Everyone was astonished. Once was luck, twice was coincidence, three times... even with the opponent deliberately shuffling the cards to interfere, to still accurately draw a 9? This was simply...
Upon seeing the 9 of spades, the elderly gentleman and his lady companion were filled with utter despair. It was all over... the necklace...
"This... this luck is just too incredible!" The usually quiet female assistant brought by the lady exclaimed in surprise, looking at Draco as if he were a monster.
"No," the noblewoman slowly shook her head, "This is not luck."
"Not luck?" the female assistant asked, puzzled.
"Madam is right," the young master nodded emphatically, "This isn't luck, it's skill! It's absolute control over gambling techniques; otherwise, it would be impossible to achieve such precision!"
"I lost. You're very good. The Heart of the Ocean is yours." The old gentleman's tone was filled with only relief and admiration.
At this moment Draco gently patted Ginger's arm around his neck, signaling her to let go. Ginger then realized her lapse in decorum, quickly released her hand, blushed, and took two steps back, but the excitement and admiration in her eyes remained undiminished.
"Is playing cards that hard?" Draco straightened his slightly disheveled collar and tossed his hair as he spoke.
"Young friend, a bet is a bet. This necklace is yours now." The old gentleman handed the Star of the Ocean to Draco.
Draco nodded and took the necklace, examining it closely. He found it to be a top-tier piece of jewelry art.
Ginger, standing to the side, stared wide-eyed, longing to reach out and touch it, to feel its weighty value.
But now is not the time; I am merely a female companion and temporary assistant, and I have no right to make such a request.
Just then, the old gentleman's female companion couldn't hold back any longer.
Seeing that priceless necklace so easily given away, she was heartbroken and couldn't breathe. Ignoring the occasion, she retorted angrily:
"Boss, you haven't drawn your cards yet. What if it's a 9?" The female companion still held a sliver of hope.
"I said that as long as this young friend draws a 9, the necklace is his. Do you want me to be seen as a dishonest person in front of everyone?" The old gentleman's tone was somewhat cold.
The woman shuddered at the old gentleman's gaze and tone, realizing her slip of the tongue; her face paled.
He could only quickly lower his head and stammer, "I'm sorry, boss... I didn't mean that... I just..."
Draco observed all of this, gently placed the Star of the Ocean beside him, and then looked at the dealer beside him, saying:
"I won 850,000 chips in the previous bet. You take your cut according to the rules, and the rest goes to this old gentleman."
Upon hearing this, everyone's faces showed surprise.
Using the hundreds of thousands of dollars he won in cash to exchange for a necklace worth millions? It sounds like Draco got a good deal.
But you should know that the old gentleman himself put the necklace up as a bet, and he lost it in front of everyone.
Draco could have simply taken it all without giving a single penny.
But I never expected the scale to be so grand...
"Benevolence and righteousness!" The young master gave a thumbs up.
"No, no," the old gentleman waved his hand in refusal. "Absolutely not. I appreciate your kindness, but I cannot accept the money."
"At the gambling table, chips determine the winner and loser, and treasures are also chips. Since I voluntarily put it up as a wager, if I lose, I lose. How can I accept any gifts from the winner?"
"That's against the rules,"
"That's true, but the logic can't be confused," Draco insisted. "Winning the treasure is already a tremendous gain."
"In this round of 9 points, only your necklace is the prize, sir. We didn't place any chips. That doesn't make sense."
Seeing Draco's resolute attitude, the old gentleman could not refuse and could only reluctantly nod and accept it, then immediately smiled and said:
"Young friend, you are so young yet possess extraordinary bearing and admirable conduct. Would you do me the honor of becoming friends?"
"I am Albert Humphreys."
"I am Sebastian Cavendish," the young master said.
"I am Victoria Fisher. Mr. Collard's demeanor is impressive." The lady also took the opportunity to make his acquaintance.
"So it's Mr. Humphreys, Young Master Cavendish, Mrs. Fisher. My apologies for not recognizing you," Draco said.
Draco then introduced himself.
However, he used the name Collard.
During the conversation, Draco learned the identities of the three men.
Albert was an old-money family with a long and distinguished lineage; Sebastian was a rising star with immense wealth; and Victoria was a noblewoman who married into a long-established industrial family and held a prominent position. They were all among the top figures in Britain.
When the three heard Draco's name, they quickly searched their minds, exchanged glances, and realized that none of them had ever heard of the name Collard. He was neither from an old aristocratic family nor a newly emerging business tycoon; he seemed to be an unknown figure.
But looking at Draco's innate nobility and the elegance and majesty in his every move, they all knew in their hearts that...
This young man is definitely no ordinary person. He is either a scion of a reclusive noble family or has a powerful background unknown to others. The fact that he has no name is the most impressive thing about him.
To be able to befriend such a person,
It is a good thing for everyone, and naturally no one will look down on it just because the name is unfamiliar.
Draco glanced at the time, picked up the necklace, and said to the three, "It's getting late, excuse me, I must go back to rest."
The three nodded in agreement; continuing the game was indeed pointless, as with Collard around, they would only be crushed.
As for deepening ties?
No rush. They were all on the same ship, and the voyage would continue for several more days. There would be plenty of opportunities. They were already starting to think about how they could get to know this gentleman better.
The wealthy lady's assistant, along with Young Master Sebastian companion, stood not far away, watching with envy as Ginger left with Draco, their hearts filled with jealousy.
Having seen all sorts of powerful and wealthy people on the cruise ship, they could tell at a glance that Draco was no ordinary person, Ginger being able to keep him by her side was undoubtedly a sign that she had climbed the social ladder.
Ginger followed closely behind Draco, and the two quickly walked out of the VIP box and all the way to the exit of the casino's main hall.
As soon as he stopped, Draco took out ten 10,000-denomination chips from his pocket and handed them to her casually. "This is the service fee. You've been busy all night, and you've done your best."
100,000! Ginger stared blankly at the chips in Draco's hand. Just a service fee? She did help with betting and collecting chips tonight... but anyone could do that!
Even the fee for accompanying someone in bed wouldn't be this high; these ten chips are equivalent to several years of her income.