citizens knew how ruthless the Brambles Gang was as their men terrorized them daily. The gang neither forgot nor forgave. They retaliated almost immediately. The Brambles Gang paid back every slight, offense, and attack a thousandfold. All those who supported Greg Dalmatian’s downfall or did nothing to prevent it were likely to be tortured and killed mercilessly. However, Tyler looked completely unperturbed by the news of their arrival. “Is the door locked?” he asked casually. Wally was confused by the irrelevant question. “Sir, I don’t understand…” “I asked whether the security door that admits people into the Secret Lair is locked.” The young man scratched his head anxiously. Did Tyler expect to stay holed up in the gambling den forever? Why did it matter whether the door was locked or open? It was time to escape, rega
Tyler wasted no time. He rode his bike at breakneck speed and reached Sapphire City by early morning. The new Grant house was in the foothills tier of Sterling Hill and was quite affordable, considering the neighborhood. Even though it wasn’t spacious or sprawling like a mansion, it had a beautiful garden and a congenial atmosphere. However, when Tyler reached the house, he found it boarded up and a FOR SALE signpost on the lawn. Derek Sentinel was right; his family had disappeared. Tyler rushed to the security gate and questioned the guards about the matter. “Sir, your family home was in the Foothills tier?” the chief of security asked in surprise. We assumed they were living in Prince’s Cove.” “Did you see who took them?” “Sir, they left of their own volition. But…” “But what?” “Sir, one of our patrol guards saw a stranger in a luxury car going towards your family home. After he returned, your parents packed up their things and left within a few hours.” Tyler narrowed his ey
Isabella and Tyler were childhood friends. They grew up together in Maude Street and were inseparable as kids.The duo were such close friends that ten-year-old Tyler often told Isabella playfully that he’d marry her once they grew up. The little girl would giggle and immediately agree to the proposition.However, the two were abruptly separated when Isabella’s family sent her to boarding school. The youngsters tried to stay in touch over the phone but eventually forgot about each other’s existence.“Mom, how could you decide on my bride without consulting me?” Tyler asked with irritation. “Besides, aren’t we both too young to get married?”Ruth shook her head lightly and looked into her son’s eyes expectantly. “I’m not asking you to marry Isabella right away. You can begin with whatever you young folks call dating. In a few months, we can arrange the wedding..”Tyler sighed and rubbed his temples. “If Isabella has indeed returned to Sapphire City, I will meet her. But I am neither go
Paul cast a stern glance at Lena, signaling her to back off. But the woman wouldn't budge. He turned to his friend apologetically."I'm sorry for my wife's rude behavior, Hughie. She is tense because of our worsening financial condition. I can't hire Tyler or offer him any help with jobs."Hugh lowered his eyes in embarrassment. "I understand. You don't need to explain."Lena narrowed her eyes at the young man. "As far as I remember, Tyler went to Sapphire University and secured campus placement in a decent company, right? Why would he seek a job at a butcher shop? That sounds suspicious to me."Hugh shifted in his seat uncomfortably. "I have a confession, too. Tyler got into some trouble with a billionaire family after graduation. He was arrested, convicted, and sent to prison for three years. Now that he served his time, I am looking for gainful employment on his behalf.""Oh, your son is an ex-convict?" Lena snapped with derision. "He's unlikely to get a job in this climate. These