Chapter 9 : Gambling

Five hours ago....

Ethan sat alone at the dimly lit bar, his fingers tightly gripping a tumbler of whiskey. The amber liquid swished around as his hand trembled, a reflection of the inner turmoil he was experiencing. His sister Riley had snatched the lucrative contract that he had been desperately vying for, leaving him feeling utterly defeated and humiliated.

"How could she do this to me?" Ethan muttered under his breath, knocking back the entire contents of the glass in one burning gulp. The alcohol provided a brief respite from the sting of his wounded pride, but it did little to assuage the deep-seated resentment he harbored towards Riley.

As Ethan signaled the bartender for a refill, a well-dressed man sidled up next to him, eyeing him with an inquisitive gaze. "Rough day, my friend?" the stranger inquired, his voice smooth and almost sympathetic.

Ethan eyed the man warily, unsure of his intentions. "You could say that," he replied, his tone terse.

The stranger chuckled, taking the seat next to Ethan. "I couldn't help but notice your, shall we say, _frustration_ from across the room. Perhaps I can be of assistance?"

Ethan's brow furrowed. "What kind of assistance are you offering?" he asked, his curiosity piqued despite his better judgment.

"Well now, I couldn't help but overhear about your, ah, _situation_ with your sister," the man said, leaning in conspiratorially. "I happen to have some...connections that could help you even the score, if you're so inclined."

Ethan's grip on the glass tightened as he considered the stranger's words. The temptation to exact revenge on Riley was overwhelming, and the possibility of an opportunity to do so was intriguing. "I'm listening," he said, his voice low.

The man smiled, sensing Ethan's interest. "My name is Drax, and I happen to run a rather _lucrative_ business venture. One that could prove quite...beneficial to someone in your position."

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "What kind of business venture are we talking about?"

Drax's grin widened. "Let's just say I have a knack for making people's problems...disappear. For the right price, of course."

Ethan's heart raced as the implications of Drax's words sank in. "Are you suggesting...?"

Drax held up a hand, cutting him off. "Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves. I simply have a proposition that could help you regain what you've lost - and then some."

Ethan hesitated, his morals warring with his desire for retribution. But the allure of Drax's offer was too strong to resist. "What did you have in mind?"

Drax leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming. "How would you like to try your hand at a little...gambling?"

Ethan's brow furrowed. "Gambling? What does that have to do with-"

"Hear me out," Drax interrupted, raising a hand. "I happen to have a rather _exclusive_ casino, one where the stakes are high but the rewards can be...astronomical. And I believe you, my friend, have the potential to turn a significant profit."

Ethan's mind raced as he considered the proposition. The thought of winning big and rubbing it in Riley's face was immensely appealing. "How much are we talking about?"

Drax chuckled, sensing Ethan's growing interest. "Let's just say that a single winning bet could set you up for life. All you have to do is trust me."

Ethan hesitated for a moment, his better judgment warring with his desire for revenge. But the lure of financial security and the chance to one-up his sister was too strong to resist. "Alright, I'm in," he said, downing the rest of his whiskey.

Drax grinned, clapping Ethan on the back. "Excellent! Let's get you started, shall we?

**********

Over the next few hours, Ethan found himself drawn deeper and deeper into Drax's world of high-stakes gambling. He made a series of risky bets, each one more daring than the last, and to his astonishment, he began to win. First it was a modest sum, then a larger one, and finally, a staggering $100,000 on a single hand of blackjack.

Ethan felt a surge of exhilaration as the chips were pushed towards him, his heart racing with the thrill of the win. He had never experienced anything like this before, and the rush was intoxicating.

Drax watched with a satisfied smirk, seeing the transformation in Ethan's demeanor. "I told you, my friend," he said, leaning in. "This is just the beginning. Why don't you try your luck again?"

Ethan hesitated for a moment, but the allure of the win was too strong. He pushed the $100,000 stack of chips back onto the table, his eyes gleaming with a newfound confidence. "Let's do it," he said, his voice resolute.

The next few hands were a blur, with Ethan's luck seemingly holding steady. But then, suddenly, the tide turned. A series of bad bets and unlucky draws left him reeling, his once-substantial winnings dwindling rapidly.

Panic set in as Ethan watched helplessly, his heart sinking as the chips disappeared from the table. He turned to Drax, his eyes wide with desperation. "What's happening? Why can't I win?"

Drax shrugged, an infuriating calm in his demeanor. "The house always wins, my friend," he said, his tone almost pitying. "But you know, there are always...other options."

Ethan's brow furrowed, his mind racing. "What do you mean?"

Drax leaned in, his voice low and conspiratorial. "I may have a way for you to recoup your losses. But it will cost you."

Ethan's heart pounded in his chest as he listened, his desperation overriding his better judgment. "I'll do anything," he said, his voice trembling.

Drax's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Excellent."