Chapter 7
Mrs. Kane continued her story calmly.
“My husband and I were career–focused when we were young. Our drive to build our empire meant we missed the best window for having children. By the time we wanted to try, my body was no longer suitable, so we adopted a baby boy.[]
A few years later, I actually did get pregnant. But shortly after the birth, doctors informed us that our daughter had died of sudden myocarditis while in the incubator. Devastated by the loss, I adopted Victoria, who was already five, to honor the memory of my daughter.[]
So when it comes down to it, only that one dead daughter would have truly been entitled to inherit the family business…”
The wealthy heirs exchanged glances, their once–respectful looks toward Ryder now tainted with new understanding.[]
“So the mighty Kane heir isn’t a purebred after all, yet he’s every bit as entitled as the rest of us!”
“In that case, the Kane assets really aren’t his business. We were being generous earlier wanting to leave you some shares–guess we needn’t have bothered!”
“No wonder the Kane family has been so ruthless–even the heavens saw fit to end their bloodline!“[]
Mrs. Kane remained unmoved by the whispers.
“Since neither are my biological children, my assets go to whomever I choose. And right now, Piper seems more deserving than any of you!”
Ryder finally broke down, collapsing to the floor with tears streaming down his face.
“You’d rather lose everything to some girl you’ve known for a few months than secure your own children’s future?”
Mrs. Kane smiled and pointed to my cards.
“Who says Piper will lose?”
Everyone suddenly remembered I hadn’t revealed my hand yet.
Jackson sneered dismissively
“Then stop stalling and show us! Transferring all these Kane shares to us will take time, and we’ve got a yacht party in international waters tonight!“]]
I smiled as I turned over my first card.
The six of spades.
Everyone familiar with poker rules burst into laughter.
“Such a small card and you kept betting! Talk about beginner’s luck and foolish courage!“]
But Jackson, the most skilled player at the table, stopped smiling, his brow furrowing slightly.
I flipped my second card.
The eight of spades.
The room fell into stunned silence as everyone stared at the impossible hand before them.
Until Ryder broke the silence with an incredulous shout.
“A straight flush! A fucking straight flush! How could she possibly create this miracle on her first game?!”
Most players would have folded with those hole cards immediately, lacking the psychological fortitude to wait through multiple rounds of community cards until they formed this extraordinarily rare hand.
I stood and embraced Mrs. Kane, who remained surprisingly calm, gently patting my back.[]
“I knew you would win. After all, you’re the four–time World Series of Poker champion from college!”
Her words dropped like a bomb, shocking everyone present.[]
The young heirs momentarily forgot about their devastating losses, excitedly jumping to their feet.
“What did you say? She’s the mysterious poker champion who competed under a pseudonym–the King?“]
Finally able to reveal my true identity, I exhaled with relief and smiled at the crowd.]
“How do you think I worked my way through college?
I should thank that degenerate father–son duo. Besides torturing me and drinking, their other passion was Texas Hold’em.[]
That gambling addiction destroyed what was once their family fortune, ended their marriage, but still father and son haunted casinos, even playing against each other at home.]
That’s how I learned–by watching them play. Turns out I had a natural talent for it.[]
In college, I stumbled across an ad for a professional tournament. I spent every penny I had to enter, fought my way to the finals, and used the prize money to pay for my education.]]
Fearing those monsters would find me, I concealed my identity and kept any media coverage of my wins suppressed.]
Who would have thought you privileged idiots would deliver yourselves right to my doorstep!“]]
Mrs. Kane gathered the stock certificates from the table, her face radiating satisfaction.
“I’ve always had a gift for poker myself, but when I met Piper at a professional tournament, I realized my skills were nothing compared to hers.” Jackson clenched his fists in frustration.]
“So you bet your entire fortune because you knew you’d win–just like you outmaneuver our fathers in business, now you’re fleecing us!”
Mrs. Kane shrugged.]
“What can I say? It’s not my fault both generations are so gullible.“]
The women who had mocked me earlier were forced to strip completely naked before everyone, covering their faces in shame as they fled the room.
The media’s cameras flashed excitedly, capturing everything.]
Seeing her brother utterly defeated, Victoria refused to give up, rushing forward to kneel before her adoptive mother.
“Mom, even if she has some talent, it can’t compare to the years of devotion we’ve shown you!]
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