The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

Being scoffed at by a young girl who sounded barely in her teens was more than Dog-Head could bear. He was ready to unleash hell right there and then!

Would someone kindly explain to him, since when did the rules of the borderlands not revolve around strength but looks? And how on earth did she know that Vocalist was a looker?! The guy was wearing a mask, for Pete's sake!

Noella offered a demure smile. "Because he sounds charming, while you, sir, sound rather...mature. Could you be in your fifties?"

Dog-Head, in the prime of his life, scoffed coldly!

Palmer chuckled lightly, "Thank you, Miss, for your kind but mistaken compliment."

Mizar coughed twice, silently bearing the brunt of this unexpected flirtation.

Just as they were about to deal the cards again, Dog-Head interjected, "Hold up, she's clearly in cahoots with them. Let one of my guys deal!"

Mizar slammed the cards down on the table, "Sir, you can question my skill, but not my integrity! My character reflects in my gambling. Slander me, and I'll have you blacklisted from every casino in town!"

Dog-Head was taken aback. He hadn't expected such a fiery response from a mere dealer. He pulled out a gun and aimed it at Mizar's head!

In an instant, a dozen men in black surrounded them, their eyes filled with warning.

"Boss Mizar, all good?"

Mizar sneered, "In my establishment, no one dares to be this bold!"

Dog-Head's men quickly pulled him back. "Boss, this lady is a protege of the Gambling God. We've got several deals pending her approval... starting a fight now could ruin future business."

Dog-Head immediately softened his demeanor. "My apologies, Boss Mizar, my bad. I'll take three shots as penance!"

Mizar sneered again. "Get Dog-Head a proper glass. He thinks he's at a fishbowl with that tiny cup?"

Alioth brought over a massive jug. Dog-Head was stunned by the potent mix of whiskey and vodka staring back at him!

"This..."

Noella interjected, "It's just water. Not drinking it means no genuine apology."

Water? The air was thick with the scent of alcohol, and she called it water?! Dog-Head, having survived the borderlands, didn't hesitate and downed the jug cleanly!

Mizar clapped, "Nicely done. Since Dog-Head can't trust me, let's have someone else deal. Pick your dealer, but I don't trust your guys either!" The room was filled with people from the casino, the Abyssal Organization, and Soaring Bird. Dog-Head's gaze landed on Noella.

"You do it!"

"Me? I can't! I don't know how..."

Dog-Head glared menacingly, "Enough! When I say you deal, you deal!"

Palmer intervened, "Why so harsh on the girl? As a European, shouldn't you exhibit some gentlemanly manners?"

Dog-Head was livid! What was Vocalist thinking?! Noella, albeit hesitantly, took her seat at the dealer's table and after a few attempts, got the hang of

it.

Dog-Head bet high. Palmer bet low. And once again, Palmer won!

Palmer shrugged, "Sorry, seems like Mr. Dog isn't cut out for gambling. No offense, but maybe Soaring Bird should steer clear of the casino business."

Dog-Head's vision blurred from the alcohol, Forcing himself to focus, he challenged, "Vocalist, I don't believe you ca

Can keep winning! I'll deat this time; there's no way you'll win!"

Noella held a thin card in her hand. "So, you're saying it's all up to you? You deal, you win?"

"You know nothing!" The card flew from her hand, turning into a sharp blade mid-air. Dog-Head's men fell to the ground!

Noella smiled lightly, "Understand now?"

Dog-Head realized he'd been played! "You... you were all in on this! I'm done here!"

Watching Dog-Head stumble away from the table, neither Noella nor Palmer made any move to stop him.

Noella calmly noted, "He's running low on chips." Dog-Head had lost everything at the table. But the biggest gamble was yet to come, at the party.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

At the cruise ship's dining hall,

Stirling, covered in stains, was at his

wit's end: Feeling dizzy and

nauseous, he cursed his usually smooth-sailing life for hitting such a rough patch.

"Yasbel, how exactly did I offend you?"

"This is my way of forgiving you."

Stirling grimaced, "Some forgiveness. It's costing me a lot."

"Cheer up. Get changed; there's a party in a few minutes. I think I saw my boss!"

"Noella? You mean Noella is here too?"

The mention of Noella energized Stirling, who hurried to clean up and change. Freshly groomed, Stirling spotted a little boy crying on the floor.

"Hey, buddy, why are you sitting here all alone?"

"I can't find my dad."

Thinking quickly, Stirling lifted the boy off the ground. "How about I help you find him? Do you know your dad's phone number? Let's call him."

The boy nodded, dialed a number on Stirling's phone, and was met with snores.

"Dad, it's Shiba. Where are you?"

After several shouts, the snoring stopped. "Shiba, daddy will be home soon. I've got lots of souvenirs for you, even your favorite chocolates. We'll go out together, just you and your sister."

Shiba clutched his phone with wide, hopeful eyes, barely getting the words out, "Dad, I'm on your cruise ship..."

But the call was abruptly cut off, his words lost in digital silence. He tried calling again, but no one picked up. Wiping away tears, Shiba was a mix of confusion and longing.

"Dad doesn't know I followed him here. He's here to work, and I missed him so much. Did I make him mad?"

"Of course not! But let's not do something this risky again, okay? I'll help you find your dad. What's his name, by the way?"

Shiba, holding onto Stirling's shirt for dear life, babbled something completely incomprehensible to Stirling. Stirling felt a headache coming on.

Yasbel, who expected Stirling to just pop out for a quick shower and change, was flabbergasted to see him return with a kid in tow. Where did such a big kid spring from?

Yasbel's jaw dropped in shock. "Wait... did you just... have this kid?"