Becoming the Richest Man Alive

The first half of the night was dedicated to winnings and the second half to money collection. The

partial confiscation of Harold’s real estate scarcely made it past eight hundred million. Casper decided

to maintain Harold’s possession of his mansion in Machia worth millions and five million in cash while

the rest was absorbed.

The largest underground gambling resort in Horington was completely decimated on this day.

Casper dismissed all of Horington Casino’s original employees as they weren’t of use to him now with

their one-track knowledge of the gambling resort. In addition, he commandeered several small-bore

pistols. Though the guns were initially only intended to intimidate instead of inflicting physical harm, the

unprecedented appearance of Casper changed that.

“It amuses me to imagine how Sawyer Lingham will react to the news tomorrow morning since part of

the shares still belongs to Lingham Group!” Casper cackled with his hands full of stock futures. The

mere thought of winning all these with only ten million as bankroll would put him in a jolly mood for

days.

But there was still one problem left unresolved. Casper had questioned Eugene on how the spoils were

to be shared between them before the operation, but his only reply was that they’d cross the bridge

once they got to it while lighting a cigarette.

“How much would you like?” asked Casper warily. He was aware that Eugene was a strong contributor

to the success of their mission and it would be unwise to be miserly now. Casper and Terrence would

have floundered miserably if not for Eugene’s leadership.

“Give me one hundred and thirty million, out of which thirty million will go to Michael,” replied Eugene

after some consideration.

“Are you sure that’s enough?” exclaimed Casper in disbelief.

Eugene directed his stare at him. “We gamblers are all slaves to our own greed. I have my eyes set on

bigger returns in the future is all. Besides, I owe you my life, so this amount will suffice.”

Casper gave a silent nod of acknowledgment and proceeded to empty the upper floor of cash to

Eugene. Eugene then magnanimously doled out 5 million to Stallion, an underling of the Firewolf

Chamber of Commerce.

Stallion was agog at the tiny fortune stuffed in his hands.

“This is good and all, but don’t forget that you guys still owe me,” said Eugene amusingly. This was his

closest attempt at cracking a joke.

Stallion’s perception of Eugene the gambling geezer was instantly altered. The gods of gambling

seemed to favor him, and he claimed to cover the purchase of all their cigarettes in the future.

Casper continued to hand out money to Gunther and the other two gunners, but they shook their heads

in refusal. “We were just acting on the orders of Mr. Lane. It’s not our place to accept this.”

It wasn’t until Casper decided to call Winston that the three men finally relented in accepting the sum.

While handing over the cash, Casper entertained the possibility of recruiting Gunther as a man of such

prowess would surely be valuable to him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Casper caught sight of Michael and wondered when exactly he had

betrayed his mentor and fraternized with Eugene right under his nose.

He pulled Eugene aside and discreetly questioned him about the matter.

Eugene lit himself a cigarette and answered, “Michael approached us under the guise of a merchant

intent on having a good time as instructed by Harold. We figured that Harold would only dispatch

someone highly skilled and trustworthy and soon put two and two together…” When Harold had to

excuse himself to the bathroom for the first time, Eugene requested to purchase a pack of cigarettes

and passed Michael a hundred. Concealed within it was a paper strip detailing Eugene’s instructions.

These were the words written: Subterfuge, dividends, agree, Liesfield, neutral, Hemsworth.

Basically, Eugene was asking Michael whether or not he was willing to commit subterfuge. If so, he

would then need to choose between two cigarette brands to represent his answer. Hemsworth if he

consented, and Liesfield if he were to remain undecided. It was unnecessary for him to provide a third

option as Michael would have directly reported to his mentor and exposed Eugene’s scheme if that

were his choice.

“What if both of them were actually playing the long game instead?” Casper puzzled.

Eugene scoffed. “Michael’s response would not have mattered as I ignored him throughout the first

three rounds and relied on myself. I commend your astute observation, lad. It’s also why my plan went

smoothly for the first three rounds, and it wasn’t till the fourth round that my adumbration began to

surface.”

Casper thought of what he had overheard Eugene saying during the first round of betting. “Harold, you

can’t possibly be thinking of excluding your apprentice when tapping out, right?”

It was then that Michael’s determination began to waver. Eugene’s revelation substantiated the fact that

Harold would get rid of him once he lost. With each of Harold’s losses, the more dire Michael’s

circumstances became. During the third round, Eugene started chatting with the three men, and a

dialogue ensued between the two.

“I’m finishing my packet of Hemsworth. Why didn’t you get me some Liesfields back then?” inquired

Eugene.

Michael fixed Eugene with a glare. “Didn’t you mention that you wanted high-quality cigarettes?

Hemsworth cigarettes are certainly more premium than Liesfield cigarettes.”

“Well, I guess I’ve changed my mind. Are there still any Liesfield cigarettes on sale out there?”

Michael continued to disregard Eugene, but the latter was unusually adamant. “Come on man, are

there any? Do get me one when you head out later, all right?”

“Fine!” grumbled Michael disdainfully.

This ostentatiously innocuous conversation was rife with intent to those who were in on the plan.

“Well then Michael, you’ve been spectating all this while, and we’re soon to near the end of our rounds.

Why choose to do so now?” queried Eugene.

“This is the first time my mentor has suffered such a loss,” responded Michael.

“I will ask you once again then, subterfuge or not?”

Eugene left no room for discussion by following up insistently, “It’s obvious by now who has the upper

hand. Help me, and you may still get a share of the winnings. Suit yourself.”

Michael had no other choice but to take Eugene up on his offer.

Eugene and Michael colluded against Harold in the final round. They created a diversion, resulting in

him showing his hand and losing his advantage.

“Harold thought that his signals were only decipherable by his apprentice. Little did he know that they

were vague iterations of former games and could easily be understood.”

“Why then were you so fixated on bribing the fellow?” asked Casper after a moment of deliberation.

Eugene took a drag on his cigarette, his eyes gleaming. “Enemies may come and go but profits prove

substantial. Michael, like his mentor, is a man well-versed in weighing the benefits and drawbacks. He

would do anything to save his own skin regardless of ethics, just like anyone else.”

Eugene was awash in memories, and his voice wavered. He was reminded once again of another

identical act of betrayal committed against a mentor by an apprentice, only that he was the victim.

Casper was in awe of Eugene’s finesse.

“Amazing! I was not even able to do that during a gunfight.” Casper stole a glance at Michael. “How

should we deal with him?”

“Give him thirty million. His gambling skills are mediocre at best, just like his mentor. He may be well

capable of toadying to us after his betrayal, but men like him have no loyalties. It’d be best to release

him instead of risking the possibility of being double-crossed by keeping him close.”

Casper nodded in assent and instantly got down to first handing over twenty million worth of cash to

Michael, then transferring the remaining ten million to Michael’s bank account.

“You’re too good for this place. I suggest you leave in search of a better alternative.”

The thirty million silenced Michael’s protests, and there was little else he could do other than stomach

his dissatisfaction with a nod before departing.

“This entire place belongs to me now.”

Casper gazed at the newly vacated Horington Casino and felt overcome with emotion. Even the pub

outside which functioned as a shell business was his now.