Page 16 of King of Ruin

"Sounds like you're trying to make a bet."

Cassian's smile only grew broader.

"I am."

Maverick let out another quiet laugh.

"All right."

He lifted his glass and took a leisurely sip before meeting Cassian's eyes again.

"How much are you willing to bet?"

Without answering immediately, Cassian looked around the room, making sure he had everyone's attention. His fingers tapped thoughtfully against the crystal glass before he finally spoke.

"The East Side Manhattan Redevelopment project."

His eyes remained fixed on Maverick.

"A hundred million dollars."

Maverick's brows shot upward.

Across the table, Elias visibly straightened in his seat, while even Lucius—who rarely reacted to anything—lifted his eyes with unmistakable surprise.

For a second, no one said a word.

They all knew exactly which project Cassian was talking about.

It wasn't just another piece of land. It was one of the most sought-after developments in Manhattan, a project every major corporation in the city had been trying to secure.

Cassian wasn't making a casual wager anymore.

He was putting one hundred million dollars on the table.

The corners of Maverick's mouth slowly curled upward.

Now… He was interested.

"So how exactly are we supposed to decide who wins?"

Elias finally broke the silence. He leaned back against the leather sofa, one ankle resting over the opposite knee as he lazily turned the whiskey glass between his fingers. His sharp gaze moved from Cassian to Maverick, an amused smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

"We're not exactly going to wait around and see whether Xavier commits murder."

A low chuckle circled the room.

Cassian lifted his glass to his lips, unable to hide the grin on his face, while Lucius merely lowered his eyes to the amber whiskey in his hand, the faintest trace of amusement flickering across his otherwise impassive features.

Maverick rested his elbow against the armrest, his thumb brushing thoughtfully along his jaw before his eyes drifted toward Xavier.

"There is a way."

His calm voice immediately drew everyone's attention.

Cassian raised a brow.

"Oh?" Maverick's smile deepened almost imperceptibly. "We ask the only person who already knows the answer."