I Slept with My Boss and Ran Away

When Alistair Golding saw Terrence Sterling's flush, his face turned green with envy. Alistair had made sure to rig the deck through the dealer, his man, ensuring that Terrence couldn't possibly receive a flush. Catching the dealer's eye, Alistair saw him look down in fright, unable to question Terrence's play without exposing his own deceit.

Resigned, Alistair could only accept the situation. "Deal the next hand," he said, his earlier arrogance faded. The score was now tied at one all. If Terrence won the next round, the game would be over. Alistair secretly signaled the dealer, who blinked in understanding.

As the dealer shuffled and dealt the cards, everyone in the room felt the tension, with Rick's clothes soaked in sweat. The bodyguards on both sides remained alert, awaiting their masters' commands.

Each player was dealt three cards. Alistair didn't rush to reveal his hand this time, knowing the outcome could be a matter of life or death. After calming himself with a sip of water, Alistair looked at his cards: three Kings. Thrilled, he taunted Terrence, "Let's see you beat this unless you have three Aces. Otherwise, prepare to meet your end."

Alistair flipped his cards, grinning broadly. Rick's legs went weak. "It's over, Mr. Sterling." The odds of drawing three Aces were slimmer than winning the lottery, especially on Alistair's turf.

Terrence stood up, extinguishing his cigarette, "It's indeed time to end this." He revealed his cards coolly: three Aces, topping Alistair's hand.

Alistair's face twisted in rage as he slammed the table. "Impossible!" he shouted. "Mr. Sterling, you've won," Rick said, ecstatic.

Alistair, furious, turned to the dealer, "What sort of dealing is this? Useless fool!" he yelled, and in his anger, he shot the dealer dead. It was clear Alistair intended to cheat.

Rick looked to Terrence in horror. Despite the fear, he didn't think of fleeing. Terrence, however, remained composed, his gaze growing colder. "Alistair Golding, your life is mine now."

"This is my place, no one can take my life..." Alistair replied, pulling the trigger. Terrence, prepared for such deceit, swiftly acted; Alistair's shot missed. As the bodyguards engaged, Alistair tried to shoot again. Terrence leaped across the table, disarming him with a swift kick. Before Alistair could react, Terrence's next move was fatal-a swift knife cut to the throat-then picking up the gun, he fired three warning shots into the air. "Stop! Alistair Golding is dead. Would you die for a dead man?"

Seeing their boss dead, Alistair's men ceased fighting, unwilling to sacrifice themselves needlessly. Rick stood shocked; in the blink of an eye, Alistair was dead. He had seemed untouchable, yet he fell so quickly, weakened by his vices, slower than Terrence.

Terrence had come to claim Alistair's life. With Alistair's death, the underground casino was thrown into chaos, ripe for the taking by others. But such matters no longer concerned Terrence. He ordered his men, "Find Marry and bring her to me within half an hour." With that, he walked out of the casino, unchallenged. Alistair had lost, and by the rules of their deadly game, Terrence was untouchable.

Rick followed, wiping his sweat, "Mr. Sterling, you were really lucky with that last hand; my heart nearly stopped."

"Luck?" Terrence scoffed, "If it were up to luck, I would have died in there."

"It's not about luck; it's..." Rick guessed, awed, "Mr. Sterling, so you are the real 'Gambling God'."

Terrence paused, "... The dealer took a bribe from me."

Rick realized then, "Alistair never expected his own man to betray him. What will you do with Marry? The case isn't closed yet, and if she gets into trouble, it might raise suspicions."