The rabbit-masked man, his smile concealed by the eerie facade, directed his attention to Hannah with a subtle nod of acknowledgment.


    “To lose is to forfeit,” he replied cryptically, relishing the tension that hung in the air.


    “The chance to im a portion of the five billion slips through your fingers, and yes, there is a cost to bear.


    ”


    Hannah’s stare bore into him, unyielding.


    “What price? We should know before we begin.


    ”


    “Ah, of course,” he chuckled lightly.


    “The fee is merely financial.


    ”


    His casual admission ignited a storm of protest among the gathered participants, their voices rising in a chorus of indignation.


    “You never mentioned this when we signed up!”


    “A tant deception! This is outrageous! We demand to withdraw from this farce!”


    “Yeah! This contract is null and void! We refuse to be swindled!”


    Yet the masked figure remained unperturbed, reclining with an air of detachment as the uproar reached its peak.


    “By all means, you’re wee to withdraw from the game,” he remarked, his tone dripping with casual indifference.


    “Should the numbers dwindle to fewer than five, those remaining will im the prize outright.


    So, who among you want to forfeit their chance?”


    A heavy silence descended upon the room, each individual’s gaze darting nervously between their peers, secretly hoping that someone else would volunteer to bow out.


    But in the face of the tantalizing prospect of a share of five billion, the allure of victory proved too potent to resist.


    “Well, have you decided who’s leaving? The game is about to start.


    ”


    Yet, not a soul volunteered to bow out.


    It was a testament to the inherent greed woven into human nature-when the odds seemed favorable, none were willing to relinquish the chance.


    Unable to bear the suspense any longer, Coen seized the opportunity.


    “I’ll go first!”Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.


    The rabbit-masked man acknowledged his bold move with a nod, gesturing for him to take a seat opposite.


    “Please, be seated.


    Let the gamemence.


    ”


    For Coen, a seasoned veteran of the gambling world, the prospect of ckjack posed no daunting challenge.


    Brimming with confidence, he settled into his seat with a self- assured grin.


    “They call me the Casino Scourge.


    Sorry, but I’m going to win this!”


    Unperturbed, the masked man motioned to begin.


    “Let’s deal the cards.


    ”


    With a swift motion, the first card was revealed.


    A nk card with the digit twelve written in bold ink sat before the masked man.


    Across from him, Coen’s card mirrored the simplicity, bearing the digit eight in bold script.