They Played Dirty. I Played Deadly.

Jenson's POV

I used to be the King of Gambling. But I had already retired from the underground scene and wanted nothing more to do with the game.

But life had other plans.

My mother was dragged into a setup. My old rival took her hostage just to force me back into the game and face him one more time.

But no matter what hand I played, it was like he could read my mind.

At first, I thought it was just a fluke—one bad game. But I was wrong. I lost everything until I was completely bankrupt.

The fans who once worshiped me hurled rocks and even urine at me, screaming in my face and mocking me online.

“King of Gambling? Please. He was just lucky, that’s all.”

“Can’t believe I used to look up to this loser. Makes me sick.”

Then came the worst betrayal.

My wife shattered my mother's leg before tossing her into the sea. And that very night, my wife filed for divorce.

When I confronted her, demanded to know why she did that to my mother, she threw herself into my enemy’s arms, smiling seductively as she whispered, “I’m just helping Martin clear away his obstacles.”

Martin Mckinney wrapped his arm around her and forced me to watch them putting on a live sex show right in front of me like I was nothing.

And that wasn’t the end.

He even tossed me into a den of wolves until I was torn apart.

That was the miserable end of my last life. It all started with a single game, and I lost everything—my pride, my reputation, my family, and eventually, my life.

But when I opened my eyes again, I was back on the same day of the fateful game against Martin.

——

The pain of being mauled by wolves and the humiliation of watching my wife in another man’s bed made me die with my eyes wide open.

'Cecilia. Martin. I won't forgive you even in hell.'

I thought I was dead for good. But someone up there must have pitied me because I got a second chance.

I looked down at the cards in my hand and the crowd buzzing around me.

Before me, Cecilia Turner was sitting on Martin’s lap, the two of them flirting shamelessly in front of everyone, doing things no one wanted to see.

Just as my hand almost reached for the chips to raise the bet, I snapped out of it. I pulled back quickly, my breath ragged, heart pounding.

My eyes then scanned the room and saw familiar faces, the same people who would betray or mock me. In an instant, I realized I had come back to that day Martin set me up at the poker table.

If I pushed those chips forward and matched his bet, I’d be stepping right back into the same trap.

“Jenson, you in or not?” someone called out.

“He’s probably too scared to go in. Well, can’t blame him. He’s already lost a few rounds.”

“Pfft. This is the so-called King of Gambling? He’s a joke next to Martin.”

“He probably cheated in the past. That’s how he won before!”

Their jeers pierced my ears like needles, making me clench my fists without me realizing it.

Cecilia slowly spread her legs, and Martin’s hand wandered somewhere it shouldn’t have. Everyone in the room knew she was my wife. And yet, there she was, making a mockery of me right before my eyes.

“Looks like Jenson’s time is over. Even his own woman is in his rival’s bed.”

Martin kissed her right there and turned to the crowd. “Everyone, once I win this round, drinks are on me!”

“Long live Martin!” the crowd roared, drunk on the drama.

Martin’s eyes locked on mine, full of smug satisfaction and open challenge. “What’s wrong, Jenson? Afraid to lose again? Sorry to tell you, but you have no way to turn back.”

Then he snapped his fingers arrogantly. At that cue, someone dragged my mother forward.

“If you win, take your mother home. But if you lose… I’m cutting off one of her hands. Don’t worry, though. There’s always the second half of the game tomorrow,” he continued.

Martin loved breaking people down. He didn’t just want to beat me. He wanted to ruin me slowly and painfully, to toy with my fear, my nerves, my heart.