Arc 26Fortunes and Fallout

David’s gambling destroyed the money Diana hoped to use for a home, while Draco helped her win a fortune at the slots. Diana left David after he tried to force her, and Draco returned to Hermione, whose jealousy surfaced when she noticed another woman’s perfume on him.

  • David ignored Diana’s warnings and gambled away their chips, then lost the last money Bellatrix lent him.
  • Diana found Draco after David’s losses, and Draco offered her work as his assistant, and their slot-machine bets unexpectedly began paying out.
  • Draco secretly manipulated the slot machines as Diana won jackpot after jackpot, but casino staff eventually investigated and banned them from the slots.
  • Diana discovered David losing Bellatrix’s loan at blackjack, confronted him, and dragged him out after he asked Draco for money.
  • David tried to force Diana into sex at their cabin, but Mary walked in and Diana fled.
  • Diana told David how frightened and humiliated he had made her, then asked to be alone.
  • Draco returned to Hermione, who noticed unfamiliar perfume on him and questioned his casino trip.
  • Draco reassured Hermione, while she denied being jealous and insisted he shower before they ate.
Chapters 626–650 Vol. 7 Read

Ch. 626Easy to Win, Hard to Walk Away

Diana reunited with David at the casino, where he had won twelve thousand chips and aimed to win enough to redeem their house. Although she repeated Draco’s warning about the casino and debt, David refused to stop, and Diana chose to stay with him as his winnings rose to fifteen thousand.

  • Diana found David at the gaming table after Draco guided her through the casino and left.
  • David showed Diana his winnings, introduced her to Bellatrix and the other gamblers, and won another round after Diana kissed the dice.
  • Diana warned David that Draco had said most gamblers lost and cautioned him about debt, but David dismissed the warning and insisted they needed fifty thousand chips for their house.
  • Diana struggled between Draco’s advice and her hope of owning a home, then fell silent and chose to trust David.
  • David’s chips reached fifteen thousand, and his excitement gave way to feverish dissatisfaction.

Ch. 627Stop playing dice! Bet everything on this round

David took Diana from the dice tables to roulette, where an early win encouraged him to place increasingly risky bets. After betting five thousand chips on red, he left Diana worried as the next round began.

  • David urged Diana to play roulette for higher payouts, while Bellatrix refused to leave the dice tables.
  • David persuaded Diana with promises of wealth and hurried her to roulette, where he put fifteen thousand chips on the table.
  • David cautiously bet five hundred on red, then placed a thousand on red for the next spin and won when the ball landed on red sixteen.
  • Encouraged by the win and praise from nearby gamblers, David pushed five thousand chips onto red.
  • Diana pressed down on David's hand and begged him to bet more cautiously.

Ch. 628He Had Won Enough, Yet Refused to Stop

David ignored Diana’s warnings at the roulette table, lost most of their winnings, and then slowly rebuilt their chips to the amount needed to redeem their house. Though Diana urged him to stop, David kept gambling and provoked the other gamblers, leaving another confrontation about to erupt.

  • David won another bet on red, doubled his stake, and then risked most of his chips on red again, losing more than half when the wheel landed on black seven.
  • David argued with gamblers who blamed him for their losses, but Diana and the dealer intervened and calmed the confrontation.
  • David switched to small bets and gradually rebuilt his chips until they reached fifty thousand, enough to redeem their house.
  • Diana urged David to leave, but he wanted to keep playing for the 1:35 payout and won another bet on red.
  • David mocked the gamblers who had lost betting on black, and they clenched their fists and moved toward him as the crowd scattered.

Ch. 629Arrogant in victory, shattered in defeat: a gambler's norm

David ignored Diana’s pleas and gambled away their remaining chips after a string of wins, leaving both of them devastated. The couple ended the chapter on the cruise ship with their last hope gone and their financial future in ruin.

