The Sleeper's Wrath and His Wife's Strike novel Chapter 203

"Are you going to hit again?" Arthur asked Jack.

Jack hesitated. Drawing anything below a nine would be fine, but a ten or higher would mean an automatic loss. He couldn’t risk it.

"I'll stand."

"If you won't, I will."

Arthur’s words didn't cause the slightest flicker of emotion on Lindsay’s face. She knew from the start that he intended to throw the game. No sane person would hit on nineteen. This was a clear attempt to lose.

Sure enough, Arthur's third card was an eight. He busted instantly, his total a worthless twenty-seven.

"Damn! Busted. Twenty-seven. How boring," Arthur grumbled, theatrically slamming his cards on the table.

"It certainly is boring when someone with nineteen deliberately hits to lose," Lindsay said coolly, making sure Jack heard every word.

Jack's face tightened, but he forced a smile. "No more going easy on me for the last two rounds, Arthur. I might start to think you don't respect me."

"You're overthinking it. I was just feeling greedy, trying for twenty-one," Arthur lied smoothly. He and Jack were business partners, and gambling was their favorite pastime, but Jack’s luck was consistently terrible, and he almost always lost.

The second round began.

Just like the first round, Arthur's luck was impeccable. His first two cards gave him a solid seventeen.

Jack, on the other hand, had to draw three cards just to reach fifteen. He didn't dare take another, terrified he would bust.

But Arthur, once again, insisted on taking a third card. And, unsurprisingly, he busted again.

Though the whisper was low, Lindsay heard it clearly. *Finally,* she thought. *It's time.*

"This ship is huge. He won't find us here," Arthur said dismissively. He had expected Yves to show up eventually. "Just keep an eye on him."

The henchman nodded and retreated.

Jack turned back to Arthur. "Does the bet still stand?" If not, he was ready to make a scene.

"Of course it does," Lindsay answered before Arthur could speak.

Arthur stared at her, utterly bewildered. Was she actively seeking death? Did she think being fed to sharks was some kind of joke?