?Chapter 1088:


    Although Mandy knew she was nothing but a subordinate, she couldn’t stop herself from interfering. And for once, she allowed her personal instincts to take control. She didn’t want Corrine to take such a reckless risk.


    Corrine’s eyesnded on Mandy’s hand on her wrist before a subtle smirk curved her lips. “I thought you’d be the first to enjoy watching me fail.”


    Mandy had never been one to mask her feelings—her emotions were always inly visible. Corrine was well aware that Mandy didn’t like her. That she would intervene, even slightly, came as an unexpected surprise.


    Mandy hesitated and pursed her lips. “I…”


    “Rx.” Corrine tapped Mandy’s hand lightly before leaning in to whisper, “When you ce your bets, make sure to include a share for me.”


    Mandy was dumbfounded. Was this womanpletely insane? This was Jax Foster they were up against. Where did she find the nerve to think she could win? Did she truly believe that Nate’s support made her untouchable?


    As Corrine strode toward the gambling table, Mandy nced toward Room No. 1 above.


    “This woman really is…” Herbert trailed off, catching himself before finishing his thought. With Nate in the room, he reconsidered his words. “Fearless.”


    Win or lose, it was irrelevant. What truly stood out was her unwaveringposure—enough to make people see her in a different light.


    “Let’s hope luck favors her tonight,” Herbert added.


    Nate blinked, a subtle shift in his otherwiseposed expression.


    “She’s always had a knack for luck.”


    Herbert arched an eyebrow. “Oh? Is that right?”


    The crowd exchanged looks—some filled with pity, othersced with quiet calction. Jax was a legend in the stone betting scene, undefeated in every bet he had ever ced. And Corrine? She was an outsider, a novice with no background in the trade. epting such a challenge was either bold beyond reason or sheer foolishness.


    “Youngdy, I’ll let you have the first pick,” Jax said casually, one hand resting behind his back. His confidence was unmistakable, bordering on arrogance.


    Corrine met his gaze, her lips curving into a courteous smile. “Respecting the elderly is important. Since you have more experience, you should go first.”


    A fleeting, indecipherable emotion passed over Jax’s face, but it vanished just as swiftly. His expression smoothed back into impassivity. “If you insist, I won’t refuse.”


    “Please, be my guest,” Corrine said evenly.


    As Jax moved past her, his eyes narrowed slightly, an unreadable gleam shing through them. Stepping up to the table, he studied the stones with a practiced eye before settling on a piecebeled 405.


    “Your turn, youngdy,” he said, stepping aside.


    Corrine kept her hands sped behind her as she surveyed the stones before her. Hershes cast faint shadows on her cheeks as she carefully examined the unpolished stones.


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