Chapter 42: Last Day
By the eighth spin the numbers were clear:
>Me: ¥70 million
>Paul: ¥49 million
>Goto: ¥40 million
>Haru: ¥21 million.
"What in the actual hell is going on? This has to be it." Haru’s aggressive demeanor visibly declared his failure from the very beginning.
He shoved almost everything on red. Thinking he’d have a crowd screaming moment.
The ball landed on black 11.
He was left with 3million and a face carved from stone.
I stole a short sneering glance at Haru.
He couldn’t help but boil at the disdainful look I gave him.
Paul and Goto made no fuss about him losing. They saw him as a lost-cause, instead of a threat.
Ninth spin.
Goto tried to force a confrontation, matching my large bet on the first dozen.
[You seem to be sweating a little bit, Kenji] Lust voices mockingly.
Goto on the other hand, stared down at me viciously with so much confidence he must’ve summoned earlier on to rig the game to his favour.
[Something doesn’t look right, Kenji. Make you’re pick a two digit number]
I stared at the wheel — calm and calculated.
I used the leap of faith I had left and switched at the last second to a single number bet on 17, the same number of the years he’s been business partners with my father.
The wheel rolled, ball bouncing frantically — hands clenched in anticipation.
The ball dropped on 17.
My hands involuntarily clapped."Yes." I muttered.
The crowd cheered.
Goto’s stack collapsed. He was forced to the side of the table, eliminated.
Tenth and eleventh spins tightened the noose.
Paul played perfectly, but I kept bleeding him with controlled aggression.
When the twelfth and final spin arrived, the stacks read.
>Me: ¥ 91 million
>Paul: ¥ 34 million
>Haru: ¥3m (already irrelevant).
Paul’s eyes met mine. ’Oh Paul.. you just never learn.. even though you’re so blind to see the difference between us. I take good care of your wife, better than you. I work smarter. And I’m just better in general.’
’Kenji..! It’s actually sad to see you face me. After clear and serveral times of always being the winner. Beat it loser, you don’t stand a chance against me.’ Paul’s eyes locked on me as he pushed almost everything he had left onto red.
The croupier spun.
The ball circled, slowed, clicked against the frets... and settled on black 29.
The room fell dead silent. Necks stretching just to see where the ball landed just to know who the victor was.
The croupier announced the result in a flat voice and began moving the enormous stacks of chips towards me.
The whole room erupted. Every one just kept touching me. "Oh my goodness.. Kenji!..." voices echoed around.
The entire pot — over ¥180 million, converted rates for around $11.5 million in verified funds — now sat in front me.
Haru stood first, gave a short, stiff nod, and left the room without a word.
Goto followed, jaw locked.
Paul remained seated a moment longer. He studied the wheel, then looked at me.
"Well played," he said quietly. "The concession?"
I considered him for a long moment.
’What can I make him do?’ I pondered before a sharp bell rang in my head.
"Forfeit every GoldCorps scheduled investment with Pennywells the crypto company."
"What? Involving the company’s growth to a mere roulette concession! Are you out of your mind?" He snapped.
"Okay let me tell you what! Use your own money and invest in Pennywells and let’s how it’s going to turn out." My voice dropped to a dark whisper that raged. "But don’t you dare, set the company up for such failure."
Seeing he had to keep to his own end of the bargain.
Paul inclined his head once. "Done."
He rose, buttoned his jacket, and walked out.
The two observers exchanged glances, then offered me a brief, respectful nods before departing.
The croupier began resetting the table as if nothing of consequence had occurred.
The system flickered once at the edge of my vision — neutral, observational.
[High-Stakes event complete]
[Influence gained through pure dominance: +5,000 LP]
[Young millionaire net worth doubles]
[Rival standing updated]
[Haru— Hostility increased]
[Paul White — Respect earned]
[Ando Goto —Rivalry intensified]
———
I received the digital confirmation of the wires — $11.5 million sitting right there in my bank account — I straightened my cuffs, and left the roulette room behind.
