Sometimes, disappointment could also result in happiness. People were often disappointed when their
expectations were not satisfied. There were expectations when two people were in love. In this case,
as painful as the experience was, the disappointment still brought a certain kind of happiness.
**
QY Island was very pleasant in the morning when the gentle sea breeze blended with the moisture that
was slightly salty, and the heavy fragrance of grass and flowers. It made you forget the city noise that
could often be bothersome.
Hanson sat on a wooden chair, casually swinging his legs from side to side. A pair of sunglasses
covered his evil eyes so people couldn't see through him. His lips were slightly pursed. At first sight,
Hanson didn't appear handsome, but he was of a unique temperament that few people could ignore.
"Sir, your juice and sandwich. Enjoy your breakfast," a waiter said as he placed the order on a white
carved wooden table.
Hanson threw a tip to the waiter and dismissed him. Hanson sat up straighter in his chair, then started
to gulp down his breakfast in a manner far from elegant. His uncouth manners disappointed the women
in the restaurant, who were eyeing him dreamily. They sighed deeply, thinking that not all men having
breakfast in the open air restaurant with the view of the sea were perfect. They were probably just
nouveau rich!
But Hanson couldn't care less what these women thought about him. He was far different from the
steady and calm person who sat at the gambling table and faced Brian. He gobbled up the entire
sandwich and took a big gulp of the juice. Meanwhile, Brian kept his poker face with not even his
eyelids stirring, when he saw Hanson. Molly's mouth dropped open a little as she tried to reconcile the
man she was looking at now with the man who strutted proudly at the gambling table.
Grasping Molly's hand, he pulled her with him as they approached Hanson's table and occupied the
table next to his. Brian politely ordered breakfast and then closed his eyes to listen to the morning
which provided unique comfort.
He thought Brian would say hello to him, but Hanson was disappointed when all he did was pass by his
table.
The thoughtless and arrogant behavior enraged him that he nearly fumed. Hanson was a street kid
before becoming an apprentice to the God of Gamblers. Endowed with unusual intelligence, he earned
the admiration of the God of Gamblers. From that time on, people gave him preferential treatment out
of courtesy or thoughtfulness.
"Bri..." Molly said hesitantly. She peered at Hanson in the next table then turned to Brian. "Hanson has
been staring at us. Should we say hello to him?" she asked, Uneasy, Molly waited for Brian's response.
The events of the previous night healed Molly. It made her change her mind. Molly decided she would
try being with Brian, doing it either for Mark or for herself. But she had to give him and herself a
chance.
Arrogantly, Brian said, "Have you ever seen a boss greeting a subordinate before the subordinate
greets the boss?" His tone was icy yet loud enough to be overheard in the next table.
Brian's response completely dumbfounded Molly. Then she remembered the high-stakes game they
played last night and fell silent.
As he was gulping down the juice when Brian spoke, Hanson nearly spewed the liquid onto the table.
He gnashed his teeth but had no choice except admit that because he lost the bet, he was obliged to
take orders from Brian before the time he won his freedom back.
Shortly after, the waiter arrived with Brian and Molly's breakfast. They started eating. No matter what
he did, Brian always acted with finesse, and this was what made him so strange. He might look like the
devil, but he always conducted himself graciously like a fine gentleman from a noble clan.
Molly threw furtive glances at Hanson while they ate. She wondered when the man would swallow his
pride and sincerely work for Brian.
Unexpectedly, Hanson cleared his throat, which made Molly turn to him. He finally lost his cool and
broke the ice by saying, "Mr. Brian Long, are we wasting too much time?"
One eyebrow raised, Brian replied, "No, I don't think so." Calmly, he raised his glass and took a sip of
milk.
Rolling his eyes, Hanson complained, "Come on, Mr. Brian Long. I'm here to help you."
"Oh, are you?" Brian mocked him. Poker face still in place, Brian continued, "Are you really here to help
me, or are you just waiting for a chance to deal with Chester?" **
Pursing his lips, Hanson blew out a breath and conceded, "Yeah, I want to prove something to Chester.
But you can't deny that I can be of help to you, too." Slightly annoyed, Hanson added, "I won't deal with
him just yet."
Imperiously, Brian answered, "No one can provide you with the highest platform, the most powerful
background, and make you and your master free from unnecessary misfortunes, except me. So you
have no other choice!" He looked unconcerned when he uttered the words as if he was speaking of
something ordinary.
As she stared at Brian, Molly became lost in thought. He was right. Brian was born to control everything
and everyone around him. It seemed that there was nothing outside of his authority.
Even Hanson was taken aback by his words. He didn't expect Brian to be immediately aware of his
intentions. Embarrassed, he asked, "Why did you agree to the bet?"
Passing Molly the remains of his ham, Brian replied, "Wasn't it your intention to draw my attention when
you caused a stir at the Grand Night Casino?"
"Are there so many people who play such tricks at Grand Night Casino?" Hanson asked.
"Yes!" Brian snapped. He cut bread for Molly as he continued to speak, "Chester just returned to QY
Island from Las Vegas."
"So what?" Hanson retorted.
Nodding to Molly to indicate that she should eat more, Brian replied. "Nothing. But I have to tell you that
I know something about the God of Gamblers." Brian tilted his head to the right to be able to see
Hanson.
Hanson pressed his lips again, but made no comment.
Turning his head away from Hanson, Brian tenderly wiped the bread crumbs from Molly's mouth with a
napkin before saying, "A common gambler is unable to gather so many rich men and then set such a
rule only with roulette."
Snorting loudly, Hanson asked arrogantly, "Did you never think of losing when you learned who I was?"
"Lose? To you?" Brian scoffed. His mouth twisted slightly into a sneer. Confidently, Brian said, "There
are very few people who can defeat me." How egotistic! But not many people would criticize or even
dislike Brian because he spoke haughtily. The man had earned the right to be arrogant. "Compared to
other games, it is more tricky to manipulate roulette," Brian explained.
Hanson, too, had pride. He was reluctant to demean himself by playing tricks when his opponent knew
little about gambling, so he chose roulette. He was sure of winning, but unfortunately, things didn't turn
out as expected. Hanson had no idea Brian was good at double-hit trick.
"You could have won five games. Why did you let me win?" Hanson asked.
Equally confused as Hanson was Molly. She raised her eyes and was about to ask Brian when he
smiled at her, so she kept quiet. Delighted with Hanson's question, he replied, "It would have been hard
to make you gamble with yourself and work for me voluntarily if I won all the games, right?"
Hanson was stunned. His beautiful eyes flashed with anger. The man hummed to calm down. The truth
was, he figured out Brian's strategy the moment he lost. He had to admit Brian was brilliant. He could
not have won if Brian didn't allow him to win. * Figuring out how he lost was one thing. Hearing it
verified by Brian is another. And Hanson didn't like it one bit.
And Brian had seen through his resentment. Coldly, he said, "I can give you another chance. When
you've resolved the issues between you and Chester, we can bet again. You can leave if you win. As to
what the stakes will be, this will be your choice!"
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