  • After other gamblers cursed David and left, Diana feared he would lose their money, but he pushed all fifty thousand in chips toward red.
  • David softened when Diana begged him to stop and bet forty thousand on red, keeping ten thousand aside as a cushion.
  • The wheel landed on black twenty-one, and David lost the forty thousand while Diana broke down in fear.
  • David ignored Diana’s pleas and bet the remaining ten thousand on red, convinced he would win back his losses.
  • The wheel landed on black thirteen, and the staff collected David’s last chips.
  • Diana collapsed in tears, and David held her as guilt replaced his frenzy.

Ch. 630An Imagined Gambling Pattern

David returned to the dice table after losing everything at roulette, convinced he could recover his money by following Bellatrix’s bets. His imagined betting pattern led him to wager all his remaining chips and lose them, leaving him furious at the casino and Diana weeping.

  • David urged Diana to exchange their last cash for chips and returned to the dice table, where Bellatrix had been winning.
  • Diana brought David a little over two hundred in chips, and Bellatrix cautioned him to bet carefully before he followed her small wager and won.
  • David’s chips fluctuated through alternating wins and losses until he devised a betting pattern that seemed to produce small gains.
  • Impatient with his slow progress, David bet all his chips on a round he believed was guaranteed to win, but the dice came up differently and he lost everything.
  • David accused the casino of cheating, but the dealer denied any manipulation as security approached; Diana wept, and Bellatrix warned David that the most frightening thing about gambling was thinking he had won.

Ch. 631Fragile promises, greed rekindled

After losing all their chips, David begged Diana to find Collard for help delaying the bank’s repossession of their home, then asked Bellatrix for a loan. Bellatrix agreed to lend him chips without interest, leaving David with renewed hope and an opportunity to gamble again.

  • David pleaded with Diana to find Collard and ask for money, and she reluctantly agreed after he promised not to approach loan sharks.
  • Diana warned David to wait for her in the casino, and he promised he would.
  • After Diana left, David noticed Bellatrix’s chips and asked her to lend him some so he could keep gambling.
  • Bellatrix initially refused, warning that lending him money would deepen his losses.
  • David explained that he and Diana might lose their home, and Bellatrix relented, lending him chips without interest.

Ch. 632Watching a hundred straight losses, his wife comes looking

David broke his promise to Bellatrix and took her borrowed chips to a blackjack table, while Diana searched for Collard and found Draco nearing a hundred consecutive slot-machine losses. Diana called out to him as the crowd gathered, and the chapter left them facing one another amid onlookers expecting a family confrontation.

  • David lied to Bellatrix that he was going to the restroom, then went to blackjack to try to win back his losses with her chips.
  • Diana returned to the slot machines hoping to find Collard and thank him, but discovered Draco surrounded by a crowd after ninety-five consecutive losses.
  • Draco lost his ninety-ninth round, prompting gamblers to urge him to play once more and reach a hundred straight losses.
  • Diana pushed through the crowd and called to Draco, drawing every onlooker's attention.
  • Draco told the crowd to clear off, and most scattered nearby while continuing to watch Diana approach him.

Ch. 633The big shot with a hundred straight losses coaxed a crybaby girl

Draco comforted Diana after she broke down over David’s gambling losses, then refused to lend her money and offered her a paid job as his gambling assistant. Diana doubted the offer because Draco kept losing, and he asked what else could help someone win.

  • Draco noticed Diana’s red eyes and gently coaxed her into explaining that David had lost everything.
  • Diana calmed down as Draco joked about his hundred-loss challenge, while nearby spectators praised him for soothing her.
  • Draco refused Diana’s request to borrow money, warning that David would lose whatever she gave him.
  • Draco offered Diana a salary to assist him with gambling and promised to give her half of any winnings.
  • Diana questioned how working with Draco could help her earn money when his luck was so bad, and Draco asked what else mattered besides luck.

Ch. 634A bet becomes heartwarming help, and the onlookers' imaginations run wild

Draco offered Diana a bet on the next spin of a slot machine, intending to give her a thousand if he lost and help her through her financial troubles. Diana accepted an onlooker’s suggested kiss as the stake, but Draco rejected it and pulled the lever, expecting to lose and give her the money.

