Love Game With The Cold-hearted CEO

a's POV

amiliarity wash over me. Ignoring the calls from Jack and his crew,

one of the other gamblers, who attempted to remind me of the rules. With a roll o

mouth stinks!" I quipped, eliciting laughter from the surrounding crowd. Despite

whispered voice in my ear. Turning, I found Jack and hi

ck handed me something, and as I looked down, I realized it was a wad of

letter," Jack said before turning an

n it into my pocket. This windfall would provide for our meals for over a week

government's neglect and indifference only served to fuel the desperation and crime that plagued our community. But for now

anticipation. I wasted no time in joining the action, placing a bet with the money I had taken from m

and cunning. I may have looked downtrodden, but beneath the surface, I w

g. It didn't take long for me to spot one of the players attempting to

ing through the noise of the room. "You're out!" I declared

out the cheater. Anger flashed in the boy's eyes as he lashed

nd, refusing to tolerate his disrespect. As he called me a "paupe

d dangerous, "and watch me make you regret it." The boy mum

where strength and cunning were the only currencies that mattered. No

ng, and I could feel the weight of impending defeat looming over me. Losing my mother's hard-earned mo

cealing it from the prying eyes of the other players. They were none the wi

wash over me. With a victorious smile, he declared me the winner, and I c

of triumph coursing through my veins. Despite the close call and the risks involv

n gains. In a world where survival was a constant battle, I knew that I had to be cunning and

e and onto the road. The weight of the cash in my pocket was a satisfying reminder of m

lled after me, but I ignored him, focused on gett

left behind. "A card is missing!" one of them yelled. "Someone cheated!" another ac

and alleys, putting as much distance between myself and the gambling joint as p

slipped into my hand earlier. Scanning the crude message scrawled on it,

aper into shreds and tossing it aside. Jack had some

nally reached the familiar sight of our humble home. My mother's worried voice greeted m

d I couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at being a

o make good use of the money. "Hurry up

pite the hardships we faced, I would always do whatever it took to take care of my family

m, Theresa?" she asked with a frow

, my heart sinking at the disappointment in

t from?" she pressed, her

ckly, hoping to end the conversa

ody to men for money?" she ask

g my head vehemently. "You know me be

antly. "Fine, just be careful out there,"

eling a pang of guilt for causin

e, determined to find a way to earn mon

*

Madiso

ing my handbag on top of the car, I surveyed the environment with a mixture of disdain and curiosity.

"How do people live here? I can't imagi

ure of the jobs we were about to undertake. "Hope their jobs

nfidently. "They are the bes

ments swift and calculated. In an instant, she deftly snatched m

xclaimed, moving to pursue her, bu

aid, a smile tugging at the corners of my li

f in pursuit, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. This unexpected encounter ha