Janice was a little surprised to hear Nicole's words, but she happily accepted the woman's offer. "What do you want to bet on?"
"White Jade Vermilion Bird-Shaped Lamp, from Han Dynasty." Nicole answered, "I think it was made around …"
"202 BC-AD 8, it's sold in 2019 Autumn Auctions in Hongkong." Director Li smoothly continued Nicole's words. "Is that what you were talking about?" He asked carefully and with a tense expression.
Nicole nodded her head and smiled faintly at Director Li, as if confirming the half-bald man's statement. "The auction cost is around two point five million US dollars." Nicole explained, "I will put the Lamp as our bet, in addition to Director Wu's 10% share of Wei Sheng."
Janice didn't know whether to be happy or jealous when Nicole said that. But one thing was for sure, she couldn't stay still when the woman increased her bet. "Then, I will also increase my stake in Lai Ting by 10%."
As the words left Janice's mouth, the people standing around them gasped. "Are you sure about what you just said, Miss Janice?" Nicole asked, raising an eyebrow, as shocked as everyone else there.
Just as Director Li seemed to want to say something, apparently directed at Janice. The woman instead replied in a louder voice, "Yes. You can take all my shares."
'Insane!' Nicole muttered to herself. No, perhaps the right word for Janice would be, nuts. Did she realize what she had just said? Shouldn't she consult with Lai Ting's Director to make such a decision? Because, if 20% of the shares were transferred to Nicole, it would automatically make her one of Lai Ting's Directors with the power to make decisions on all matters concerning the company.
"If that's what you believe, then I'll simply go along with it," Nicole said with a smirk on her lips.
"Good," Janice replied shortly.
While the deal had been agreed upon by both people at the table, Director Li seemed to be starting to panic about how he should deal with this. On one hand, he wanted to try to make Janice aware of the fatal consequences of her words, but it seemed like all of that would be a futile effort, seeing how strong Janice's determination was from her two eyes to defeat the woman in front of her. However, Director Li also felt that he could not just stand by and watch the tragedy happen there, so the other way he could do was to persuade the other players.
"Miss Nicole, I have something to tell you." Director Li said quickly and hurriedly, "For your information, Janice has never lost a single hand at this table. In fact, in all the time I have known her, Janice has never lost a single hand in a Poker game with other professional players."
Director Li flashed a fake smile at Nicole, revealing his perfectly aligned, artificial teeth. "I just want to make sure you carefully consider your decision to continue playing this game. Perhaps it would be better to end it now?" He let out a forced laugh and gaze darted around the room as if he was searching for reassurance from those present. "In games, it's normal to lose. It's nothing to be embarrassed about if you lose every now and then."
"Director Li, I would feel deeply disappointed if I lost. Director Wu has gone out on a limb for me so that I could win this game. It feels disrespectful to withdraw when he is here supporting me." Nicole's face contorted with hurt.
"No… No… No…" Director Li answered quickly while waving both hands, "I'm just saying that, you need to think carefully before making a decision, because Director Wu is also here." Then he glanced at the young man who seemed a little unhappy with his previous words.
However, the bet had already been placed on the table, meaning it was too late to withdraw it. Furthermore, when Director Li finished speaking, the person Nicole had asked for help had already returned to the room carrying an expensive old-fashioned rectangular box that seemed to hold something valuable inside. Then, when the box was opened, everyone's eyes were drawn to the object where the precious lamp that Director Li had just described was indeed there.
Seeing Director Li's stunned expression looking at the lamp that made his mouth wide open involuntarily, made Nicole realize that she and Wu Zhaoyi had successfully caught two fish in their trap. "Then, Director Li, can we continue?" Nicole asked kindly.
"Yes.. Yes..," Director Li answered slowly with his gaze still fixed on the lamp without blinking at all. "Do whatever you like."
The room was now filled with tense anticipation as the final round began. Based on their previous game, it seemed like Janice had the upper hand with her relaxed demeanor. But Nicole had a sudden idea on how to make things more interesting. "How about we add a part stating that the loser must fulfill any wish of the winner's choosing? Adding an extra requirement since we're already betting money."
Janice appeared slightly confused, but the suggestion didn't seem too bad. After a moment of consideration, she readily accepted Nicole's last condition without any need for persuasion. With that, the final round commenced, becoming Janice's eternal nightmare that would haunt her for years to come.
The Dealer shuffled the deck and dealt out the final game's cards to each player. Janice received her hand and her eyes widened as she looked at it, a huge smile spreading across her face. Nicole couldn't help but notice that it was possibly the biggest smile she had ever seen on Janice's face during their time together working.
"Shan Jie~, I remember you once told me that the chance of getting a Royal Flush is 1 in 650,000." Janice said in an arrogant tone, "What I want to tell you is, I have one of the Royal Flush series."
