Urban Seduction: Housewives Club

The Magnolia Club, despite its somewhat cliché name and location in Shanghai's red-light district, is a very elegant place, a preferred gathering and entertainment spot for the upper class.

Inside the Magnolia Club, there is also a casino. Unlike the Axe Gang's underground gambling den, there are no public gambling halls here; instead, there are only VIP rooms, each more elegant and luxurious than the next. Naturally, the guests who come here to gamble are also much wealthier and more noble in status.

Eric had long heard that this place was fun, and today, at Wu Mei's urging, he decided to see it for himself. Of course, Feng Qian couldn't come along; she was accompanied by Tan Ailing in Wu Mei's office, watching cartoons.

Following Wu Mei to the door of the VIP room, even with the boss's company, the two security guards standing outside the door still diligently scanned them with metal detectors before opening the door to the VIP room.

Inside the VIP room, there was only one table, playing poker. Although there weren't many people playing cards, Eric, after scanning the room and the gamblers playing, realized that these people gave him a sense of familiarity, to the point where he could even recall the name of one of the women—Amman.

Even amid this exciting form of entertainment, Wu Mei's arrival still attracted the attention of several gamblers. Along with that, Eric was also carefully scrutinized by a few.

Although everyone knew that the person whom "President Miao" was accompanying was no ordinary person, except for Amman, no one knew the background of this handsome young man.

Amman naturally didn't pay too much attention to Wu Mei; she just stared at Eric intently, her eyes filled with resentment, annoyance, and a hint of surprise.

"Oh, if it isn't Chairman Eric of the Ling Yan Group? What brings you here to play?" Amman greeted in a somewhat sarcastic tone, confusing the other gamblers. While they were already clear about the identity of the handsome young man before them, they were puzzled by the relationship between this "Chairman Eric" and the "A Family Miss." Moreover, they couldn't understand why Wu Mei was so intimate with "Chairman Eric."

You see, the total assets of the Ling Yan Group are only one billion, while the net worth of anyone present is more than five times that amount. Even though the Ling Yan Group has Deputy Mayor Tang supporting it, which of the wealthy people present doesn't have their backing? Therefore, they were extremely curious about this "Chairman Eric," who seemed to have no significant background but could get so close to a beauty!

Meeting this inexplicable woman here, Eric was also somewhat surprised, but he didn't show it. He calmly replied, "I heard this place is fun, so I came to take a look..."

"Just taking a look won't do, right? Come and play a few rounds with us!" Amman covered her mouth, smiling somewhat artificially.

One middle-aged, chubby gambler laughed heartily and chimed in, "Yeah, Eric, come and play a few rounds! You don't know, the three of us big guys here can't even resist Miss An. Her luck is too good. You coming up would be perfect to counter her..."

Although the middle-aged, chubby gambler's words were somewhat ambiguous, Amman didn't get angry. Instead, she stared directly at Eric, her eyes filled with subtle provocation.

"No, thanks. You guys go ahead..."

The middle-aged, chubby gambler chuckled and was about to continue inviting Eric, but Amman interrupted, "Uncle Lu, forget it. Let's play by ourselves. Chairman Eric's Ling Yan Group is too weak to afford to lose..."

Amman's contemptuous words made Uncle Lu and the others look at each other. Although they didn't say anything, they already had some understanding of the entanglement between Amman and Eric.

Eric calmed down Wu Mei, who was about to get angry, and said calmly, "I don't know how to play..."

"Don't know?" Amman exaggeratedly exclaimed, then, after scrutinizing Eric up and down, she seemed to have an insight and asked, "Chairman Eric, the Ling Yan Group shouldn't belong to you, right?"

"Correct!" Eric nodded decisively. Although, under the insistence of Tan Ailing and Tang Feiyan, he still legally held 50% of the shares of the Ling Yan Group, in his heart, he had already given the group away!

