An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Crystal frowned as she met Miles's intense gaze. "Miles, you should call it quits. If you continue to gamble, it'll only lead you deeper into trouble."

Gamblers often found themselves trapped in a cycle of addiction, and they were never content with their winnings.

Their insatiable desire for more drove them to risk everything. Hence, it often led them to stray from the right path.

At that moment, he appeared to be showing signs of addiction. If left unchecked, it could lead to disaster.

"Just one more bet, Crystal. I promise. If I win this time, I'll quit for good," Miles pleaded earnestly.

"Yes, I'm with him. I've even wagered my sword. I need to win it back," Ruby chimed in.

Their hopeful eyes bore into Crystal's.

"Have you considered the consequences if you lose?" she countered.

"It won't happen, I swear. I'll be cautious this time and only bet when I'm confident. I won't lose again," Miles assured.

"Yeah, we were led astray before. If we had trusted our instincts, we'd be winning by now," Ruby added.

"Don't you get it? Gambling never ends well. If you keep going, it'll only end badly," Crystal said sternly.

"Crystal, just one more try. If we break even, we'll quit for good! I promise," Miles pleaded.

got plenty of celestial stones. Just lend us some. We'll pay

stubborn? Can't you see what's at

seen how many times we've won before. What happened earlier was just bad luck. If

swords back. Please,

back, but I won't lend you any celestial stones for gambling," Crystal stated

Miles and Ruby exchanged a helpless glance. They knew Crystal's resolve and that lending

to recover the celestial stones they had lost in the bet. Unfortunately, they

betting table and redeemed the swords

swords. No more gambling." She tossed the swords back

from them as they looked at their swords. It wasn't happiness they felt but rather a profound sense

the celestial stones lost in their bets

gambling, you'll only dig

Obviously, you can afford to walk away. But we haven't gained anything," Ruby

Mr. Shade knows when to walk away. But you? You win once, and suddenly, you're hungry for more. How do you expect not to lose?

and Ruby exchanged a glance and opted

her enthusiastic urging, another batch of new gamblers

the

she would allow the gamblers to win a few rounds. Then, she would let them savor success and gradually get addicted. Then, by manipulating the

win the celestial stones, while

the gamblers hoped that luck could still be on their side. One defeat didn't