Chapter 328: Reap What He Sowed
“Actually, I need your help finding someone in one of your casinos,” Madelyn said, mentioning Nathan Lynch’s name. “After we find him, I might need you to come with me. Is that okay?”
Septimus, deeming this a minor favor, readily agreed. “No problem.” He summoned a subordinate. “Send a notice to all casinos; see if anyone has seen Nathan Lynch.”
“Understood,” Septimus’s subordinate replied, departing to carry out the task. Madelyn used the opportunity to introduce Tristan to Septimus, catching up with old acquaintances.
After a while, the subordinate returned. “Sir, we’ve found him. He’s gambling in a lower-tier casino in the old city district.”
They exchanged a silent glance before setting off.
A cacophony filled the old city district casino. Nathan, having just lost a hand, muttered curses under his breath. “Damn it! My luck’s rotten tonight! Are these bastards cheating?”
Unwilling to quit, he tried another game. Unexpectedly, his fortunes turned. He not only won but doubled his money. Overjoyed, he placed another bet and won again. Elated, he felt like he was on cloud nine.
Yet, it wasn't enough. With a gambler's fervor, he bet all his chips, doubling his winnings once more. His luck seemed unstoppable. Initially, his bets were small, tens of thousands, but his ambition grew, escalating to half a million, then a million. The onlookers watched in astonishment.
As if fate favored him, he quickly accumulated five million. He'd never won so much before; he felt he'd reached life's pinnacle. This was the gambler's mindset: the more they won, the more they believed fate was on their side, fueling their greed.
Overwhelmed by greed, Nathan recklessly wagered his five million. Against all odds, he won ten million. The crowd buzzed with excitement. “Nathan, you’re on a lucky streak! Go for the big one!” they urged.
“Exactly,” someone added, “Betting small is boring.”
Fifty million!
Upon hearing this astronomical sum, Nathan was stunned. “If I get that,” he thought, “I can repay my debts and live luxuriously!”
The temptation was irresistible. He nodded. “All right! I’ll do it!”
Madelyn, observing from the shadows (they had arrived earlier and remained hidden), shook her head with a sigh.
Witnessing this, Madelyn was speechless. “This kid’s hopelessly addicted,” she thought. “There’s no saving him.”
Tristan and Josiah also shook their heads. Septimus, however, was intrigued. In his years running casinos, he’d rarely seen such audacity. He wanted to see how this young man’s luck would play out.
The moment of tension arrived. The rules were simple: roll the dice, bet on the outcome. Win, and earnings multiplied; lose, and everything was gone.
Nathan, clutching his ten million chips, felt his nerves tighten with each roll. The hand shaking the dice stopped. The dealer grinned. “Make your choices quickly,” he announced.
After a moment’s hesitation, everyone decided. All eyes turned to Nathan. “Nathan, hurry up!” someone urged. “Join me and go big! With your luck, we’ll make a killing!” Others chimed in, further clouding Nathan's judgment.
Most chose "big," a few "small." Nathan, having lost his rationality, decided to follow the majority. He placed all ten million on "big." “I’m betting big!” he declared.
The dealer laughed. “Great. I’ll reveal it now.” Everyone held their breath.
The dealer uncovered the dice. “One, two, three! Small!”
The gamblers erupted in a mixture of elation and despair. Nathan was flabbergasted. He felt drained, dazed. “It’s all gone,” he thought. “Ten million… gone.”
But it wasn’t over. The dealer, smiling gleefully, announced, “Nathan, your bet was five times the stake. You lost ten million, and you owe forty million.”
The other gamblers roared with laughter. “Forty million? How can he afford that?” they jeered. “This is reaping what you sow!”
Nathan was close to breaking down. They had egged him on, persuaded him to bet big, and now gloated over his misfortune. He felt rage, but before he could express it, the casino's debt collectors descended. “Nathan, repay the forty million!” they demanded.
“Pay back the money now!”
Panic seized Nathan. He couldn't even pay ten thousand. Where would he get forty million?
He had no choice. He sprinted for the door.