When Nicole saw Janice, she couldn't help but see a younger, more naive version of herself. She used to be so full of confidence and control, always thinking that everything and everyone could be manipulated to her advantage. It wasn't until later that she realized how much luck played a role in the course of events. Now, she has learned to let go and accept whatever comes her way instead of constantly fighting against it. Over the past ten years, she's found someone dear to defend, making her more cautious in both words and actions.
"As Director Li said just now, I have never lost a single time playing at this table. Therefore, as a friend who was once close to you, I suggest that you withdraw to minimize the losses incurred by Director Wu." Janice gaze shifted again behind Nicole, where she realized that Wu Zhaoyi was standing there. It seemed that the man had managed to attract Janice's attention, as well as several other women around them.
"Good, then I'll be the first to beat you here." Nicole said as she pushed her body forward a little with a calm voice. "Because, I have that series too."
Janice felt her self-esteem plummet as she watched Nicole maintain a composed and collected manner. She couldn't help but feel humiliated by the comparison. "Well, if that's what Shan Jie~ wants. Just remember, I warned you."
Nicole let out a deep breath, but she quickly realized she was mistaken. Upon hearing those words, it became clear that she and Janice had absolutely nothing in common. From Janice's perspective, there was an air of superiority that far surpassed her own, a weakness she knew better than to reveal in front of others. This led Nicole to wonder, who did Janice learn this behavior from? Could it have been from Nicole herself?
Nicole gestured with one raised hand, signaling for Janice to go first and open her card. The atmosphere in the room became quieter as Janice's hands held the cards. It was as if the slightest sound could be heard there, indicating that the real tension was felt by the audience surrounding the table, not the two players at the table.
When the cards were finally turned over and slammed down in the middle of the table, all eyes were immediately on them including Nicole. With a big, triumphant smile, Janice stood up from her chair as if to show everyone that she was invincible. "Ace, K, Q, J, and 10 of spades."
Everyone's gasps echoed, replacing the silence that had previously existed. "We both have a royal flush, but I have the spades suit. That means I have the highest and top poker hand." Her arrogant voice, coupled with her standing position and being taller than Nicole who was still sitting quietly, made Janice seem even more superior.
As Nicole's expression shifted and paled, indicating her impending defeat, a sense of satisfaction spread across Janice's face. It was only a matter of time before Nicole's cries or screams echoed through the room. Janice was tired of seeing Nicole's cold and aloof facade, which only made her seem like a vulnerable protagonist in need of sympathy. Meanwhile, Janice saw herself as an antagonist who enjoyed torturing her opponents.
"Nice cards," Nicole commented, "This really proves what Director Li said that this table is yours."
"It's good that you finally realized it," Janice then folded her arms in front of her chest and lifted her chin slightly, "But, it's too bad it's too late. You should have realized it when you had the chance, Shan Jie~."
Nicole had never felt disgusted by someone until she heard the woman call her that. "As we agreed before, the loser will grant the winner's wish, right?" Nicole slowly stood up from her chair, so that their line of sight was no longer too far away. "Then, please listen to my request carefully, Huang Qilin
Janice's face twisted into a mix of confusion and annoyance. First, because Nicole spoke as if she was the victor, not Janice. And second, why did Nicole using her real name? It was almost as if she were purposefully trying to embarrass Janice since her name was often associated with ice cream. The other people in the room found it funny and laughed at the unintended pun.
"I think you misunderstand, Miss Nicole," Janice said, her face tight and her voice sounding like it was held back by gritted teeth.
Nicole took a deep breath as she raised her eyebrows, "Really?" Then she turned to the old man who was still sitting between her and Janice, "Then, I will have to trouble Director Li to be the judge."
Director Li's index finger pointed at himself, with a surprised expression returning Nicole's gaze. "Me?"
Nicole gave a small nod and motioned for Director Li to stand up so they could look each other in the eye. The old man cleared his throat, as if ready to intervene and find a resolution between the two of them.
Before Director Li even had the chance to begin, Nicole turned her head towards a framed piece of paper hanging next to the door. "Since Director Xiu is unavailable, Director Li will have to make the final decision as his replacement. The rules and winner are clearly outlined in the signed document by Director Xiu."
Everyone followed Nicole's gaze, then ran to the side of the door and looked for the writing frame that Nicole was referring to, because there were also other decorations that filled the area. a voice suddenly announced that someone had found what Nicole was talking about. Janice and Director Li joined the others in investigating, while Nicole remained at the game table, seemingly uninterested in joining the commotion.
"If there are two royal flushes on the same table, then one of two options will apply based on the players' agreement. First, a tie." Director Li's voice reading the rules was heard all the way to Nicole's table, "Or second, this special rule states that the club card must be the highest card suit, followed by diamonds, hearts, and spades."
As Director Li finished reading the rules, Janice's eyes widened and her body felt weak. She could hear the voices of the people around them getting louder and clearer, and she realized that Nicole had somehow turned things in her favor. In a state of shock, Janice turned to look at the gaming table where Nicole stood with her hands folded in front of her chest, looking composed but with a victorious gleam in her eyes.
***