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"My nah anyone in the world didn’t know that "And I know you must be Neil Raines, Thomas’s father"

Neil stiffened "You know hierov answered, still wearing that strange smile He let that sit in the air a morarew pale "You’re involved in that?"

"Only in an advisory capacity, but I anticipate far erov anticipated that He knew Vengerov was taking advantage of the le for Blackburn’s job

A dark flush stole over Neil’s face

And the buzzing in the Green Room had beco to slice through as going on here So

"I didn’t stake you for a poker ga you for another venture"

With one angry flick of his hand, Neil sent the chip careening back toward Vengerov "I want nothing of it"

Vengerov snatched it fro snake’s "I think you do It’s roulette"

Toaerov said, "I appreciate the game for one simple reason" His eyes dropped to Tom’s "It doesn’t involve luck It’s all mathematics where the ball will land A computer with mathematical precision, for example, could calculate what nu to the spin decelerate"

That’s when Toerov knew it He knew Toerov said, imperious, like Neil was one of his lackeys

And to Toh Neil wore this expression on his face like he was raging inside, he followed

Tom felt like he was in a bizarre, alternate universe as he trailed behind Neil to the roulette table, where gamblers chose their position at the wheel One spin of the wheel launched the ball into motion, and the players who correctly chose the color of the slot where the ball landed won reater winnings

"Let’s not gaerov told Neil "I shall also wagerthese" A flick of his fingers, and one of his lackeys placed an intier of your own to aaa to play You’re the one ants to play it"

"I a to Neil’s

Neil erov said softly, "just wager your wallet"

Neil drew a sharp breath, because that was all the ed hirim set to his face He reached in his back pocket and clapped his wallet on the table

"What are you doing, Dad?" Toerov "He doesn’t have money to throay like you He at least has a shot at winning poker! This is--"