30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 129: A Dangerous Bet

Ethan’s eyes flashed with a hint of cunning as he hung up the phone.

Alex Carter...

Lily Anderson, I’ll make sure you forget that name completely!

Lily’s mental state had been deteriorating over the past few days—she had become incredibly lazy.

Whenever she fell asleep, it was as if she sank into a deep slumber, impossible to wake from without loud noises. In the past, no matter how tired she was, she had never been like this.

When she was awake, her life was a cycle of staring into space—she did nothing but stare blankly.

A whole day would pass, and she’d barely turn a few pages of a novel. She couldn’t focus on anything.

She rarely felt like eating, and she was utterly devoid of appetite. Dr. Joel gave her nutrient infusions at Ethan’s command to keep her body functioning.

Despite not eating for several days, her stomach wasn’t hurting.

It was baffling.

Every night, she dreamed that Ethan was feeding her, though she wasn’t sure if it was real or a figment of her imagination. She could remember some vague fragments, even remembering his deep, unreadable gaze as he looked at her...

But those memories were so jumbled that she couldn’t distinguish between reality and dreams.

Would Ethan come to feed her every night?

A few nights later, Aiko Nakamura burst into Lily’s room with a bright smile, holding a beautifully designed, elegant evening gown. "Lily, it’s time to change!"

Lily groggily shook her head, looking at her in confusion.

"Tonight is the night of the gambling ship!"

Aiko announced excitedly.

Is the bet between Alex and Ethan tonight?

Lily closed the novel in her hands.

Aiko was dressed in a floor-length magenta evening gown with a plunging V-neckline, making her youthful face appear far more mature. Her neck and wrists sparkled with eye-catching jewelry.

The scent of Aiko’s perfume filled the room.

"Come on, Lily, change into your evening dress. Tonight will be an unforgettable night," Aiko said, walking over and taking Lily’s hand.

Unforgettable?

It certainly will be—after all, I’m about to be placed on the gambling table as a wager.

Lily stood up and coldly tossed the evening gown Aiko was holding onto the floor.

"Lily?" Aiko looked at her in shock. "What’s wrong? You don’t like the dress? There’s still time; I can pick another one for you."

"Wagers don’t need to dress up."

In this bet between Alex Carter and Ethan, she had been reduced to a lowly wager.

Did they expect her to dress up to earn the crowd’s admiration? So everyone could see how beautiful this "wager" was?

"But you’re dressed." Aiko glanced at Lily’s outfit—she was wearing a sweater and a short skirt that barely reached her knees. The casual, homey look wasn’t suitable for such a grand event; she looked more like a student than someone attending an upscale gathering.

Lily lowered her gaze and stepped on the beautiful evening gown, crushing it under her foot.

The gown was utterly ruined.

"..." Aiko realized Lily had no intention of changing and could only say, "Well, let’s go then... Ethan is already waiting."

In the long limousine—

Ethan sat at the back, a glass of red wine in his hand, his figure shadowed by darkness. His eyes darkened further when he saw Lily get into the car.

He had already expected that she wouldn’t change her clothes.

She was going to the gambling ship, yet she dressed no differently than usual, looking like a student heading to an interview.

Lily didn’t even glance in his direction, choosing instead to sit on the side seat, completely ignoring him.

Ethan fought the urge to throw his wine glass.

Tonight... he wasn’t going to touch her.

Aiko sat beside Ethan, taking the half-finished glass of wine from his hand and sipping it delicately. "1990’s Rothschild Napa—Ethan, you have great taste."

Ethan shot her a cold glance but didn’t respond.

"Lily, would you like to try it? It’s a great wine," Aiko said with a sweet smile, her arm hooked around Ethan’s.

Lily closed her eyes, feeling the familiar wave of exhaustion creeps over her.

Lately, it seemed like she could never get enough sleep...

Ethan and Lily ignored Aiko’s attempts to engage with them, causing her to pout in frustration. She lowered her head, her cherry-red lips forming a slight, dissatisfied pout as she leaned against Ethan’s shoulder.

Ethan’s gaze remained fixed on Lily, more intense than usual.

Her posture was as proper as always: her legs together, hands resting on her knees, and lengthy hair neatly framing her clean, delicate face. Her eyes were gently closed, and her eyelashes cast shadows over her cheeks.

Who does she want to win tonight’s gamble?

Alex Carter?

In her heart, there couldn’t possibly be another answer...

To her, I’m nothing but a disgusting, repulsive scumbag.

The coldness in Ethan’s eyes grew even sharper.

The limousine made its way toward the city’s South Sea. The entire journey was silent, and a suffocating tension filled the car.

Once they arrived, Lily stepped out with Ethan and Aiko, the chilly night wind hitting her face.

A luxurious cruise ship was docked at the port.

The ship’s name was "Dylan."

The Dylan was a famous gambling ship in the city, backed by powerful connections. There was no crackdown on gambling, and it sailed freely through the South Sea, flaunting its lavishness.

Some said that the amount of money exchanged on the ship in just one night could save an entire island of starving people and keep them wealthy for ten years.

It was a notorious den of extravagance known by everyone in the city.

The ship was brightly lit, and many ladies dressed in glamorous outfits stood at the railings, waving down to them with their male companions by their sides.

All this for a single gamble?

Lily felt a wave of disgust.

"Mr. Carter has reserved the ship for tonight, Mr. Blackwood. Please, come aboard," a man with a manager’s badge greeted them, bowing respectfully at a 90-degree angle.

