Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 385

"You'll see when we get there. It's really close to our hotel." She had actually wanted to book a room at the hotel they were heading to, but she hadn't mentioned it out of fear Julius would object.

Given how proper and refined he was, she figured he wouldn't exactly love staying at a place like that.

Seeing she was determined to keep it a secret, Julius stopped pressing.

She was right about it being close, though. The ride took barely ten minutes.

Stepping out of the car, Julius tilted his head back to take in the towering, brightly lit, utterly extravagant architecture.

He glanced down at his young wife in silent realization.

He had assumed she was taking him to some famous tourist attraction. Well, she was—just not the kind he expected.

This was indeed one of Port City's most famous spots, but was it really the right environment for a girl like her?

What exactly was she planning?

Stella linked her arm through his. "Come on, let's go inside and take a look around. This is a legendary spot in Port City; everyone who visits has to check it out."

Since they were already there, Julius simply followed her lead.

The place was a literal city that never slept. The interior was absolutely packed, bustling with energy and a vibrant, chaotic atmosphere.

Stella navigated the massive floor with the ease of a local, giving him a quick tour before saying, "Everything out here is just small change for tourists looking to kill time. Let me show you how the real masters play."

Julius finally couldn't hold back his curiosity. "Stella, how do you know this place so well?"

"Didn't I tell you? I've spent time in Port City before." She led him straight toward the VIP section.

Julius wanted to ask more, but seeing the sharp-suited guards stationed at the entrance of the VIP lounge, he swallowed his questions.

Two men in sharp black suits stood watch. Seeing the couple approach, they extended an arm to block their path. "Apologies, but access requires a super VIP membership."

But the stakes here were astronomical. Anyone sitting at these tables had to have a net worth well over a hundred million just to get a seat.

Stella led him to a table that had drawn the biggest crowd.

Aside from the dealer, there were only two people playing—a man and a woman. However, five or six spectators stood around them, including the two men they had seen earlier that afternoon at the old restaurant on Trinity Lane.

It was honestly surprising to see those two here; their outfits were far too casual and low-profile for a room like this.

Sitting opposite the woman was a middle-aged man in his forties. His hair was slicked back flawlessly, and though his face was round, his eyes gleamed with a sharp, calculating intelligence.

He chuckled smoothly. "Nina, I heard you went into seclusion for a while. Your skills must be sharper than ever now. I came here tonight specifically for you. Let's have a good game, and don't let me down."

To Stella, his smile looked exactly like a predator baring its teeth.

The woman across from him, Nina, was a stunning, glamorous powerhouse. Her chestnut hair fell in thick, sweeping waves down her back, and she wore a sleek, plunging black dress that clung to her curves, inevitably drawing eyes.