"Poker, then," Ashley said, leaning forward a little in her chair, her blue eyes shining with a silent challenge. "Let's see who can fool the other first."
Aiden smiled, feeling the excitement rising in his chest. "That's what I like to hear. No beating around the bush."
They walked away from the roulette table, where other players continued their bets, and headed to a more private poker table, where the atmosphere seemed quieter, more intimate, but still charged with anticipation. The roulette and the rapid betting had been just a prelude to the real fight that was about to begin.
They sat on opposite sides of the table, the sound of chips being placed on the felt of the table breaking the silence. Aiden watched every one of Ashley's small gestures, the way she adjusted her posture, the tiny signs in her expression, everything was being noted in his mind.
Ashley made her first bet, pushing a stack of chips into the center of the table with deftness. Aiden watched her calmly before reacting. He knew she wanted to see him react impulsively, but his experience kept him calm, controlling his emotions as he studied the scene.
"Do you mind if I make a slightly higher bet?" Aiden asked, his words filled with quiet confidence. He pushed more chips into the center, the sound of them echoing around the table.
She looked at him with interest, not a look of surprise, but rather one of calculated curiosity. "I'd say you like to test the limits, don't you? Let's see how far you'll go."
The cards were dealt, and hands began to form. She was as attentive to his movements as he was to hers, her every expression analyzed, her every word heavily considered.
The round wore on, and their behavior became more refined, more precise. Each was trying to predict the other's next moves, and that made the exchange even more electrically charged.
"You really know how to keep your cool," Ashley commented, her voice now softer, as if she was acknowledging the value of her opponent. "I have to admit, it's not every day I meet someone who plays with such skill."
Aiden smiled without showing his emotions. "Calmness is one of a player's greatest weapons. Knowing when it's time to press and when it's time to back off."
She looked at him, her smile widening slightly. "Well, you're right, Aiden. Calmness is what separates the rookies from the pros. But..."
She paused before staring at him, her blue eyes almost challenging. "Do you know what else a good player can do?"
Aiden was silent for a moment, watching the woman. He knew there was a lesson there, a final word she was about to throw his way.
"Intuition," she said, and the word came out with a touch of certainty in her voice. "It's intuition that makes a player unbeatable. Not everything can be calculated. Sometimes the game demands something more."
Aiden smiled slightly, his mind working as he pondered the revelation. Intuition. It was a word he knew well, but he also knew that intuition needed to be fueled by observation and experience. It wasn't enough to rely on a vague feeling; it needed to be an accurate reading of the other's actions, a play that was more accurate than a simple blind bet.
The round continued, and Aiden made a sizeable bet, his chips piling neatly into the center of the table. "You're right, Ashley. Intuition is an important part. And I have a good feeling about this round."
She watched him, her eyes analyzing every move, every word. Then, without saying a word, she called the bet with a calm but firm gesture. She wasn't impressed, she wasn't even hesitating.
The final cards were dealt, and the sound of their hearts beating in time with the adrenaline rush became the only music in the silent space. Aiden looked down at his cards, then back at Ashley.
"Let's see how far your intuition can take me," Aiden said, placing his final chips in the center of the table. "And of course, what else are you willing to risk?"
Ashley leaned forward slightly, her posture indicating that she was ready to respond to the challenge. "Risk is something we all deal with. But the true gambler knows exactly how far he can go before deciding whether or not to back down."
Ashley held her cards with a calmness that seemed almost rehearsed. Her blue eyes shone under the casino lights, but Aiden couldn't read anything in her expression.
Aiden threw his cards down on the table. A full house, an impressive hand. Enough to destroy most opponents.
"Impressive, don't you think?" he asked, his voice filled with calculated confidence.
Ashley didn't answer right away. She laid her cards down on the table with almost theatrical slowness.
Straight flush.
Aiden blinked once, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips as he acknowledged defeat. He wasn't angry, he was genuinely impressed.
"Well, it seems I was defeated fair and square, Miss Astley," he said, bowing slightly in a respectful gesture.
Ashley smiled, but her smile was more one of restrained triumph than ostentation. She stood, smoothing her dress with a graceful gesture before replying, "Well, Mr. Baskerville, it was a pleasure." Her voice was soft, but there was a slight tease in her tone.
Aiden raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Leaving already, Miss Astley? We're just getting started."
She laughed softly, an almost melodic sound, and answered as she picked up her bag, "Sorry, but I have to go..."
Aiden sighed, but kept his tone light. "So... see you another day?"
Ashley paused briefly, turning her head to give him one last look over her shoulder. An enigmatic smile played on her lips as she replied, "Who knows."
He watched her leave, her silhouette disappearing among the lights and people of the casino.
When she was out of sight, Aiden stood up, casually adjusting his jacket. "Interesting..." he muttered to himself before heading to the elevator that took him to the second floor of the casino.
As he waited for the elevator, a familiar sound echoed in his ears. It was the system.
『New Mission Available』
『Mission: Go to Casino Royale in M City.
Reward: 100,000,000 Credits and a special item.
Time limit: 6 hours.
●Completed』
He paused for a moment, processing the message as a slow smile crept across his face. "Casino Royale, huh? Looks like the night is just beginning," he muttered to himself.
A quiet sound caught his attention, the ping of a notification on his phone. He fished it out of his pocket, unlocking it with a swift gesture. It was a message from his bank account.
Updated balance: +100,000 thousand credits.
He chuckled softly, shaking his head in disbelief as he put his phone away. "This system sure knows how to please."
When the elevator arrived, he stepped inside and leaned against the wall, whistling softly as the doors closed. The reflection of his own image on the polished panel caught his eye. He adjusted his jacket over his shoulders and smiled to himself.
As soon as the elevator stopped at the desired floor, Aiden stepped out with confident strides, heading for a door at the end of the hallway.
"Let's see what else you have in store for me, system," he said as his hand touched the doorknob and pushed the door open.