"I knew it..." Amman clapped her hands, showing a look of sudden realization. "In high society, who doesn't know how to play cards? Except for those kept men who have never seen the world..."

Wu Mei, hearing this, was furious and couldn't help but coldly warn, "Miss An, watch your words, lest disaster comes from your mouth..."

"Why?" Amman looked surprised at Wu Mei. "Could it be that President Miao, you also keep him..."Nôv(el)B\\jnn

Eric wasn't angry because, to him, Amman was just a barking dog, causing a bit of noise but not affecting his emotions in any way.

However, Wu Mei couldn't ignore it to this extent. In her "lovestruck" state, she absolutely couldn't tolerate anyone insulting her lover. She coldly snorted and released the aura of a top-notch expert, fully directed at the smug-looking Amman.

But just then, two figures flashed out from behind Amman, their gestures completely neutralizing Wu Mei's aura!

Only then did Eric show a slight change in expression. After comforting Wu Mei, he carefully examined the two figures, who should be Amman's bodyguards.

These were two martial artists, and their skills were not weak, probably belonging to the top tier of the mid-tier.

Thinking of Ye Simin's special forces bodyguards, Eric couldn't help but feel a bit emotional. Both were second-generation elites of Shanghai's top three local families, so why was there such a big difference in treatment?

Seeing someone standing behind Amman, Eric couldn't help but continue to use "True Sight" to observe. With this look, he was even more moved; it turned out to be an esper!

Although this was only a C-grade auxiliary esper, it was enough to make Eric take notice. The An family's strength was unexpectedly high, to the point where they could recruit even the extremely rare espers in China.

"Chairman Eric, if you're not going to gamble, please leave..." Amman said disdainfully.

Eric smiled faintly, and Wu Mei, who seemed to understand him intuitively, had someone bring two chairs and five million in chips.

Glancing at Wu Mei, Amman sneered and loudly muttered, seemingly to herself, "A kept man is a kept man, even relying on women for gambling stakes..."

This time, even Wu Mei didn't pay her any mind. After helping Eric arrange his chips neatly, she leaned close to his ear and quietly explained the rules of the game.

Having watched enough movies, Eric was already familiar with poker, and after Wu Mei's explanation, he immediately understood. So, looking at Amman calmly, he said, "Let's begin!"

The chubby gambler and the other two middle-aged gamblers had their subordinates collect their chips, apparently not wanting to get involved in the grudge between the young man and woman. However, they showed no intention of leaving, probably wanting to see what would happen next.

The casino sent a new manager dressed in a short-sleeved cheongsam to act as the dealer to ensure fairness.

The beautiful dealer took out a deck of cards from a small cart beside her, which had been directly transported from the manufacturer, and deftly removed the jokers. She then shuffled, cut, and dealt the cards in one smooth motion, the natural proficiency of her movements giving a pleasing feeling.

She efficiently dealt the hole cards to Eric and Amman, and with a friendly smile, announced, "Miss An, you have the Queen of Hearts; Mr. Eric, you have the Nine of Diamonds."

Amman picked up her cards and saw the Queen of Spades, feeling secretly delighted. She hadn't expected to start with a pair of Queens; it was a good sign. After thinking for two seconds, to avoid scaring off her opponent, she decided to bet only three million, planning to reel him in slowly.

"I fold!" Eric, without hesitation, covered his cards.

Amman was stunned by Eric's unexpected move. He folded without even looking at his hole card. She couldn't understand what kind of game this man was playing.

"Fold," "fold," "fold"...

For over a dozen rounds, Eric only took two cards each time, folded without looking at his hole cards, which puzzled Amman even more. She couldn't understand why he would give her money like this. After all, there was a pot in every round!

In this round, Amman got a pair of Kings and threw out three million chips as usual. Seeing Eric about to cover his cards again, she couldn't help but taunt, "Chairman Eric, do you really not value money? You've already given me over five million. If you keep this up, I'm afraid Chairman Miao will think we're colluding to cheat her money..."