Chapter 106: Gamble(3)

James and Ben came to a halt and stared at Selena's cards. She did indeed win, making them shiver with nervousness and grimace with dissatisfaction. James then spoke up, even though he was under stress.

"T-there's still one more round to go. Don't be too arrogant."

James smiled as he clenched his teeth.

'She was too quick to win! How can a woman defeat me?!'

Clap, clap

Everyone's gaze then shifted to Luke, who suddenly clapped. He was clapping for Selena and smiling, and Liam was doing the same, looking proud.

"Way to go."

Selena then cockily flicked her hair, as if her victory was no big deal.

"Ha! Easy!"

Luke just continued to lightly clap at her since she deserved it anyway. Liam and Nash were doing the same.

"All right, then. Let's go for a second round!"

------

"Wow... there are a lot of kids."

Selena gazed at the tattered and filthy children who were terrified of her and Luke. They have such a vast number of children that they can probably cover the entire casino from east to west.

"What are they doing to the kids, those filthy bastards..."

After winning round two, James and Ben got displeased and left shortly after allowing Luke to sign the ownership contract, leaving Luke and his crew along with this gang of kids held underground.

Luke groaned with annoyance and turned to face the terrified children.

"Hey kids, you're now free. What do you want to do now?"

One of the children, who appeared to be the oldest, stared at Luke suspiciously.

"What do you mean when you say 'free'? We are not fooled by your lies!"

Luke sighed and held up the ownership contract, drawing the children's attention to him. They then flinched at Luke's next movements.

Riiiiip!

Luke ripped up the contract and stomped on it. He then gave the older child a friendly smile.

"Do you believe me now?"

The oldest took a step back and examined the torn contract under Luke's foot. She then proceeded to speak with care.

"Are we truly free? Are you sure you're not deceiving us?"

"Why would I deceive a child? That's ridiculous. Let me now ask you a question: what do you want to do now? Return to your parents' house? Travel?"

The children remained silent until the oldest spoke on their behalf.

"...We don't have any parents."

"Really? How about going to an orphanage?"

Luke cocked his head to the side as the kids all shook their heads. The eldest then spoke up once more.

"If we go back there, everything will be the same. Even if we were able to avoid kidnappings, no one nowadays is interested in adopting a child. When we're old enough, the orphanage will just put us on the streets."

While gazing at the children, Liam remained mute. The comments of the oldest child struck him hard in the chest, as he, too, was dumped by the orphanage once he was old enough to be fed. If the fate of these children is the same as his, they will all starve and be forced to eat garbage.

"Oh? I see... Should I contact someone who can act as your guardian?"

"Huh?"

"What?"

"Brother?"

Selena and Liam, the children, had astonished looks while at Luke. Luke simply disregarded them and drew a magical communication gadget from his pocket. Nash quickly grasped the situation and dialed a certain number, which was promptly answered.

• You scoundrel, what the heck are you seeking for this time- what the hell?

With the children behind him, Luke waved joyfully at the camera. Lance, as he was called, then gazed at the mass of children in the background of the screen, which was filled with perplexity and disbelief.

"Hello, Your Highness, it appears that you are in the mood for a cool stroll through the garden, huh?"

Luke then examined Lance's surroundings, which appears to be in a garden, which is ideal.

• What's up with those kids behind you, you bastard?

"Do not speak in such a manner, your highness; your reputation as their guardian will be tarnished."

•Hold on, guardian? What are you talking about, exactly?

Luke smiled at the children who were staring at him blankly, ignoring Lance's question.

"Kids, did any of you want to work at the palace?"

The eldest then inquired, surprised.

"T-the palace?"

"Yes, do you wish to work as a mage or a knight there?"

Lance, Liam, Selena, and the kids, were all mute from shock and astonishment.

· Wait, wait, wait! Hold the fuck up! What do you mean work here?! Are you crazy?!

"Do you not feel sorry for these unfortunate children, Your Highness? They aren't even attending for free. They'll go there to learn and eventually serve you. Am I correct, kids?"

The children's eyes began to shine, and they all nodded at the same time. Lance's shoulders fell as he groaned and resisted the urge to curse.

• I hate you so much...

"Don't worry, your highness, I hate you as well."

• You son of a bitch.

"Then I'll take that as a yes."

Luke then turned to face the children and grinned.

"Did you hear what he said, kids? He said yes."

The children's faces lit up, and they began to embrace one another in joy. After that, Luke smirked at Lance, who was frowning while staring at the screen. Lance notices his smirking and secretly raises his middle finger to express his irritation and dissatisfaction, but Luke ignores him.

"All right, it's time to leave."

Luke came to a halt as the youngsters halted and stared at him. The kids immediately rushed over to Liam, Selena, and Luke and gave them a group hug.

Lance, on the other side of the screen, was dissatisfied with what was going on.

• Isn't this a bit unjust? I'll be the one to look after them, but you people received the gratitude? Unbelievable.

The kids broke their hugs and congregated in one spot, led by Liam and Selena. Nash activated the portal after they were all gathered, and Luke waved to the children before they all went to the royal garden.

A bright light appeared on the screen, and Luke saw that all of the children had been safely transferred to Lance.

"I'll leave them in your care, Your Highness."

• Fuck you, don't talk to me.

"Wow, how cold. My older brother is becoming a grouch once again."

Lance scratched his temples and gazed at the throng of children who had nearly taken over the entire garden.

• Luke, you gave me children at the wrong time.

"Are you simply saying that to make me feel bad?"

• I hate you.

"I hate you too. Goodbye, your highness."

Luke then ended the call and gave a satisfied nod. He immediately became aware of Selena and Liam's stares and looked at them, perplexed.

"What are you looking at?"

Selena opened and closed her mouth several times before deciding not to say anything, and Liam is in the same boat. Luke simply shrugged and raised his communication gadget once again.

"Call Tina,"

Nash smiled and dialed Tina's number. Tina's face showed after a few beeps, and Luke instantly spoke.

"Tina, could you please go to James' house and demolish it for me?"

• You are straight as ever. And by the way, by you mean house, you mean all of it?

"Yes, don't leave a single one behind. Also, collect all of his money and valuables for me. We'll split the money in half."

Tina laughed.

• Aren't you a bit stingy? 7-3, perhaps?

Luke came to a halt but eventually nodded. He still has a lot of money, so it's not a big deal if he loses some.

• Tsk, I should've set the bar a little higher if I'd known you'd agree so quickly.

"Enough with the talk. I'll leave everything to you."

•Sure, but what am I supposed to do with James?

"You deal with him on your own."

Tina then gave a frigid smile. Luke gulped as she appeared to be plotting something in her head.

• Alright. I'll take care of him, see you later.

"Hmm."

Luke abruptly hung up the phone and sighed in exhaustion. When Liam notices this, he begins to back him up. He then inquires, concerned.

"Why don't we go home now, brother?"

"Hmm."

Luke then climbed onto Liam's secured back and dozed out.