Mr De Margradzo

As I continued my not-so-graceful descent into the world of high-stakes gambling, switching from blackjack to roulette, and even dabbling in some craps, the casino's energy seemed to shift. My bets were getting outrageously large—absurd enough to draw a crowd. High rollers, always on the lookout for the next big adrenaline fix, began drifting over, their curiosity piqued by the young gun throwing chips around like confetti at a parade.

The roulette table was buzzing when a trio of particularly corpulent gentlemen waddled over, each one accompanied by a lady who seemed more interested in their wallets than their waistlines. They squeezed into the spaces next to me, their arrival marked by the heavy scent of expensive cologne trying to mask the less savory odors of sweat and desperation.

"Mr. Ashburn, is it?" one of them wheezed, his jowls quivering as he plopped a massive stack of chips on red. "Heard you're part of that Ashburn clan. Never thought I'd see one of you slumming it with us common folk."

I couldn't help but grin at the visual of these guys being 'common folk.' "Oh, you know, just out here trying to keep it real, mingling with the… uh, elite," I shot back, giving his hookers a once-over. They were draped on his arms like expensive scarves, looking bored enough to file their nails.

The man chuckled, a sound that reminded me of a bulldog snoring. "Well, if you're giving away money, don't forget your old pals here, eh?" He gestured to his companions, who were all grinning like they'd just hit the buffet jackpot.

"Yeah, about that," I said, leaning in as if about to share a state secret. "I've got a better idea. Why don't you ladies take these chips and enjoy a night away from the… ahem, 'elite' company?" I flicked a couple thousand chips toward the women, who perked up faster than a meerkat on alert.

"Go on, treat yourselves. God knows you've earned a break from arm candy duty."

The women giggled, glancing at their dates who were too stunned to protest, and quickly scooted away with their newfound wealth. The men, now deprived of their decorative accessories, looked like they'd been slapped with a wet fish.

"Now, gentlemen," I continued, turning back to the game, "let's see if your gambling skills are as developed as your, uh, portfolios."

As we played, I kept the banter light but sharp, roasting them gently about everything from their choice of suits—"What is that, polyester? Halloween came early this year?"—to their gambling strategies—"If you're trying to intimidate the roulette wheel, I think it's working. It's too scared to land on your numbers."

The high rollers, a bit miffed but too intrigued by my audacity to walk away, played along. They even seemed to enjoy the verbal sparring after a few rounds, their laughter growing louder and more genuine with each passing minute.

"Kid, you've got a mouth on you, but you're alright," the bulldog-man declared, clapping me on the back with enough force to rattle my ancestors. "Haven't had this much fun losing money in years."

"Glad to be of service," I replied, scooping up my latest winnings—a meager amount compared to the chips I was tossing around but part of the game. "It's not every day you get to lighten the wallets of Dragon City's finest."

As they finally excused themselves—presumably to retrieve their wandering companions or lick their wounds—I couldn't help but chuckle. The Broke Man's System might have forced me into this bizarre high-roller persona, but damn if it wasn't turning out to be a hell of a show.

"System, tally up the night, would you?" I asked, half-expecting to see my funds depleted finally.

[Total expenditure for the evening: $47,500,000. Remaining balance: $2,500,000.]

As the disgruntled high rollers flicked their middle fingers at me—one last gesture of defiance before their retreat—I couldn't help but laugh. "Don't spend it all in one place, boys!" I called after them, my chuckle dying in my throat as the atmosphere around the table shifted from reckless gaiety to something more... charged.

The sudden circle of security guards around the table was a definite mood killer. Their uniforms were as crisp as their faces were stern, and in the middle of this unexpected assembly stood a man who looked like he chewed rocks for breakfast. His eyes locked onto me with an intensity that made the hairs on the back of my neck do a little dance.

"You must be Damon Ashburn," he rumbled, his voice like gravel being ground underfoot. "I've heard quite a bit about you."

"And none of it true, I swear," I quipped, trying to size him up without looking like I was sizing him up. His presence screamed power—and not the fun kind.

He cracked a smile, but it wasn't the warm, fuzzy kind. "I'm the head of the De Margradzo family," he introduced himself, and a chill went down my spine. Oh, shit, that De Margradzo.

"I gathered you weren't here to join me for a round of Go Fish," I said, keeping my tone light despite the sinking feeling in my gut.

His chuckle was low and humorless. "Indeed not, Mr. Ashburn. You've been quite elusive, avoiding your... obligations back in Lumen City."

Obligations. Right. He meant the whole arranged marriage fiasco with his daughter, Lily, whom I'd met once in a library—an encounter that was supposed to be the prelude to a wedding. Life really loved to throw curveballs.

"About that," I started, leaning back in my chair with all the casual air I could muster. "I'm not really in the market for a bride, especially one that comes with a 'handle with care' label."

His eyes narrowed, not quite the reaction I was hoping for. "It's not a request, Mr. Ashburn. It's an obligation—one that you're expected to fulfill."

I thought about Lily then, her fiery spirit and the way she talked about wanting freedom, not a life tethered to someone else's expectations. The last thing she wanted was to be a pawn in some power play. And honestly? Neither did I.

"Listen," I said, straightening up. "I'm not about to be anyone's slave, not even for the Ashburn legacy or the De Margradzo name. How about we settle this another way?"

His interest piqued, he raised an eyebrow. "I'm listening."

I gestured to the poker table. "One game of poker. If you win, I'll consider your... proposal more seriously. If I win, you back off, and let Lily and me live our lives how we see fit."

The head of the De Margradzo family studied me for a long moment, his gaze calculating. Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face—a predator smelling an easy prey.

"Very well, Mr. Ashburn," he agreed, motioning to the dealer to set up for a new game. "Let's play."

As we took our seats, the cards shuffled with a sound like whispered secrets. The stakes were high, possibly higher than any pot of money could match. But as the dealer dealt the first hand, I couldn't help but feel the thrill of the gamble. Here I was, playing poker not just for chips, but for my future and Lily's.

"Deal me in," I said with a grin, ready to face whatever came next. "And let's make it interesting."

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Author here: I apologize for the inconsistency in my upload as I am pre-occupied with university, etc. 

In the mean time, please go check out my new fan fiction novel I have a shadow army in one piece :).

Thank you for your patience.