30 Days of Passion and Revenge-Chapter 130: A Deadly Gamble

"Mr. Carter," the dealer shuffled the cards once more before moving to Alex.

A warm smile remained on Alex’s lips as he gently pushed the top card from the stack with his fingers.

"Reveal your cards."

The dealer returned to the center of the table, her voice calm and steady.

The gambling room was so silent that the only sound left was the heavy breathing of those present.

"Snap—"

"Snap—"

Ethan and Alex simultaneously tossed their cards onto the table.

Ethan — Queen of Hearts.

Alex — Ten of Spades.

"Wow..."

A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd.

"Mr. Carter has the lower card. Please proceed."

The dealer slid the revolver over to Alex.

Ethan let out a disdainful chuckle. "Alex, it seems like your luck isn’t so great."

"It’s too early to talk about winning or losing," Alex replied calmly, picking up the revolver without fear. He pressed the barrel against his temple, his finger tightening on the trigger...

"Enough!"

Lily could no longer sit still. She stood up from her chair, her eyes locked on Alex. "Alex put the gun down!"

Are they serious? Gambling with their lives...

Have they gone mad?!

Ethan’s face darkened considerably as he glared at Lily, struggling to suppress his anger.

I thought she would be worried about me.

But all she’s worried about is whether Alex drew a higher or lower card than me.

If I were the one with the gun to my temple right now, would she have stood up for me?!

"Lily, sit back down." Alex smiled gently at her, trying to reassure her. "I’ll be fine. Pray for me."

"Put the gun down!" Lily’s voice was firm as she stared at the weapon in his hand. "If you don’t, I’ll never speak to you again!"

"Lily..."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Alex’s eyes, and his finger slowly eased away from the trigger.

Ethan’s face turned an even darker shade, his eyes blazing with an icy fury as he tapped his fingers on the table.

"Miss Anderson."

Two bodyguards immediately stepped forward, forcing Lily back into her seat.

Aiko quickly grabbed Lily’s hand and whispered, "Don’t interfere. Men never listen to women when they gamble."

The two bodyguards stood behind Lily, one on each side, holding her shoulders to keep her from moving.

Lily looked at Alex, her eyes filled with anxiety, and shook her head at him.

Don’t pull the trigger.

Don’t play this absurd game!

Alex smiled at her, his eyes full of warmth, and calmly pressed the revolver to his temple.

Lily clenched her hands tightly, closing her eyes to avoid the sight.

The room was dead silent.

No gunshot rang out. Lily exhaled in relief and opened her eyes to see Alex lowering the gun.

"Your turn."

Alex slid the gun across the table to Ethan. Ethan grabbed the revolver, his cold gaze on Alex as his long fingers wrapped around the handle. He raised it to his own temple.

Lily’s heart leaped into her throat once again.

They really are insane.

Ethan didn’t pull the trigger right away. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Lily.

Good. She’s finally looking at me now...

Lily sat in her seat, her lips pressed tightly together, her face pale and bloodless. Her wide eyes were full of fear as she stared at him.

The trigger clicked.

Another empty chamber.

"Phew..."

A collective sigh of relief came from the crowd, no one daring to breathe too loudly.

The revolver was slid back over to Alex.

Six chambers, two shots fired, four chambers left. Where is the bullet?

Alex stared down at the revolver on the table before picking it up and pressing it to his temple once again.

Everyone held their breath.

I will if I keep watching this, even if they don’t die.

"I need to use the bathroom," Lily said coldly, breaking the tension.

All eyes immediately turned toward her.

She can’t stand the thought of Alex pulling the trigger, can she?

So scared Alex will lose?!

Ethan’s eyes were filled with rage as he glared at her before waving his hand at the bodyguards behind her.

The hands on her shoulders instantly loosened, and Lily stood up, heading for the exit. But as soon as she reached the corner, her legs gave out, and she collapsed to the ground.

"Bang—"

The sound of her fall echoed back into the silent gambling room.

"Lily!"

Alex called out in concern, immediately setting the gun down on the table.

Ethan, who had been about to stand up, sat back down, his icy gaze following Alex as he rushed out of the room.

Lily was sitting on the floor, leaning against the wall, her legs trembling too much to hold her up. Alex knelt beside her, his face full of worry as he reached out to help her stand, only to have her push his hand away.

Alex’s eyes darkened as he looked down at his hand, now rejected.

He crouched down in front of her, his voice full of concern. "Are you alright?"

Her pale face was already covered in a thin layer of cold sweat and looked awful.

"Is the bullet real?" Lily asked, her voice hoarse as she stared at his gentle face.

"Yes," Alex replied, lowering his gaze.

"..." Lily’s fingers trembled as she grabbed onto his sleeve, her voice almost pleading. "Please, stop. Let’s leave. Don’t play this game anymore.

Why do they have to gamble with their lives?

If either of them dies in front of me, I’ll have a mental breakdown.

Why play such a cruel game?

"Lily, listen to me." Alex touched her trembling shoulders, his voice soft and soothing. "We grew up together. We’ve had nine years apart. I want to take you to live in Dreamhouse. I want to take you to France... Lily, we have so many things left to do. I won’t stop at this moment."

If she’s not by my side, I’d instead stop now.

Tears streamed down Lily’s face as she shook her head, sobbing uncontrollably. "No... I’m begging you. Don’t gamble anymore. I’m doing fine with him. Really, I’m doing fine."

"Lily." Alex’s voice was soft as he wiped away her tears, his tone heartbreakingly gentle. "Don’t you understand yet? Even if you’re happier with him, I want to take you away."

