Hannah’s subtle gesture halted him in his tracks, prompting Atticus to withdraw quietly, settling into a seat across from the assembled crowd.


    The entrance of the enigmatic figure, adorned in a rabbit mask, sent ripples of curiosity through the room, momentarily hushing the murmurs that had filled the halt.Text property ? N?vel(D)ra/ma.Org.


    “What’s with the costume? Are we in some kind of cosy convention?”


    “Why hide behind a mask? Can’t the boss show his face like a normal person?” another chimed in.


    “Is this all just a grand entrance, or is there a point to it?” questioned a third.


    “When will the game begin? Let’s cut to the chase already,” another impatient participant demanded.


    As the rabbit-masked man settled at a sleek ck table, the eager anticipation in the air was palpable.


    His tone sounded raspy and distorted as he began to address the gathered crowd.


    “Since you’re all itching to get started, allow me to exin the rules.


    ”


    His voice was muffled, likely altered by some device concealed within the depths of the mask.


    Hannah’s gaze remained fixed on the masked figure.


    With a deliberate sweep of his gaze, the man locked eyes with her before addressing the assembly.


    “The game is simple, a familiar one to most of you.


    We’ll be ying ckjack.


    Each yer receives two cards, one face-up and one face- down.


    You can choose to draw additional cards, aiming to get as close to twenty-one as possible without exceeding it.


    ”


    His words carried a sense of familiarity; after all, ckjack was a staple in casinos, a game Hannah had encountered countless times.


    Yet, despite its simplicity, its oue hinged on a delicate bnce of psychology and chance.


    But skill, too, yed a role.


    Those adept in the art of reading opponents and blessed with a stroke of luck could emerge victorious.


    Yet, it also demanded nerves of steel to navigate the game’s twists and turns.


    Surveying her fellow yers, Hannah pondered their chances against such a cunning adversary.


    As the rabbit-masked man pressed on, his challenge hung heavy in the air.


    “The game is simple, so I hope you can all beat me.


    The winner will share in the five billion.


    I believe I’ve made myself clear.


    Any queries?”


    Though murmurs rippled through the crowd, none dared to voice their uncertainties.


    These were seasoned businesspeople, all well-versed in the realm of casual gambling.


    Most of them were intimately familiar with ckjack and its intricate rules.


    With no questions forting, the man behind the rabbit mask pressed on, “Since there are no inquiries, let’s proceed with the game…”


    “What happens to those unfortunate enough to lose?”


    Suddenly, a voice interrupted him, cutting through the anticipation in the room.