  • Draco asked Diana to be his assistant and offered to bet that his next slot-machine spin would win, promising her a thousand if he lost.
  • An onlooker suggested Diana ask Draco for a kiss if she lost, and Draco angrily rejected the suggestion, reminding him that Diana had a husband.
  • Diana interpreted Draco’s offer as a discreet attempt to help her and agreed to the bet, including the suggested stake.
  • Draco declared the kiss bet void and pulled the slot-machine lever, expecting to lose and give Diana the money.

Ch. 635Deliberately Throwing the Game

Draco won a slot-machine spin despite trying to avoid the bet, and Diana kissed him before declaring herself his assistant. Diana insisted on betting again to repay his help, so Draco secretly made the next spin lose to end the wager.

  • Draco and Diana were stunned when the slot machine paid out after a winning spin.
  • Draco told Diana she did not have to honor their agreement, but Diana kissed him and said she would be his assistant.
  • An onlooker urged Diana to bet again, and Draco drove him away before telling Diana not to risk more money.
  • Diana decided to make one last bet, arguing that she did not want to owe Draco too much.
  • Draco secretly manipulated the next spin into a losing result, and Diana cheered as the bet ended.

Ch. 636The iconic slip of the hand

After Diana accidentally kissed Draco and he touched her chest while trying to push her off, the two recovered from their embarrassment and resumed their casino game. Draco made Diana put their last coin into the slot machine, promising she would win, and asked what multiplier she wanted to hit.

  • Diana threw herself onto Draco to thank him, and her kiss sent them both crashing to the floor.
  • Draco accidentally grabbed Diana's chest while trying to push her away, leaving them both embarrassed.
  • Diana teased Draco about being a virgin, and he told her to keep a proper distance if she wanted to remain his assistant.
  • Draco handed Diana their last coin and ordered her to put it into the slot machine, guaranteeing she would win.
  • Diana inserted the coin and asked Draco what to do next, and he asked which multiplier she wanted.

Ch. 637Had her lips been blessed?

Draco guided Diana through three consecutive slot-machine wins, each matching the multiplier she chose, and the crowd gathered around them. As Diana blushed over Draco’s claim that he had blessed her lips, he asked what multiplier she wanted for the next round.

  • Diana chose a one-times bet, and she and Draco won the payout.
  • Draco persuaded Diana to risk two coins by promising her ten thousand if they lost, and they won again.
  • Diana chose a three-times multiplier, and the machine paid out after matching the symbols once more.
  • Draco joked that he had blessed Diana’s lips, making her blush as they realized nearby gamblers had gathered to watch.
  • The crowd debated whether their streak was luck, while Draco asked Diana what multiplier she wanted for the next round.

Ch. 638All in, another win-who could handle luck like this?

Diana repeatedly named slot-machine payouts, and every spin Draco encouraged her to make won, drawing a crowd of astonished spectators. After Diana called for and hit the fifty-times jackpot, the onlookers wondered whether the machine could grant wishes.

  • Diana bet all three coins on three cherries and won five times, exciting the crowd.
  • Diana called for three oranges and won ten times, then hugged Draco's arm in delight.
  • Diana bet on three bells and won twenty times, prompting the crowd to press around the machine.
  • Diana hugged Draco and kissed his cheek, then blushed as bystanders teased her about getting excited again.
  • Diana bet three coins on three sevens and won the fifty-times jackpot, leaving the crowd stunned and asking her to call their bets.

Ch. 639The wishing machine

Diana repeatedly won jackpots on the wishing machine and celebrated by embracing and kissing Draco. After accumulating 1,721 coins, she realized her backpack could no longer hold them.

  • Diana lunged into Draco after their first win, and he caught her as the crowd cheered.
  • Draco asked whether Diana wanted the wishing machine to work on another machine, and she eagerly agreed.
  • Diana wished for a hundred-times payout with three BARs, and the machine produced the jackpot.
  • Overcome with joy, Diana knocked Draco to the floor and kissed him before announcing she wanted to keep hitting BARs.
  • Diana won four more times, raising their total to 1,721 coins, then panicked because her backpack was overflowing.

