Vantage was ablaze with light, warm breezes ushering in the night.
Darnell pulled up in a Lamborghini and swung the door open, taking Karlee’s hand as they stepped out.
If it weren’t for Jefferson’s predicament, Darnell wouldn’t have found himself here for another three to five months. Besides the lingering memories of his clash with Samuel, there was also the fallout with Paige. Wielding someone else’s VIP card to indulge in lavish spending felt a bit embarrassing, yet here he was.
“Good evening, Mr. Halford, Miss Henning,” greeted the security and reception staff as they approached the clubhouse’s entrance, their expressions a mix of respect and astonishment.
They recognized Darnell as a high-profile guest and were aware of his formidable reputation. After all, who could forget the sight of Samuel being kicked aside?
What astonished them more was that despite the chaos of that night, where Darnell was supposed to be on the receiving end of revenge, he emerged unscathed and thriving, while Samuel was dead.
Whether it was luck or a conspiracy, they felt they should admire Darnell.
“Fourth floor,” Karlee instructed a staff member, tossing out a room number.
“Mr. Halford, Miss Henning, right this way, please.”
The tall attendant bowed slightly and led them up to the fourth floor, where they soon arrived.
The fourth floor wasn’t decorated extravagantly. It exuded a simple elegance. According to the layout map, the third floor had over twenty rooms, each equipped for gambling.
The lobby featured four billiard tables where a dozen people were engrossed in their games.
Looking around, Darnell noted that the atmosphere felt like a recreational hub, yet he could clearly see that the patrons wore one of two expressions-either they were beaming with joy, or their faces were clouded with gloom. It was evident that this place was home to winners and losers.
Karlee spoke up, “Don’t let its size fool you. You can bet on anything here-horse racing, sports, even the lottery. The daily cash flow is staggering.”
Karlee sighed wistfully. “Bets start at a hundred bucks, with no upper limit. Someone once gambled eighty million in a single night.”
Darnell chuckled, “What a place.”
As they spoke, Darnell took a deep breath, feeling the stuffy air inside.
Looking up, he noticed there were hardly any ventilation outlets. A smirk crept onto his lips. He suspected this was by design.
The dense air could cloud one’s judgment, making the gambling feel endless. Coupled with the complimentary drinks served during their stay, it was no wonder that nine out of ten people ended up losing everything.
Room 403 was their destination.
Following the curvy path guided by a pretty attendant, Darnell pushed open the door from which laughter echoed. As soon as they entered, the room fell silent.
Darnell and Karlee found themselves facing a tipsy Jefferson, his face flushed, surrounded by a group of well-dressed men and women who halted their mocking laughter, their glasses frozen mid-air.
Darnell noticed Frank and Rachael were also present, crowding around a young woman.
This woman appeared to be in her early twenties, only a few years older than Karlee, adorned in shimmering jewelry and striking looks that could captivate any man.
Standing about five foot seven, with double eyelids, an oval face, and a cherry-red mouth, she exuded an air of elegance reminiscent of a popular actress Darnell once liked.
“Karlee, Mr. Halford… what brings you here?”
Jefferson, slightly swaying, squinted at Darnell and Karlee, his surprise quickly turning to irritation.
“Amber, Frank, Rachael, tonight is our bet! Why did you bring Karlee here?”
He slammed his cards onto the table. “I haven’t lost yet! Let’s play four more rounds.”
Rachael chuckled, “You haven’t lost yet? Jefferson, you should ask yourself what you have left to lose. By the way, you still owe a lot.”
Karlee looked at Jefferson, who had most of his buttons undone and was clearly tipsy. She glanced at the scattered cards on the table and approached, her expression as cold as ever.
“Jefferson, stop playing. There’s no way you can win against them. Get up and come home with me, or we’re done for good.”
Jefferson seemed to heed Karlee’s words, biting his lip and swaying as he stood up, almost losing his balance. Luckily, Darnell was quick to catch him.
“Be careful. You’re too drunk.”
Jefferson glanced at Darnell, his expression awkward as he forced a smile. According to their promise, he should call Darnell “boss”, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.
