She’s Back, and Hell’s Coming with Her novel Chapter 27

This was a cardinal sin for any host—she didn’t even know her guest’s name!

Celia, caught off guard, could only keep her smile steady and ask directly, “May I have your name, please?”

The audience looked just as bewildered as she felt.

If even Celia was clueless about the girl’s identity, it was clear no one else knew, either.

Truth be told, Celia had assumed the challenger tonight would be Faye. She hadn’t paid any attention to the young woman standing quietly by Faye’s side.

“I’m Sutton,” the girl replied coolly.

Celia blinked.

Just a last name? She’d expected at least a full introduction.

Definitely a character.

Everyone who set foot in Siren’s Club was someone of note, so Celia did her best to recover from the awkwardness. “Ms. Sutton, may I ask—whom do you wish to challenge tonight?”

Sabrina glanced up at the private box in the center of the third floor. She knew exactly who was inside.

“Samuel,” she answered.

A ripple went through the crowd as everyone followed Sabrina’s gaze.

The box on the third floor was shrouded in shadows; no one could see who was inside. Still, everyone at Siren’s Club knew that the mysterious figure who occupied that suite was Samuel.

Very few had ever witnessed Samuel take a wager in recent years. After all, no one dared to challenge him anymore.

Celia exchanged a glance with Xander, both reading shock in each other’s eyes.

“Just to be sure—you want to challenge Samuel?” Celia asked, her voice uncertain.

“Yes,” Sabrina replied without hesitation.

Samuel’s name rarely appeared on the official participant list. His reputation preceded him, his image used only for Siren’s Club’s most exclusive advertisements. No one in their right mind would try their luck against the Gambling Deity, unless they had a death wish.

The crowd erupted in hushed, astonished whispers.

What nerve.

Bryce folded his arms across his chest, a smirk tugging at his lips as he watched the girl on stage—so bold, so oblivious to the danger.

No one who gambled against him walked away unscathed—if they walked away at all.

Rumor had it that the last person foolish enough to challenge Samuel had lost a hand right there at the table. Days later, his body was found in an alley, as cold as last night’s whiskey.

To face Samuel truly meant gambling with your life.

His game of choice? Cards. But unlike the others, Samuel insisted on the best-of-three format. Each player shuffled once, and the final shuffle was done by a neutral dealer.

It was a special rule, reserved for Samuel alone.

Everyone in the room silently mourned the beautiful girl on stage. She didn’t even know what it meant to be reckless with her life.

What a waste it would be, they thought, if someone so striking left the room missing an arm or a leg.

No one knew if Samuel would make an exception for her.

Celia’s eyes darted backstage, seeking help from the man standing in the wings.

That was Burt—Samuel’s right-hand man, and the one in charge of handling special bets for the club.