Ch. 640Winning more than they could carry

Draco and Diana exchanged their winnings for chips and continued through the casino, drawing a crowd convinced they would keep winning. Diana hit an extraordinary six-BAR jackpot, then realized she had impulsively clung to Draco in front of everyone.

  • Draco helped Diana exchange more than 1,700 coins for three high-value chips after she worried her bag would overflow.
  • Diana calculated that they could reach fifty thousand by winning at twenty-seven more machines, and told Draco she trusted his promise that they would keep winning.
  • When a gambler teased Diana about kissing Draco, Draco warned him not to pick on his assistant, and the man quickly apologized.
  • Diana pulled the lever on a new slot machine and won six BARs, sending a huge pile of coins into the collection tray.
  • Diana leapt into Draco's arms in excitement, then blushed and apologized after he reminded her that the crowd was watching.

Ch. 641Winning Like Crazy! The Casino Supervisor Came to Investigate in Person

Draco used Dumbledore's Deluminator to manipulate the slot machines while Diana played, winning a pile of coins and chips as the crowd teased them. When casino staff arrived to inspect the machine, Draco calmly agreed, leaving the floor supervisor unsure of what to make of him.

  • Draco had the onlookers exchange the coins for high-value chips and told them to give the chips to Diana.
  • Draco joked that hiring a pretty, lucky assistant was the secret to winning, making Diana blush as the crowd teased them.
  • Draco's system had analyzed the slot machine's optical sensors, and he secretly used Dumbledore's Deluminator to guide the reels while Diana played.
  • Two men in black and a floor supervisor arrived as the machine displayed BAR symbols, prompting Diana to cling nervously to Draco.
  • The supervisor asked to inspect the machine, and Draco stepped aside and calmly invited the staff to proceed.

Ch. 642Standard casino procedure

Draco and Diana won another slot machine jackpot after the casino’s inspection found no tampering. The supervisor then ordered them to the office for a supposed fairness check, and Draco escorted the frightened Diana away from the angry crowd.

  • The supervisor had technicians open the slot machine, and they confirmed it was normal.
  • Draco and Diana played a third machine and won another jackpot, exchanging the coins for chips.
  • As Diana prepared to play a fourth machine, the supervisor and two guards ordered them to stop and come to the office.
  • Diana protested that they were merely lucky, while the gathered gamblers accused the casino of unfairly targeting them.
  • Draco reassured Diana, put an arm around her shoulders, and went with her as the supervisor escorted them toward the offices.

Ch. 643Please have some tea

Draco and Diana were investigated by the casino after winning repeatedly, but the manager found no evidence of cheating. He banned them from returning, and Draco proposed giving up their winnings in exchange for playing other games.

  • Draco secretly cast a Confundus Charm on the casino manager as he led Draco and Diana to the security office.
  • The manager reviewed surveillance footage and searched Draco, Diana, and their belongings but found no suspicious devices or behavior.
  • The manager checked the slot machines' backend logs and found no tampering or irregularities.
  • The manager let Draco and Diana keep their winnings but banned them from returning to the casino.
  • Diana objected to the ban, and Draco offered to forfeit their winnings if they could play other casino games.

Ch. 644Who... Was That Figure?

After Draco convinced the casino manager to let him continue playing, he took Diana toward roulette and reassured her that she could trust him. As they passed a blackjack table, Diana noticed a figure seated with their back to her.

  • The manager allowed Draco to play other games as long as he followed the rules and did not disturb other guests.
  • Draco told Diana they would deliberately win and lose some rounds to avoid attracting the casino's attention.
  • Draco teased Diana about prying into his secrets, and she denied being overly excited about his wins.
  • Diana begged Draco to avoid roulette because it reminded her of David's gambling losses, but he reassured her and she agreed to follow him.
  • As Draco and Diana approached the roulette area, Diana caught sight of someone sitting with their back to her at a blackjack table.

Ch. 645Borrowing to Gamble Behind His Wife's Back, He Had Gone Completely Mad

Diana found David gambling at a blackjack table after he had borrowed money from Bellatrix and lost it all. When David remained focused on his debts and talked about borrowing more to gamble, Diana gave up on trusting him.