"... " Lily stared at him in shock.

He’s not as gentle as he looks on the outside. Deep down, he’s far more obsessive than anyone else.

He’s not the type of man who lets go of what he loves.

"Lily, I love you."

Alex smiled at her, pulling her into his arms. "Don’t worry. I’m going to survive."

Lily’s body stiffened as she leaned against him.

"Have you two hugged enough?!"

A cold voice cut through the moment.

Alex let go of Lily, and both of them looked up.

Ethan stood before them, his face twisted in fury, veins bulging on his temples. His eyes were dark and filled with malice as he stared at Lily. "You’d better not push me to kill you both right here, you disgusting pair!"

Lily flinched at the sight of his terrifying gaze, her slender body trembling as she instinctively shrank back.

The flames in Ethan’s eyes burned even hotter. Is she really that scared of me?!

She’s hugging Alex right before me, and I haven’t done anything yet, but she’s trembling in fear!

Guilty conscience?

What would they have done behind my back if they could hug like this in front of me?

Alex helped Lily to her feet, meeting Ethan’s gaze with unflinching calm. "I hope you’ll stick to the game’s rules and not take shortcuts."

Shortcuts?!

"What the hell do you mean by that, Alex?!" Ethan roared, stepping forward and slamming his fist into Alex’s shoulder.

The blow had immense force behind it.

Alex staggered back, his shoulder slamming into the wall, causing him to release his grip on Lily’s hand.

Alex steadied himself, his voice calm as he said, "I didn’t mean anything."

As he brushed past Ethan, Alex leaned in and whispered loud enough for only the two of them to hear, "In Lily’s heart, there’s nothing you can do to compete with me."

The two men returned to the gambling table, sitting at either end, while Lily stood by the doorway, afraid to step inside.

These two men were determined to take this gamble all the way... 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

Alex pressed the gun to his temple and pulled the trigger. Another empty chamber.

Ethan followed suit, pulling the trigger with the same result—no bullet.

Now, only two chambers remained, leaving a fifty-fifty chance of survival.

Ethan glanced across the table at Alex, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. He accepted a glass of wine from one of his bodyguards, taking a sip before speaking tauntingly. "Alex, you look like you could use a whiskey."

Alex’s expression wavered slightly as he stared at the revolver now placed back in front of him. His eyes darkened. After a long moment, he picked up the gun, aiming it at his temple once more, all eyes on him.

Alex glanced at Lily, a smile still playing on his lips, though sweat began to bead on his forehead.

Just as he was about to pull the trigger—

"Wait."

Lily’s voice cut through the tension. She took slow, steady steps toward the table, her eyes cold as she looked at the gathered crowd of aristocrats and socialites. "Alex came here alone. How do I know no one tampered with the gun while we were out of the room?"

"Crash—"

Ethan slammed his wine glass onto the table and stood up, his eyes burning with fury as he glared at her. "Lily Anderson! Are you accusing me of cheating?!"

She dares question whether I tampered with the gun?!

If I wanted to cheat, why would I agree to this gamble in the first place? Alex would’ve been dead a hundred times over by now!

"There’s no fairness in a game like this. I want to choose the next shot," Lily said, ignoring Ethan’s outburst as she addressed the dealer.

"That decision requires the consent of the participants," the dealer replied professionally, glancing toward both men for confirmation.

"I agree."

Alex was the first to respond, setting the revolver back on the table.

His demeanor was relaxed, and he had a faint smile.

Of course, Lily is standing up for me.

The fifth shot will definitely go to Ethan.

Just as I’ve always believed, Ethan Blackwood doesn’t stand a chance against me in Lily’s heart.

"Mr. Blackwood, what about you?" the dealer asked, turning toward Ethan.

Ethan’s eyes were glued to Lily. She wasn’t looking at him—her gaze was fixed on the table.

She wants me to take the fifth shot, doesn’t she?

If I die, she’ll finally be free to be with Alex, won’t she?

Fine.

Lily Anderson, you’ve slapped me in the face yet again.

"Fine. Let her choose the next shot."

Ethan’s voice was cold as he agreed, sitting back down, his fists clenched tightly.

Alex slid the revolver over to Lily, who stood frozen, her face pale as she stared down at the gun.

"Miss Anderson, you may now choose who will take the next shot," the dealer said in a calm and measured voice.

Everyone waited in silence.

Lily still needs to respond. She stared blankly at the revolver, her slender fingers slowly reaching to grip the gun.

Tears began to fall, streaming down her cheeks.

Seeing her cry, Alex’s expression shifted, a sense of dread washing over him. He stood up quickly, his voice urgent as he shouted, "Lily—"

But before he could finish, Lily raised the revolver and aimed it at her own head, pulling the trigger without hesitation.

Click.

Another empty chamber.

The bullet was in the sixth chamber...

Alex’s heart nearly stopped. He didn’t dare move, afraid that any sudden motion might cause the gun to go off. He stood frozen, his voice soft and pleading, "Lily, put the gun down... Please, this has nothing to do with you... Just put the gun down."

The room was deathly silent, not even a gasp of surprise escaping from the crowd. Everyone stood frozen, too stunned to react.

Ethan sat in his chair, staring at Lily in shock.

I thought she would give the fifth shot to me.

Is she an idiot? She’s just a wager; why is she pulling the trigger?!

Does she want to die?

The tension in the room reached its breaking point.

The dealer was the first to recover. She made no sudden moves, instead calmly explaining, "The last chamber contains the bullet. Whoever you choose for the final shot will lose. It’s up to the participant to decide whether or not to pull the trigger."