"Just trying to lighten the mood!" Cherry replied, her mind racing. "How about a little wager? Winner takes all!"
Rafael stood a few paces behind, tension radiating from him as he watched Cherry take such a bold risk. His instincts told him to intervene, but he trusted her judgment. She was proving to be more resourceful than he had initially thought.
The manager's irritation began to transform into intrigue, and the other players chuckled at Cherry's audacity. "Alright, let's see what you've got," he said, gesturing for her to join them.
As she approached the table, her heart raced, but she kept her composure. She needed to buy time for Maya to complete her mission.
"Just a simple game," Cherry said, her voice steady. "How about we play a hand of poker? If I win, you let that girl go," she gestured toward the casino owner's daughter, who was still safely out of sight. "If I lose, I'll leave and never come back."