Outside, the night air was cool. The last day of the getaway was almost over.
Most guests decided to leave that same night.
I watched a few honored guests leave as their luxurious vans and sedans pulled into the motor court.
I stood at the edge of the stoop, watching the fleet of rides that were pulling up for the leaving guests, champagne in hand, when the sound of measured footsteps approached from behind.
Ando Goto stopped three paces away.
"Going already?" I said.
He didn’t bother with greetings. The loss at the roulette hours ago still sat between me like an open wound.
Fifty million yen of his money now sat in my accounts. For such a rich guy to be petty over a sum of money he probably regards as a piece of change, made me instantly realize the kind of person he is.
’I see why LUST made me go undercover to claim his wife. This man is trouble.’
His jaw was tight, eyes cold.
"You stacked the wheel," he said faintly.
I took a sip of wine and didn’t turn fully to him. "Single- zero. Independent croupier. Club rules. You agreed to every condition before the first spin."
Goto stepped closer. The golden chandelier above caught the sharp lines of his face.
"I’ve buried better men than you for less. Because of what happened tonight, I’ll keep my eyes on you henceforth. GoldCorp doesn’t belong to an upstart who got lucky on a colored wheel."
"Luck had nothing to do with it," I answered. "You overextend your emotions. I didn’t."
My voice dropped low, dark and unwavered. "You said something wrong there, and I have to correct you. I’m not the one being watched Ando, you are. But I’m a young gentleman not a fighter." I smirked.
But deep down my knees wiggled nervously.
A second set of footsteps join him.
Paul appeared at Goto’s shoulder, expression even colder.
Haru remained at a distance entering into his van, watching me from a distance as he rolls away.
The night’s clean defeat had only sharpened the edges.
"Your too young to know and understand the gravity of words boy.. make your father proud and keep your mouth shut. Or I’ll take care of that real quick." Goto replied.
I finally turned to face them fully. The night breeze tugged at my jacket.
"I’m not scared of you." I said. "I’m ready for whatever. Bring it on Goto."
"That’s enough, Kenji. Mind who you’re talking to." Paul spoke, trying to ease the tension.
Goto’s smile was thin and humorless. "This isn’t over. You humiliated me, and talk to me like we are age mates! I don’t forget that. And I’ll be coming for you soon."
"All visitors are welcomed," I replied, sneering.
"Anna! Babe..! Let’s get going." Goto called out for his wife.
She rushed out with a look that could tell something off was going on between her husband and I.
"Hello Kenji.. glad to see you gain. We’ll be on our way now." Anna voices, softly.
"I hope you enjoyed your short stay here," I asked with a knowing smile.
"I loved it so my much my dear." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "The masseuse!? Is he contracted by you? If yes, let me have his contact, give it to my personal assistant, the lady behind me."
’Wow, she’s obsessed.’ I grinned.
"Yes. Alright ma’am. I’ll do that."
Goto held my gaze one second longer, then turned and walked towards his luxury van, without another word. Anna followed.
Paul also left the scene.
I took the last sip of my wine. Set the empty cup on the railing, and walked back inside the mansion.
11:25 PM...
I slid the door open to my room balcony, overlooking the amazing views money couldn’t buy.
The balcony next to mine chimed open as a lady stepped out.
"Celine? She’s still here!" I muttered. ’Had no idea she was so close either.’
Without thinking, I stormed out of my room. And went straight to the next.
I didn’t knock.
The door to Celine’s private suite opened under my hand with a quiet click.
Inside, the lights were turned off, only dimly lit by the lights that escaped from the bathroom, curtains half drawn against the bright moon.
Her fiancé *Jamie*, sat the wide oak desk near the window, back turned, noise cancellation headphones on, laptop open.
He was deep in call — voice low, professional, completely absorbed in the conference call and market projections.
I stepped in fully, shutting the door behind me. He never even glanced over his shoulder....