Tony Stark's private party took place on the top floor of a luxury hotel.
By the time Luke arrived in a special car, the venue was already packed.
Most of the attendees were elite wealthy individuals, sharing the same status as Stark, along with some service staff.
A dynamic DJ pumped up the energy with dancers, a swimming pool, champagne, and card tables...
If not for the fact that Tony Stark was a member of the ultra-rich elite, one could say he really knew how to throw a party.
Although Luke had never participated in such an extravagant event, he wasn't particularly excited, as he didn't enjoy the flashy atmosphere.
He found himself preoccupied with how to approach Stark about needing money.
"Hey there, boy! You made it?!" Just as he was lost in thought, he heard a familiar voice.
Turning to the sound, he saw Tony Stark striding toward him with a big smile.
Looking at Stark approaching, Luke couldn't help but sigh, "I really envy how you can have so much fun right after escaping danger."
Tony Stark grinned, "It's precisely because I've just faced danger that I know how to cherish the present. But you, why do you look so distressed at such a young age?!"
"Well..." Luke hesitated, struggling to find the words.
Asking someone for money was never easy.
Just as he was contemplating, Stark added, "By the way, Dr. Ethan is over there playing. Let's go find him."
Luke nodded, and the two of them made their way toward Dr. Ethan.
At the card table, Dr. Ethan was engrossed in a game. Despite still being injured, he seemed to be enjoying himself.
So focused was he that he didn't notice them at first.
It was Tony Stark who greeted him first, "Having fun, Ethan?!"
Only then did Dr. Ethan look up, quickly standing to greet them. "Tony! Luke! You're here!"
Tony glanced at the card table and jokingly remarked, "Caribbean Treasures? You can actually play this?! I thought you didn't know how!"
Dr. Ethan smiled sheepishly and admitted, "This is indeed my first time playing."
"What got you interested?" Tony Stark asked.
Dr. Ethan sighed and replied, "I had already thought about my last words while trapped in that cave. I didn't think I'd make it out alive. Maybe that experience made me realize I should try everything."
Tony Stark understood all too well.
There's nothing wrong with wanting to live a happier life after facing life-or-death situations.
"Win or lose?" Tony Stark asked with a grin.
Dr. Ethan sheepishly admitted, "If you lose, you can't understand the game."
Unfazed, Tony replied grandly, "Have fun, and I'll cover your losses tonight."
"Then I guess I have to enjoy myself," Dr. Ethan said with a smile before sitting back down to continue playing.
Tony Stark and Luke watched from the sidelines.
Without a doubt, Dr. Ethan's luck was abysmal.
After half an hour of watching, he hadn't won a single hand.
Since he was only losing Stark's money, Dr. Ethan felt increasingly embarrassed.
"I'm done playing; I've lost too much tonight," he finally said, a hint of guilt in his tone.
"Don't worry; it's not a big deal," Tony Stark said casually.
For Stark, the amount Dr. Ethan lost was likely less than what he'd spend on a piece of clothing.
Still, Dr. Ethan felt guilty and refused to continue.
Tony Stark didn't push it. Instead, he turned to Luke and asked, "Do you want to give it a try? Even if you lose, I'll cover it."
Luke was taken aback.
To be honest, he had never played cards in his twenty years of life.
First, he had no interest in games like poker or mahjong.
Second, he felt they were entirely based on luck, and his luck had never been particularly good.
Moreover, at Tony Stark's private party, most of the guests were ultra-wealthy individuals.
When it came to gambling, stakes were high.
Dr. Ethan had already lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in just half an hour.
Luke wouldn't have considered playing under normal circumstances.
But he was short on cash now.
Plus, with Tony Stark saying he'd cover any losses, it gave Luke the incentive to at least try his luck.
"Alright, I'll give it a shot," Luke agreed.
...
Although Luke had never played cards before, he had almost grasped the rules of Caribbean Treasure Poker after watching for an hour.
To put it simply, it was a game of luck—whoever had the better five-card hand won.
Honestly, Luke didn't expect to be very lucky; he just wanted to win something.
What he never anticipated was that... he won first place!
"You're much luckier than Ethan," Tony Stark said with a chuckle.
"Maybe it's because Dr. Ethan lost all the bad luck before me," Luke replied half-jokingly.
Dr. Ethan chimed in with a smile, "It seems I've sucked all the bad luck away!"
Winning a hand at the beginning didn't raise any eyebrows—no one thought much of it, not even Luke himself.
Initially, he intended to take the winnings and leave, but it felt rude to walk away after doing so well.
So, he reluctantly decided to play a little longer.
Unexpectedly, Luke won again in the second round.
Then came the third, fourth...
As the last hour passed, Luke had yet to lose a single game, and he finally began to realize something was off.
"You... didn't cheat, did you?!" Tony Stark asked, unable to conceal his surprise.
He scrutinized Luke, and it was evident from his expression that he was astonished.
After all, he had been sitting next to Luke, watching him play for a full hour in stunned silence!
This guy was so lucky it felt like he might be playing tricks, having never lost a single game.
Although Stark knew Luke wasn't cheating, it was still astounding that he had won every time.
Even Luke was slightly surprised at his own luck.
How had he not noticed how fortunate he had been?!
"I didn't expect this either... I seem to be quite lucky," Luke admitted with a sigh.
At this point, everyone assumed Luke was simply lucky.
While they were amazed, it had only been an hour.
It wasn't impossible to have good fortune at the start but then lose continuously afterward.
As another hour passed, then two, and finally three... the last four hours flew by...
Everyone began to realize something was very wrong—something was off.
No, you're not here to lose, are you?!
You're winning everything?!
Brother, this is getting ridiculous!
Just how lucky can you be?
The stakes were now reaching hundreds of millions!