The Sleeper's Wrath and His Wife's Strike novel Chapter 202

"Then why ask?"

"You're as defiant as ever. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right now?" Arthur raised an eyebrow. From the moment she'd been brought on board, she hadn't even deigned to look him straight in the eye. He'd expected her to grovel and beg for her life like all the others.

"If you wanted to kill me, you would have done it already. Why wait for me to say the wrong thing? Killing me isn't your goal," Lindsay said, her voice calm. She had seen through his intentions from the start but had chosen not to say so.

In a flash, Arthur’s hand shot out and clamped around her throat. His deep blue eyes narrowed, glinting with a cold light. "You think you're so clever, don't you? Constantly challenging me. You really think I won't kill you."

Lindsay met his gaze without flinching, the corner of her lip curling into a knowing smirk, as if to say, *Go on, try me.*

After a long moment, Arthur released her. "You've got guts. But I'll have you crying and begging for mercy soon enough."

Lindsay maintained her breezy indifference, acting as if his threat had been directed at someone else entirely.

Just then, a henchman hurried over. "Boss, Jack is waiting for you in VIP room one."

Arthur grabbed Lindsay's shoulder and steered her toward the room.

Inside, Arthur greeted Jack with a warm smile.

"Arthur," Jack said, his curious eyes sweeping over Lindsay from head to toe. "And who is this?"

It was the first time he'd ever seen Arthur with a woman. *Interesting,* he thought. *She must mean something to him.*

"She's tonight's stake," Arthur said with a cold smile. "Don't underestimate her. She's worth a lot."

Lindsay’s brow furrowed as she shot Arthur a glare. He was using her as a bargaining chip.

"Well now! A beautiful stake. Much better than money," Jack said, a predatory grin spreading across his face. He'd already lost to Arthur twice, and he was determined to win tonight. "If I win her, she's mine to do with as I please, right?"

Arthur nodded. "Naturally."

Arthur clicked his tongue. "Aren't you afraid I'll lose on purpose?"

"Isn't that your whole plan?" Lindsay replied, her face a mask of indifference. "To lose deliberately and leave me at his mercy?"

Arthur's expression darkened. It was as if this woman could read his mind.

The game began.

Jack drew first, a seven. Arthur followed with a King.

Jack drew again, a five, bringing his total to twelve. He was nine points away from twenty-one, but if his next card was a ten, he'd bust.

Arthur drew his second card and got a six, landing him at a strong nineteen.