  • Diana recognized David at the blackjack table and watched him lose his last chips.
  • Diana confronted David, and he admitted that Bellatrix had lent him the money he gambled away.
  • Diana scolded David for borrowing money and demanded to know how he would repay the debt.
  • David said he would borrow more chips and gamble until he won back his losses, leaving Diana devastated.
  • David noticed Draco behind Diana and asked whether he had come to help repay the debt.

Ch. 646Farce

Diana confronted David over his gambling and debts in the casino, while Draco watched the public scene unfold. David left with Diana after she threatened to cut ties with him, and Draco departed the casino and removed his disguise.

  • Diana told David that his gambling had ruined their finances and that his promises to change meant nothing.
  • David slapped himself and begged Diana to forgive him, but she refused to believe his promises and apologized to Draco for the scene.
  • David asked Draco to lend him money to repay Bellatrix, humiliating Diana further.
  • Diana dragged David toward the exit and threatened to end their relationship if he would not leave; David finally followed her.
  • The casino crowd watched and gossiped as the couple left, and Draco lost interest in gambling and removed his disguise in a secluded corner.

Ch. 647An out-of-control husband, a desperate wife

After David dragged Diana back to their cruise cabin, he tried to force intimacy despite her repeated refusals. Their cabinmate Mary opened the door and interrupted him, and Diana fled the cabin while David chased after her.

  • David brought Diana to their shared cabin and assumed he could use sex to make her overlook his gambling.
  • Diana rejected David's advances, but he seized her, dragged her to the bed, and began tearing open her clothes.
  • Mary opened the cabin door and found David pinning Diana down.
  • Diana covered herself with her coat and rushed out of the cabin.
  • David stumbled after Diana, leaving Mary frozen in the doorway.

Ch. 648Sneaking around

Diana confronted David about disregarding her wishes and asked to be left alone, leaving their marriage strained. Back in the suite, Draco teased Hermione by snatching her poetry book and refusing to return it, while she struggled to keep him from reading the love poem.

  • Diana told David that his attempt to force intimacy and ignore her feelings had humiliated and frightened her.
  • David apologized and promised not to gamble or treat Diana that way again, but Diana stayed silent by the railing and asked to be alone.
  • Draco returned to the presidential suite and found Hermione absorbed in a book of classical poetry.
  • Draco snatched the book and teased Hermione, raising it out of reach and demanding that she read him a line before he would return it.
  • Hermione tried to grab the book from the cramped cradle, but her movements made it sway and loosened a button at her neckline.

Ch. 649An unfamiliar scent sparks jealousy

Hermione and Draco tussled over a book of poetry, and Draco teased her after reading a lovesick line. When Hermione smelled another woman’s perfume on him, she questioned him about where he had been and revealed her jealousy; Draco reassured her that she mattered more to him than anyone at the casino.

  • Hermione fell onto Draco while trying to take back the poetry book, and he read aloud a line about longing.
  • Draco teased Hermione about her feelings, but she noticed a woman’s perfume on him and demanded to know where he had been.
  • Draco said he had visited the casino and showed Hermione casino chips, easing her suspicions.
  • Hermione told Draco to keep his distance from other women and get rid of the unfamiliar scent, while denying she was jealous.
  • Draco held Hermione close and reassured her that the casino and its visitors were less interesting to him than she was.

Ch. 650Half-naked? Draco's Wicked Teasing

Draco teased Hermione about being jealous over an unfamiliar perfume and her love poetry, then showered before they went to eat. The chapter ended with Hermione flustered when Draco came out wearing only a towel, while he laughed and went to get dressed.

  • Draco promised to take Hermione with him next time he went out and teased her about being jealous.
  • Hermione insisted Draco shower to wash off the unfamiliar perfume before they ate.
  • While Draco showered, Hermione picked up the chips and reread the love poem, privately denying that she had been missing him.
  • Draco came out of the bathroom in a towel and teased Hermione by pretending he might pull it down.
  • Hermione ordered Draco to get dressed, and he took his clothes into the dressing room.
Arc 26 of 37
Arc 26 of 37