Part 1The Big Sister's Game

Sailing in international waters to clear my head, I spotted my stepsister Luna trapped at a poker table.

Opposite her stood the boys she’d grown up with, flanking a delicate girl, all wearing cold smirks.

“What’s wrong, Miss Byrd? Can’t afford the bet?” Leo mocked. “You weren’t shy about demanding three million from Ava for a scarf.”

“Fold if you want,” Caleb added calmly, “but hand over your 15% stake in the Byrd corporation to Ava by tomorrow.”

Luna’s knuckles turned white, eyes red-rimmed.

A man nearby laughed, loosening his tie. “Broke, little sister? Strip one item, I’ll give you five hundred in chips.”

Whistles broke out. “Take it all off, and all my chips are yours!”

From the upper deck’s shadows, I twisted the signet ring on my pinky.

It’d been years since I showed my face here. They’d forgotten—though my sister bears her father’s name, she’s still a Frost.

And those who touch a Frost girl pay with their lives.

…

My assistant beside me held his breath. “I’ll have the cruise director come and apologize to you at once, ma’am,” he whispered.

I gazed down at the table, my voice arctic. “Not yet. Let’s see what kind of game they’re playing.”

To make a move on my family, right under my nose? No one on this ship was getting off alive.

Leo smirked at Luna, who was now encircled by leering men.

“What’s the matter, Luna? Scared to undress? I’ve got some… private photos of you right here. How about we sell a set? Add a little to your pot?”

Before he finished speaking, he’d tossed a USB drive to the staff.

The next second, the massive screen above the table lit up.

A high-definition photo of my sister, her clothes half-removed in a suggestive pose, flashed across the screen.

“The great Miss Byrd always acts so pure,” someone jeered. “But look at the body on her under those clothes!”

“I’m getting ideas and she’s not even naked yet. If she was, I think I’d die right on top of her!”

Before the foul commentary could die down, Caleb tossed another USB drive onto the table with a cold smile.

“I’ve got more. If you won’t trade your clothes for chips, I’ll help you out. I’ll add another bet for you!”

The crowd roared its approval, the atmosphere heating up.

“Our young masters are so generous! What a feast for the eyes!”

Luna was trembling, tears streaming down her face. “We grew up together… How could you do this to me?”

“Crying now, are we?” Leo sneered. “Where was this pathetic act when you were forcing Ava to pay up for that scarf?”

“We’re trying to help you raise money, you ungrateful bitch!” Caleb added.

“The scarf… she ruined it on purpose!” Luna retorted, her voice cracking. “My sister bought that for me…”

At the mention of this, the girl named Ava, nestled between the two men, suddenly dropped to her knees, her face a mask of tears.

“Luna, I know I was wrong! I’ve already bet myself in this game! Please, have mercy, don't raise the bet again! Just let me go!”

Leo slammed his hands on the table. “Luna, are you going to use your money to bully Ava to death before you’re satisfied?”

Caleb yanked Ava up from the floor and pulled her into his arms. “You dare bully her right in front of us? Then don’t blame us for being ruthless!”

Ava whispered, just loud enough for everyone to hear, “Don’t blame my sister. It’s my fault for making her unhappy.”

She turned to Luna, a glint of steel in her eyes. “My sister is out of money. I heard she’s working eight jobs a day just to eat. As long as she folds this hand, I’ll let this go.”

I almost laughed out loud. Looking at the chips on the table, I could see my sister had already bet her entire net worth, including the private shares our grandfather had given her.

If she folded now, she’d be left with nothing but crippling debt.

My gaze locked on Ava. She was wearing the custom gown I’d had made for Luna. The Patek Philippe on her wrist was a gift from me to my sister. Even the emerald necklace my mother had left for Luna was hanging around her neck.

And my own sister was in faded, worn-out clothes, a patch visible on the cuff of her pants.

When had my sister—Seraphina Frost’s sister—been brought so low?

Luna bit her lip so hard it nearly bled, tears carving paths down her pale cheeks. She looked like she was about to collapse.

It seemed what Ava said was true.

“Investigate,” I commanded in a sharp, low voice.

My assistant immediately understood and slipped away.

I’d been expanding the family business overseas for years, with little time to come home. But I called Luna every month. How had I not noticed a single thing was wrong?

Luna suddenly looked up, her voice shattered. “Why? We were friends our whole lives. And you’re using photos you secretly took of me as betting chips?”

Leo toyed with his chips, sneering. “If you don’t like it, then fold. Give it all to Ava as your apology.”

Caleb didn’t even bother to look up. “Cut the crap. Either trade for the chips, or go over there and sell yourself. Strip. Now.”

A chorus of vile shouts erupted.

“Do it, princess!”

“Sleep with me for one night, and I’ll cover your bet!”

Luna was trapped, shaking uncontrollably.

Just as everyone thought she was about to break, she snapped her head up, a desperate, defiant light in her eyes.

“I’m all in.”

The hall fell silent.