Felicia quickly pulled out her phone and transferred thirty thousand to Victor.
She looked apologetic, her voice soft. "I'm sorry, Victor… I really want to help, but… this is all I can manage."
Her expression was slightly embarrassed—yet sincere.
And to Victor, that only made her seem even more genuine.
Kind.
Gentle.
Almost like a perfect girl.
Money aside, it was the thought that mattered.
Sophia caught the look in his eyes immediately, and her expression darkened.
With Felicia taking the lead, the others began pitching in too.
"I've got fifty thousand."
"I can give twenty."
Even Evan transferred ten thousand over.
But after all that, they had only scraped together over one hundred and fifty thousand.
Still short of money.
Victor's face turned pale as he looked helplessly at the staff.
The staff member remained expressionless, his gaze urging him to continue.
Felicia frowned slightly, looking worried. "Everyone, check again… maybe you have some extra spending money? We can't just leave Victor stuck here."
Sophia's expression twisted.
So now she's the one playing the caring girlfriend?
Her face darkened as she unlocked her phone and transferred seventy thousand.
"This is everything I have left," she said stiffly. "I'm out."
With that, they finally reached the required amount.
The chips were handed over.
Victor shot her an annoyed look. "If you had money, why didn't you say it earlier? Were you just enjoying watching me panic?"
Some people were just like that.
Blind to what was right in front of them.
Sophia had contributed the most—seventy thousand.
But all he remembered was Felicia's contribution.
Sophia was so angry her face nearly twisted out of shape.
Who do you think I did this for?!
Felicia quickly stepped in, playing peacemaker, her expression gentle and harmless.
But Sophia's gaze lingered on her now—
Measuring.
Guarded.
***
Victor refused to give up.
He grabbed the dice again.
Riley didn't even hesitate.
"Still low."
That was the last straw.
Victor slammed the table and shot to his feet.
"Are you only capable of guessing 'low'?!" he roared. "Can't you say anything else?!"
Before Riley could respond—
The security guards were already closing in.
In an instant, three or four guards rushed forward and pinned him flat against the table.
THUD!
A cold blade flashed.
A dagger slammed down beside his face, the tip grazing dangerously close to his cheek.
Victor's legs nearly gave out.
He almost pissed himself.
Evan and the others hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
Nearby, the manager let out a cold snort.
"At Auremere, we do not tolerate people who can't afford to lose."
The warning was clear.
Victor immediately shut up, his arrogance gone.
He turned back toward Sophia, panic replacing anger.
Sophia's face was pale. "I really don't have any money left."
"Then call your family and get them to send some!" Victor snapped.
"No!" she said instantly. "If my dad finds out, I'm dead!"
So what now?
Victor darted a fearful glance at the guards behind him.
He didn't dare act out again.
All he could do was glare at Sophia, silently urging her to figure something out.
Just then—
A clear, light voice cut through the tension.
Riley blinked innocently.
"Oh? Wasn't it your birthday last month, Felicia?" she said sweetly. "I remember Dad gave you three hundred thousand as your birthday gift. Why not take that out and help your good friend?"
She tilted her head, smiling.
"Unless… you've already spent it all? But you're always so frugal, aren't you?"
The room fell silent.
In an instant, every gaze turned toward Felicia.