Moreover, Darnell’s close relationship with Karlee made him feel a bit resistant. He managed to muster reluctantly, “Thanks.”
Meanwhile, Karlee was glaring at Amber Wilkes and Rachael. “Amber, if you have a problem, come at me. Why involve Jefferson?”
“If he owes you money, I’ll pay it for him!”
Frank and Rachael tried to interject but were silenced by Amber’s wave. She smiled, “Karlee, you really are protective.”
“No, it’s more about how wealthy you are. Thirty million, and you don’t even hesitate. I’ve never respected you before, but today, I’m in awe.”
“Thirty million?”
Darnell and Karlee exchanged surprised glances. They didn’t expect Jefferson to gamble that much. They thought it was just a few hundred thousand.
Thirty million was no small amount. Darnell had saved Houston’s life for fifty million, and he couldn’t help but feel envious of such wealth.
Karlee turned to a downcast Jefferson. “You lost thirty million to them?”
“To be precise, it’s forty million and thirty-eight thousand.”
Amber crossed her arms over her ample chest, one leg crossed over the other, gazing at the three with keen interest. “One million of that was collateralized with a ninety-three-square-meter river view apartment, and a Ferrari parked at the club entrance.”
“I’m generous, so I’ll waive the thirty-eight thousand. He still owes me thirty million.”
“Karlee, if you’re going to help him pay off his debts, then you need to come up with thirty million.”
“If you can’t come up with the money, I’ll just call the Dittman family!”
Amber relished the moment. “His dad is the vice president of a media group, and his mom is second-in-command at the finance department. I’m sure they can cough up thirty million.”
Rachael chimed in with a hidden blade in her smile, “If his parents can’t pay up, I’ll just hand the IOU to the media. At least it’ll fetch thirty to fifty thousand.”
She waved a piece of paper with black and white writing-undoubtedly Jefferson’s “indentured servant” contract.
Darnell watched the unfolding drama with keen interest, stepping back to lean against a long table.
He toyed with a black pen resting on the table, doodling in the guestbook as if the whole scenario didn’t concern him.
Jefferson’s face turned pale. “Don’t call them!”
If this situation escalated, not only would he face punishment from his family, but his parents would also be subjected to public scrutiny, potentially losing their jobs.
Amidst her calm demeanor, Amber suddenly turned serious, her gaze fixed on Darnell and Karlee. “If you don’t want me to call them, then hurry up and pay up. Karlee, are you not rich enough? Can’t you come up with thirty million? Or don’t you want to?”
“I’ll give you ten minutes. If I don’t see thirty million by then, Rachael, Frank, you each call the Dittman family and reach out to the media.”
Amber’s expression turned fierce. “You can handle the consequences if you can. If not, hurry up and pay off his debt.”
“Don’t go too far!”
Jefferson shouted, “I’m trying to raise the money! Just give me a little more time. Thirty million, not a cent less!”
He turned to Karlee, pleading, “Karlee, you can’t bear my debt. I’ll handle it myself. You absolutely can’t give them money.”
Wishes might be beautiful, but reality was often cruel. Jefferson made a few phone calls, all of which were rejected.
“I’ll pay!”
Karlee pulled out a card, ready to toss it onto the table. “Just give me the IOU.”
Darnell caught the card mid-air, slipping it into his pocket with a grin. “Karlee, I’m your man. If you’re going to pay, you need my approval.”
He pulled out a chair and sat down. “Haven’t you learned about marriage law?”
Karlee shot him an exasperated look. Jefferson’s eyes were red, filled with sorrow.
Frank and Rachael slammed their hands on the table. “Darnell, what do you mean? Do you want Jefferson to lose everything?”
Darnell glanced at Jefferson and replied with a faint smile, “He’s one of my men. Of course, I won’t let that happen.”
Amber eyed Darnell with interest. “So you’re Karlee’s boyfriend?”
“Yes.”
A playful smile crept onto Darnell’s face.
“But that isn’t the point. What’s important is that we have another wager to place.”