"Why bother? They’re dead. What’s the point of keeping the ashes? It’s better to stop now. If you lose, you’ll be useless. Who will want you then?"

The mocking words sliced through me, deep into my heart. My gaze fell on the eighty jars of ashes behind me, and I forced myself to straighten my back.

“Tell me the result, don’t waste my time.”

The host dragged out his announcement, stretching the moment to its fullest.

“The answer is Japanese food. Sorry, Miss Nolan, you lost again.”

“Do you want to continue? The next bet is your hair.”

“Go on.”

Janelle smiled and walked toward the winner of this round, her voice dripping with sweetness.

“I heard that if you scatter ashes in the sea, the deceased can be reborn. Could you give me the ashes of Miss Nolan’s parents?” she asked, her tone syrupy.

“After all, she took care of Adam for five years. I want to repay her kindness.”

The man hesitated, glancing at Adam, seeking approval. Adam’s cold, threatening gaze made him nod quickly.

“Of course. I’m here today because of your blessing. Just two jars of ashes—think of it as a wedding gift for Miss Burt and Adam. Take them.”

Janelle took the ashes and left, cradling them like a precious possession. I followed her hurriedly, but she stumbled several times, caught in the crowd of guests.

By the time we reached the deck, Janelle had already scattered my parents’ ashes into the sea. Beneath the surface, a shark had been waiting, drawn by the scent.

“No—!” I cried out, my voice cracking, as I dashed toward her.

Janelle screamed and released the jar, letting it sink into the sea. Tears flooded my eyes, blurring everything.

From behind, I heard Adam’s voice, cold and uncaring.

“Caitlin, don’t go crazy. You scared Janelle.”

“If you want to continue, get out of here. No more waiting.”

“Oh, and by the way, the next game’s chips are the ashes of your two younger siblings.”

He hugged Janelle tightly and turned away without a second glance.

When I arrived back at the game, it was already halfway through. A waiter, unable to bear the tension, leaned in and whispered the question for the round.

It was to guess where Janelle had stayed the night before.

Before the host could announce the answer, I spoke quickly.

“Adam’s old house!”

The host shook his head with a regretful expression.

“It was a seven-star hotel. Sorry, Miss Nolan, you lost again.”

The winner popped open champagne, celebrating their success.

“No wonder Mr. Read asked me to arrange a hotel for last night. He was giving me a chance!”

“Adam is so generous. I’ll never forget this!”

The man toasted Adam, and the crowd laughed. But as the cheers rang out, I saw Adam’s bodyguards walking toward me, razors glinting in their hands.

I closed my eyes, my body numb. I had become a puppet, simply accepting whatever Adam decided to give me.

The cold light from the razor hit my scalp, and the host paused, sensing the rising tension.

“Miss Nolan, the bet for the next game is your two arms. Are you sure you want to participate?”

“Continue.”

The taste of blood filled my mouth, and I could barely hear my own voice over the ringing in my ears.

The man beside me, who had lost several rounds, couldn’t hold his frustration any longer.

“Caitlin, are you crazy? Why don’t you just burn your own ashes already? What are you fighting us for?”

“You’re never going to win. You’re just wasting time. If I really cut off your arm, can you accept it? Stop pretending!”

“Let everyone sleep for a night and give you a few jars. That’s enough. Do you really think you’re so special? Can’t you see that this is all about getting revenge on you?”

I took a drink from the wine in front of me, trying to steady my shaking hands.

“I admit it. I’m willing to accept the loss.”

“As long as I still have chips, the game isn’t over.”

“Speak up,” the host said, nodding toward Adam.

At his signal, the game continued.

"The fourth question is: What is Miss Burt’s favorite thing?"

"Bags! It must be bags. There’s no woman who doesn’t love them."

"I bet on cosmetics. Who doesn’t know that Miss Burt adores beauty?"

After the round of guesses, I raised my hand.

"Adam."

The man’s smile froze, his expression tightening. The room fell into an uneasy silence.

The next moment, everyone burst out laughing.

"Are you out of your mind? The question was about Miss Burt’s likes, not Adam!"

"Caitlin, have you gone mad from losing? Don’t blame us if you lose your arm over this."

I simply stared at the host.

"Please announce the answer."

The host hesitated, then smiled awkwardly.

"Congratulations, Miss Nolan, the answer is correct!"

The crowd erupted in shock.

"Damn, Adam spoils his wife this much? Who could have guessed that?"

"Right, he even said it was a thing for himself. That’s just too crazy."

"A blind cat stumbles upon a dead mouse! Caitlin got lucky this round, but don’t worry—there’s no way she’s getting out of here alive tonight!"

Just as I let out a breath of relief, the host spoke again.

"But even with this win, the stakes are only rising."

"This time, it’s your heart."

The audience cheered wildly.

"Adam is incredible!"

"If someone dies, the twenty jars I just won will be voided. Why not divide them among us all!"

The host turned to me, uncertainty in his gaze.

"Miss Nolan, do you want to continue? If you lose this round, the chips from the previous game will also be forfeited."

"Continue."

The murmurs around me grew louder.

"Has this woman lost her mind? She’s willing to sacrifice her life for twenty jars of ashes?"

"Does she have some trick up her sleeve? I heard the Dark Magic Guild can tell fortunes, but only once a year. Is she going to cheat?"

Amid the chatter, the host asked the final question.

"The finale: When was Miss Burt’s first night, accurate to the minute?"

The room fell silent. All eyes turned to me.

I simply shook my head.

"I don’t know the answer to this question."

Adam smiled, and Janelle playfully punched him in the chest.

"How do you remember it so clearly? It’s so annoying."

Laughter echoed throughout the hall.

"I admit it, I lost to Adam! Is Caitlin here just to mock me?"

"I was really tricked by her. What’s wrong with me? At least I could guess the answer."

"If you don’t want to die, just jump into the sea. Don’t make Adam dirty his hands."

The bodyguards began to approach, their presence chilling. The host kept his fake smile, barely concealing his amusement.

"Miss Nolan, I’m sorry. You lost this round. Now we must fulfill the bet. Please cooperate."

As the blade neared, I laughed coldly.

"Who says I lost?"

"The game isn’t over yet, is it?"

The crowd groaned, their patience running out, and they cursed simultaneously.

"You said you don’t know the answer. Why are you still pretending?"

"Get it over with. It’s bad luck to watch this."

"If you don’t want to die, kneel and beg us. Tell us you’ll sleep with us tonight, and maybe Adam will let you live a few more days."

I pushed the man's hand away.

In the next moment, the wooden hairpin appeared before me, floating in mid-air. A flash of golden light surrounded Adam and me, and the searing pain in my soul caused me to scream in agony.

Adam’s face drained of color, his voice strangled.

"How could this happen?"