"Everything you see isn't always as it seems. Reality is complex, and true wisdom is rare. You can't judge someone by their appearance alone. Just like in a card game, players often bluff to create confusion. You won't uncover the truth until it reveals itself."
The next morning, Morgan awoke feeling dizzy. A walk on the beach might help clear his head. He recalled the previous night, where he had cried on his aunt's lap—though she was not his real mother, she was all he had. His friends were saddened too, but they did their best to change the mood. Morgan grabbed a towel and headed for the shower. After dressing, he ventured outside. The sun was high in the sky, and as he shielded his eyes, he noticed some kids playing with a suited man nearby. His dark hair and piercing eyes radiated an unusual aura, causing Morgan to feel disoriented. His vision went blank, and he staggered back to the hotel, collapsing onto the bed, hoping rest would make him feel better.
A few hours later, his family friends arrived and urged him to join them for shopping and relaxation. "Why do I have to go?" Morgan asked.
Jack replied, "We have family here. It'll be fun!"
Morgan's mother was excited as well. With a sigh, Morgan relented. "Fine, let's go."
They piled into the car, with Morgan driving and Jack beside him. During the drive, Morgan asked, "What are your plans for the next few days?"
Jack shrugged, "I don't have any plans."
Morgan, irritated, said, "We're on vacation, and you didn't plan anything?"
"Nope," Jack replied, indifferent.
Noor chimed in, "I have a plan. We'll buy our favorite things, watch movies, go to Disneyland, eat as much as possible while maintaining our diet, and spend time at the beach with sunscreen."
Morgan interrupted, "Okay, okay, I get it. Stop right there."
Noor persisted, "No, that's not the end. I'm here to have fun."
The group bickered about their plans until they reached the massive Great American Mall. Inside, Morgan enjoyed a coffee while scrolling through his phone. He saw a post about a recent blast where people were trying to stop the fire. Jack returned, his arms laden with shopping bags.
"Look at all this stuff! My wife bought everything she wanted!" Jack said, annoyed.
Morgan laughed. "You look funny with all those bags!"
Jack tossed a bag at Morgan. "Why are you laughing?"
Morgan responded, "My bad. You just look funny."
Curious, Morgan asked, "Is there a casino here?"
Jack was confused. "Why are you asking?"
Morgan replied, "When I was young, this place was under construction, and I saw a room marked as a casino. Is it still there?"
Jack's interest was piqued. "Yes, it's still here. Want to check it out?"
Morgan immediately declined. "No, thanks."
Jack asked, "Then why the question?"
Morgan said, "Just curious. People waste their money on such things."
Morgan shook his head in disappointment. "It's a waste of time and money."
Others joined the conversation. "What's up?" they asked.
Jack grinned. "Morgan wants to hit the casino."
Morgan raised an eyebrow. "When did I say that?"
Despite his reluctance, his friends convinced him to visit the casino. After some persuasion, Morgan agreed to try one game. He asked for $100, and they headed inside, leaving their mother and Jack's wife behind to eat.
Inside, a guide welcomed them. "This is the world's third-largest and most luxurious casino. We offer every type of gambling game, including custom ones."
"Custom games?" they asked, intrigued.
The guide explained, "You can create your own game with a contract, but both players must agree. Otherwise, forced participation can lead to jail."
They were led to the largest floor of the casino, centered around a table called the Big Board Roulette. The guide asked them to scan a QR code, which connected their phones to a virtual casino table where thousands of players participated. Scanning the QR code blocked all other apps and calls until they left. Morgan scanned the code and connected his phone.
Morgan inquired about the smaller tables. The guide explained, "Those are for smaller bets. The Big Board is made of pure gold and is prestigious."
Curious, Morgan asked about the rules. The guide outlined, "Choose your numbers, place your bets, and hope the ball lands on one of your numbers. No cheating allowed. If caught, your bet is split among other players."
Skeptical, Morgan asked, "What if the dealer cheats?"
The guide assured him, "Dealers don't cheat. If they do, players receive four times their bet back."
Deciding to try his luck, Morgan exchanged $200 for chips. He whispered something to Noor and played confidently but lost all his money. The guide laughed. "Bad luck. Want more chips?"
Determined, Morgan requested $200,000 and an appointment with the manager. His friends were shocked. "How do you have so much money?" they asked.
Morgan replied, "I'm taking out a loan."
Jack asked the guide, "Can he really get a loan?"
The guide confirmed, "Yes, but I can't take you to the manager."
Morgan insisted, "You will."
Whispering something in the guide's ear, Morgan then told Noor, "Don't mention anything."
The guide, now nervous, led them to a private room. Once inside, Morgan laid out his strategy and challenged the manager to a blackjack game. Initially dismissive, the manager grew angry but agreed after the guide whispered to him.
The game began. Despite a strong start, Morgan eventually lost. The manager gloated, "Satisfied? You lost without any cheating."
Morgan revealed he still had money and placed his chain, watch, and phone on the table. He showed a video exposing the casino's cheating methods. The manager's face turned pale as he realized the gravity of the situation.
Morgan spoke calmly, "This is Jack's phone I'm using." Jack suddenly screamed, "When did you get my phone?!"
Morgan continued, "Jack is always careless with his phone. Before scanning, I took his phone and scanned it instead of mine. I gave my phone to a friend who recorded everything. I noticed the board method used for cheating and wanted proof. The Big Board is surrounded by small boards, and the screen above is not for the players but for the dealers. The dealers control the ball according to their benefit. You're the mastermind behind it. Good plan, but poor strategy."
Morgan taunted, "So, did I win?"
The manager, scared, handed over a large check and four times the cash. Morgan added, "And what about the tax?"
The manager agreed to cover the tax. Morgan thanked him sarcastically, "You're so kind!"
Holding $800,000, Morgan returned to his friends, who were amazed. They celebrated by shopping, buying the best items in the mall. However, Morgan couldn't shake a strange feeling and stepped outside to smoke. He noticed a man and approached him, asking, "Big win?"
The man replied, "No, but I might withdraw to avoid losses."
Morgan asked, "Can you give me a treat? Half is enough."
The man grew angry. "Who are you, and why should I give you a treat? Stop bluffing and leave."
Morgan coolly responded, "I'm here to play." He revealed his badge, "Police?"
The man looked frightened. "You're here for money laundering, aren't you?"
Morgan's gaze was cold. The man handed over half his chips. Morgan took them and thanked him.
Jack and Noor asked, "Aren't you going to arrest him? Money laundering is a crime."
Morgan replied, "I'm on vacation. He bribed me, so I can't do anything."
As he left, Morgan crossed paths with Leon, Manabu, and their group. Leon looked at him with cold eyes, making Morgan uneasy. The man disappeared, and Morgan left with his family.
Later that night, Morgan called Jack aside. "Can I ask you something?"
Jack, puzzled, replied, "Sure, what's up?"
Morgan asked, "Do you think someone is spying on us or maybe planning to kill us like an assassin?"
Jack responded, "Why would someone do that?"
Morgan explained, "Today, I saw a guy watching us with a cold, dead stare. It scared me. I haven't felt this kind of fear in a long time."
Meanwhile, in a dark, shadowy room, a man was tied up supported by a small chair. Leon was there, enjoying his crying scream from the shadows and kicked the chair away. The man pleaded for his life repeatedly , but Leon remained unfazed. "Sorry, buddy, but you have to die," he said coldly, Leon kicked the small chair watching as the man suffocated. After the man's death, Leon took out a black spray can and scrawled
"I QUIT" on the wall.