Since they had finally made it into Auremere, it would've been a waste not to explore more.
The group quickly agreed and headed to the basement level.
The moment the elevator doors opened, a wave of noise rushed toward them.
The space was massive—at least the size of two basketball courts.
At the center were gambling tables, surrounded by boxing rings, fencing areas, billiard tables, and all kinds of entertainment setups.
Victor clicked his tongue. "This… isn't this basically an underground casino?"
Xavier immediately clamped a hand over his mouth. "If you don't know what to say, don't say anything. This is Auremere—nothing here is unusual. Just pretend you didn't see anything."
The flicker in Xavier's eyes said otherwise.
Victor couldn't tear his gaze away from the piles of cash stacked on the tables.
His fingers itched.
"I kinda want to try a few rounds. You guys in?"
Sophia shrank back slightly. "We shouldn't. This stuff's dangerous. If my family finds out, I'm dead."
Victor waved her off. "Relax. The rules are right there." He pointed at the large screen. "It's just for entertainment. You don't have to use your own money—you can borrow from Auremere and pay it back later. No profit, no loss. Just a game."
Xavier hesitated, then nodded. "We could try it. No risk anyway."
That was all it took.
Xavier and the others headed straight to the counter, registered, and borrowed chips to start playing.
Evan frowned slightly, clearly uninterested in gambling. He stayed back, leading Felicia and the others to watch instead.
***
At the entrance, the manager of Auremere personally welcomed Riley, bowing respectfully.
"Madam, please follow me."
He led her straight to the top floor—the most exclusive suite in the entire building.
A massive floor-to-ceiling window offered a panoramic view of the entire city.
Inside, there was even a private indoor pool.
Riley blinked. "This…?"
This wasn't the room from last time.
The manager smiled politely. "When you came before with Master Adrian, you stayed on the fourth floor. The fifth floor is reserved exclusively for him. He instructed that whenever you visit in the future, you are to be brought directly here."
Riley nodded as she walked further in—
Then froze.
Her mouth slowly fell open.
The enormous bed was covered with—
Ten stuffed bunny plushies.
Each one looked exactly like the one she owned.
Some wore little dresses. Others had tiny aprons tied around them.
And on their chests—
Hung pink name tags.
Bunny One. Bunny Two. Bunny Three… all the way to Bunny Ten.
When her eyes landed on Bunny Seven—
She went completely still.
For a split second, it felt like she was being personally insulted.
Seriously?
Why "Bunny"?
She felt deeply, personally offended.
The manager beamed. "Madam, would you like to take a family photo with the stuffed bunny plushies?"
Riley shivered. "You're serious?"
"Very serious."
Before she could refuse, he had already guided her forward, gently but firmly placing her into the pile of plushies—
Click.
A perfect "family portrait."
The manager glanced at the photo, sent it off with a satisfied nod, and let out a breath.
Mission one complete.
His smile grew even warmer. "Madam, Master Adrian has prepared another gift for you. It's in the basement. Please follow me."
Riley immediately stiffened.
"It's not more Bunny-themed stuff, right?"
She was already traumatized.
If there was more, she might actually go blind on purpose.