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Link knew the casino had taken notice of them but later withdrew its attention. Even without his X-ray vision, he could dominate using his knowledge of psychology. Most gamblers had psychological flaws that were easy to spot.
By now, Link was somewhat well-known, especially in Las Vegas. Casinos there were familiar with professional gamblers, and someone like Link, with a reputation in New York, naturally caught their eye. Although the casino didn't know he had invested in Stark Industries stock, they were aware of his previous winnings from high-stakes games and his multimillion-dollar cash reserves.
Casinos view people like Link as valuable assets. They often host exclusive, high-stakes games for the rich and powerful, catering to various desires—some sought thrills, others craved victory, and still others just wanted to gamble or prove their mettle. The casino prided itself on satisfying its guests, knowing the immense profits that came from both their participation and the rake.
Professional gamblers, like Link, usually belonged to circles that frequently participated in prestigious tournaments. Winning such a tournament could earn one not just a significant financial reward but also recognition from casinos. Some might even be hired as technical directors or receive small stakes in the casino, bringing in significant returns. But Link wasn't interested in these benefits; he valued his independence, preferring not to be tied down to a casino. His hidden identity as a special agent made this even more important.
He enjoyed his life as an agent—growing stronger simply by basking in the sun, without needing any system or quest for power. His life was already rich and fulfilling. He had adventure, excitement, and now a girlfriend. What more could he ask for?
"Mr. Link, would you be interested in joining a special game?" The casino representative approached a few days later, by which time Link had already amassed over $5 million in winnings.
He had won quite a bit this time, and Link realized his liquid assets were running low—a problem when it came to funding Jessica's luxury shopping, especially her lingerie, which he particularly enjoyed seeing her buy.
"Of course," Link replied with a smile, "but who will be participating?"
"I'm afraid we can't disclose their identities. Just play to the best of your ability," the casino manager responded.
Link raised an eyebrow but nodded. "No problem. Exchange my chips, will you?"
"And the time?"
"Tomorrow evening at 8 p.m. We'll send someone to escort you," the manager said before leaving.
Link noted how they treated him like an underdog. He didn't mind. The more they underestimated him, the more high-stakes games would come his way. And if anyone played dirty, well, he had no qualms about using S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources. After all, he was a level-six agent!
Jessica, standing beside him in an evening gown, looked concerned. "I don't feel too good about this," she said.
"Don't worry, they're just here to hand us some easy money. Even though they won't disclose who's playing, it doesn't matter. They wouldn't dare try anything at the hotel," Link reassured her with a smile.
Jessica frowned but said nothing further. She knew from the start her boyfriend was a professional gambler, and such a career was far from tranquil.
…
The next evening, after a light dinner, Link and Jessica returned to their room to change. Link donned a custom-tailored suit, and Jessica slipped into a new evening gown. Shortly after, hotel staff arrived to escort them to a VIP lounge.
Unlike before, there was no waiting. Four people were already seated—three men and a woman. It was clear they knew each other, and this game was more than just about money.
In a semi-circle table, Link picked up a cigar and poured himself some bourbon before taking a seat on the far right with Jessica beside him. He began observing the group. There were two older men, one Black and one White, and two younger individuals, a White man and woman, presumably siblings.
"Antonio, there's still time to back out," the Black man joked.
But the White man, Antonio, responded seriously. "Sloan, my children and I are three against two, and we've also got an expert brought in by the casino. You may not win."
"Fine, let's see how our luck fares then," Sloan replied, signaling to the dealer. "Let's get started."
Link glanced at his chips—$10 million worth. The casino had fronted him the extra $4 million, knowing he could pay it back. Smiling to himself, he lit his cigar, silently taking stock of the situation.
Jessica, sitting tensely to his right, was nervous but kept quiet, not wanting to distract him.
Sensing her unease, Link gently patted her hand. "Relax. If you're tired, you can go to the lounge for a drink," he suggested.
"I'm fine. I've never seen you play before," Jessica replied with a forced smile.
"Looks like I'll have to bring you along more often, so you can get used to it," Link chuckled.
While he remained composed, the dealer had already started distributing cards. Each player tossed in $10,000 as the ante. From the start, Link noted that Antonio and Sloan were the calmest, while Antonio's children appeared nervous. It was clear this game had deeper stakes for them.
In the first few rounds, Link folded without hesitation, focusing instead on studying Sloan. Of the group, Sloan remained the steadiest—his heartbeat barely changing, though it spiked slightly when he checked his cards. Link, with his enhanced hearing, could sense the subtle shifts in everyone's heartbeats, especially Jessica's, which was the loudest of all.
"Hey, aren't you supposed to be the expert?" Antonio's son, Santino, called out after several rounds.
Link grinned. "The casino must not have introduced me properly. I'm not an expert in cards, but psychology. I've been observing you all. But I think now I'm ready."
"Deal the cards," he instructed the dealer confidently.
Antonio leaned over to his son, cautioning him. "Santino, keep a cool head."
"Yes, Father," Santino responded, immediately adopting a more composed demeanor.
Meanwhile, his sister, who sat beside him, smirked subtly. It was clear there was some tension between the siblings. Link made a mental note—this could be useful later.
With that, Link began to dominate the table. Even Sloan struggled to keep up, and soon enough, Link's stack of chips started growing.
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