Chapter 392
Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)
Dustin remained cool as a cucumber throughout the game, only casting a glance when he overheard someone gossiping about Brielle, which promptly silenced the chatter.
Brielle paid no mind to the whispers, focusing intently on the fifth round. This time, she upped the ante with a whopping 18 million. She held her ground through the first round of betting and waited as the community cards were revealed.
Connor, spotting her serious expression, couldnât help but smirk. âBrielle, looks like youâre finally willing to dig deep into your pockets. Too bad, though. The more you lay down, the harder youâre gonna fall.
There are plenty of ways for a lady to make a buck, but you just had to pick the one youâre least cut out for.â
The community cards were a Jack of Spade, a Five of Hearts, and a Five of Diamonds.
In Connorâs hand was a Five of Spades and an Ace of Diamonds, giving him at least a pair. He matched Brielleâs 18 million bet and provocatively eyed her.
Unfazed by his taunts, Brielle watched as the betting round completed and the fourth community card was turned over â an Ace of Spades.
Now, it was just her and Connor left at the table. She raised to 24 million, giving Connor a measured smile. âMr. Connor, you wouldnât happen to be sitting on just two pairs, would you?â
Her tone was light as a feather. After speaking, she nudged her chips forward, indicating she was ready to keep playing.
This was the first time Brielle had made it to the end, and it was down to just the two of them. The onlookers, curious about her hole cards given her confident demeanor, began to murmur among themselves.
âSheâs gotten the hang of the rules and has been playing it safe. She must have something solid to have stayed in this long.â
âHa, the dark horse is betting 24 million now. She wouldnât stick around without a surefire win.â âThatâs why playing with these types isnât fun. Thereâs no suspense in winningâ or losing.â
Connor couldnât believe Brielle could have a better hand, but the spectatorsâ comments sowed a seed of doubt, making his decision to raise a shaky one. In the end, he just called.
The pot was nearing the four billion mark, and he couldnât believe Brielle had the appetite for such a gamble. He figured sheâd never seen so much money in her life, so her calm mustâve been an act, especially since she had barely known the rules at the start.
Just as this thought crossed his mind, Brielle confidently raised again. And she doubled it, shooting up to 48 million.
Someone who had been folding at the start was suddenly betting 48 million in one go, a clear sign she was holding a very strong hand.
Sweat began to bead on Connorâs forehead, but he tried to look cool as he locked eyes with Brielle.
âBrielle, whatâs in your hand?â
Brielleâs smile grew. âThough itâs my first night at this game, Iâm pretty sure revealing hole. cards to the opponent isnât allowed. Mr. Connor, youâve played long enough; donât you know the rules?â
Connor bit his lip in frustration. If he called, the pot would grow to six hundred million. He had won a lot that evening, but he was there to win more, not to gamble recklessly, especially not with Brielle looking so sure of herself.
Wiping the sweat from his brow and internally cursing Brielle once more, he gritted his teeth and called the 48 million.
The final card was revealed â a King of Spades.
Brielle didnât hesitate to raise once more, this time to 96 million. Everyone thought she had lost her mind. She alone had put nearly three hundred million on the line.
That wasnât a surprise for someone like Dustin, but Brielle? Could she handle the consequences?
The crowdâs murmurs grew louder.
âIf thatâs not a strong hand, Iâll eat my hat.â
âAll five cards are on the table, and sheâs still going all in. Considering her previous play, could it be the legendary royal flush?â
âThe odds of hitting a royal flush are tens of thousands to one. Itâs her first time playing: how.
could she possibly âIf itâs not a royal flush, Iâll run naked right here.â
Connorâs forehead was slick with sweat as he pondered his next move. He had already sunk four hundred million into the game, and now he had one choice: to call or to fold.
Calling meant throwing in another 96 million. Raising would only mean putting in more.
If Brielle had the royal flush, heâd lose another hundred million or so for nothing. But what if she didnât?