Chapter 8 I’ll Bet Everything on It!

• Anthony’s eyes lit up when he heard Steven’s suggestion. With his Carnelian vision, Anthony would win every bet. However, he had a dilemma. “I don’t have cash.” Anthony said. Although Poppy made sure he was dressed as a wealthy man, she did not give him any money.
• The people in the hall heard him and froze. What a tasteless joke, they thought. He was boasting about spending tens of billions just moments ago.
• Steven turned to Peter and said, “Peter, get them to bring us ninety plaques. Place it under my name. Each of us will hold thirty plaques, and if you win any bets, it’s yours to keep; if you lose, it’s mine anyways. Let’s have some fun!” Peter blinked at Steven. Ninety plaques were equivalent to nine hundred thousand in cash. Was it worth spending this much to gain Anthony’s friendship? Yet, Peter trusted Steven’s judgment. They were business partners for many years, and Steven never made losses before.
• “Oh no… I am so embarrassed.” Anthony said and feigned embarrassment, but his hands reached for the plaques. Steven smiled while Peter rolled his eyes.
• Poppy watched Anthony and felt at peace that he was doing well. She looked around and said, “Anthony, I see some friends around. You have fun with Steven, okay? We can meet up later.” Anthony nodded before following Steven to the gambling hall.
• “So, Anthony, what do you usually play?” Steven asked. There was not a hint of patronization in his question. His intention was plain – he wanted to befriend Anthony.
• Anthony scratched his head and said, “Steven, I don’t really gamble. Maybe you can tell me more about these games?”
• “There are many ways to bet. There is Mahjong and Baccarat…” Steven explained. After listening to Steven’s introduction to most of the games, Anthony nodded to himself. “I think I understand. Shall we try our hand at Sic Bo? That game is quite simple.”
• While wandering around the gambling hall, Anthony turned his Carnelian vision onto the tables and was elated to discover that he could see through the dice chests. Steven also told him that the house rules for this hall was that the dice were rolled before the bets were placed, which meant that with his Carnelian vision, Anthony could win every single bet!
• “Alright! Peter and I will also place some bets here…” Steven began to say. He stared as Anthony placed all his plaques down on a bet of Three Dice Total of Thirteen. “Damn, Anthony, are you sure you want to bet everything at once?”
• The probability of winning that bet was minuscule. Steven sighed internally and cursed himself for overestimating Anthony. The other betters glanced at Anthony silently. In their hearts, each of them scoffed and spat, What a stupid young man!
• Anthony shrugged. “It’s called a gamble, right? Maybe I’ll win? Steven, you’re betting too, right?” He knew Steven didn’t believe he would win, but Anthony already saw that the dice showed double Fours and a Five, making Thirteen. He wasn’t going to lose his bet! Steven and Peter exchanged a look and placed ten plaques on Three Dice Total of Thirteen out of obligation.