Ethan didn’t acknowledge him, striding directly toward the ship.

Aiko clung tightly to his arm, her face adorned with a sweet smile.

Lily stared at the massive ship momentarily before quietly following behind them.

As they stepped inside, a group of brightly dressed women began dancing energetically, the pulsing music filling the air.

"This way, Mr. Blackwood."

The manager led them forward, followed by the city’s elite.

No wonder they call this place a money pit, Lily thought as she glanced around. The ship was filled with every form of gambling imaginable—slot machines, roulette wheels, everything a gambler could dream of.

Alex Carter stood before a dark wall, his hands in his pockets, his head slightly lowered. The bright lights illuminated his sandy brown hair, giving him an air of calm and gentleness.

Ethan, walking in front of the front, came to a stop, his cold gaze fixing on Alex.

Lily looked at him, her eyes betraying a hint of worry.

Is his injury healed?

After a moment, Alex raised his head, his noble, refined demeanor immediately catching everyone’s attention. His gaze skimmed over Ethan and Aiko, landing on Lily, who was dressed simply.

Their eyes met.

Alex’s eyes softened, and his lips curved into a perfect, heart-melting smile.

These two dare to exchange glances in front of me?!

Ethan’s eyes turned icy cold. He shoved Aiko aside and roughly pulled Lily to his side, wrapping an arm around her, his gaze challenging Alex.

His possessiveness was on full display.

Lily frowned but didn’t resist.

In a setting like this, if she embarrassed Ethan, she’d be the one to pay the price.

Alex’s gaze dimmed as his eyes drifted from Ethan’s hand on Lily’s shoulder. He maintained his polite, distant smile. "This way, please."

They entered a grand, opulent gambling room. Bodyguards stood along the walls, their hands behind their backs, their faces expressionless.

A well-dressed dealer stood by the long gambling table, smiling as she looked at them. "Ladies and gentlemen, would you care for some whiskey before we begin?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the dancing women returned, carrying trays of drinks and moving gracefully through the crowd, offering them to the guests.

"Please."

Alex’s voice was soft and polite as his gaze again landed on Lily. His warm eyes silently reassuringly surrounded her.

Tonight was the biggest gamble of his life.

He could not afford to lose.

Lily... must leave with him.

Alex sat gracefully at one end of the gambling table, his movements elegant and composed.

Ethan released Lily and sat opposite Alex, his posture filled with arrogance and disdain.

A long gambling table separated the two men.

"Mr. Blackwood, Mr. Carter, how would you like to gamble? What game? Showhand?" the dealer asked, shuffling a deck of cards with practiced skill.

Everyone gathered around the gambling table, holding their drinks, waiting quietly for the match to begin.

"Lily, we should sit over there," Aiko whispered as she pulled Lily toward the chairs behind the dealer. As they sat down, she leaned close and whispered in Lily’s ear, "Are you nervous? The game hasn’t started, and I’m already feeling jittery."

Nervous?

Lily glanced at Aiko expressionlessly, then returned to the gambling table.

The two men sat facing each other across the table. Ethan’s usual arrogance and wildness were evident in every look he gave, his eyes filled with contempt.

"If I win, Lily comes with me," Alex said calmly, his eyes unwavering as he stared at Ethan. His gaze was full of determination.

Is Alex being too naive? The wager was about more than just Lily.

"If you lose, you die."

At Ethan’s words, a cold smile spread across his face. He raised an eyebrow at Alex, his voice cold and taunting.

If you lose, you die.

The crowd gasped in shock.

"Agreed." Alex didn’t hesitate for a second.

For these two men fighting over a woman, the loser would suffer a fate worse than death. This was about pride.

"Russian Roulette."

Ethan’s voice was icy as he spoke to the dealer.

"Whoa—"

The crowd gasped even louder than before. Everyone held their breath.

Russian Roulette?

What is that?

Lily stared at the gambling table, confused. Beside her, Aiko, equally puzzled, whispered, "What’s Russian Roulette? Isn’t betting your life going a bit too far?"

Of course, it’s serious...

This wasn’t about money—it was about putting your life on the line.

Hearing Ethan’s command, the dealer hesitated for a moment. "That’s the most dangerous gamble we offer on the ship."

When one of the dancers brought out a tray, Lily froze at seeing what was on it—a revolver and a single bullet.

What are they planning to do?!

As the crowd held their breath, the dealer picked up the gun and the bullet, explaining professionally, "During World War I, defeated Russian soldiers used this game to pass the time. That’s where the name comes from."

The dealer opened the cylinder and loaded the bullet. "The revolver has six chambers but only one bullet. The participants take turns pointing the gun at their own temple. The one who shoots themselves loses. If anyone backs out, they also lose. The one who survives wins."

Both Ethan and Alex remained unfazed.

"Click—"

The dealer spun the cylinder a few times before placing the revolver in the center of the table.

Lily bit her lip. How could anyone invent such a cruel game?!

Is the bullet even real?!

"Alright, draw your cards. The one with the lower card goes first."

The dealer explained as she shuffled the deck skillfully, moving toward Ethan.

Ethan reached out and drew a card casually, his deep gaze landing on Lily’s pale face. She was staring at him.

She no longer had the empty, expressionless look she’d had the past few days.

He could clearly sense her tension, her anxiety...

Is she worried that I’ll draw the lower card?

Ethan looked away, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Mr. Carter." The dealer reshuffled the deck and moved toward Alex.