A Gamble Called Marriage - Chapter 3

Chapter 3

 

“Yves!”

 

The man addressed as such by the prince naturally took a seat beside Maël.

 

Standing next to him, Maël could clearly feel it. The man, dressed entirely in black that seemed to absorb all color, was remarkably tall. Maël raised his head to glance at the brazen face and the crumpled piece of paper on the table.

 

“Are you okay? This isn’t even poker. Without the number Maël picked, you’ll lose everything.”

 

“Trying something different isn’t so bad.”

 

The uncomfortable glances exchanged over his casual banter only grew as the prince Felix never allowed such informality, even with his lifelong friend, Charles. The first to speak was Philippe.

 

“Who… is he?”

 

“Seriously, brother? You’re such an idiot. It’s Yves. The new CEO of the Riviera Hotel chain.”

 

Was that the person people were gossiping about earlier?

 

The CEO didn’t seem bothered by the attention. Instead, he tilted his head nonchalantly toward Maël and asked, “Is this guy that impressive?”

 

“I’ve only just arrived, so I don’t know. What would it take for Maël to be nicknamed ‘Lucky Charm’ otherwise?”

 

“Lucky Charm.”

 

“Not exactly interested in gambling, but let’s say I’d be more suited to being a professional gambler than a lawyer.”

 

Felix spoke enthusiastically like a child showing off a new toy. While Maël idly stared at the crumpled piece of paper rather than the chips in front of him, a pale hand reached out and picked it up.

 

“I’m not exactly unlucky.”

 

The man spoke dismissively and then turned to Maël.

 

“Where should I bet?”

 

With his condescending tone and careless display of money, the man gave off an air of arrogance. More than anything, Maël wanted no part of being entangled with him.

 

“It’s probably better if you trust yourself.”

 

Yves smirked. “Even if the secret is revealed, would it stay a secret?”

 

His forced smile broke. Yves then tossed the crumpled fifty-thousand-euro note onto the table, landing neatly on the number 0.

 

“Let’s see who’s luckier.”

 

Ignoring even the basic rules of roulette, the man said as if challenging fate itself. Felix motioned to the dealer.

 

“No more bets.”

 

With the dealer declaring the end of betting, the roulette ball spun across the wheel. It rolled joyfully across red, black, and green numbers before slowly slipping over.

 

Tock, tock, thud.

 

Time passed as the roulette wheel slowed, the ball settling on a number. Cheers and shouts erupted from the surrounding table.

 

“I knew it!”

 

 

The ball came to rest on number 7 out of 37 possible numbers. People around marveled at the astonishing prediction.

 

“Is this some kind of scam? How lucky can someone be?”

 

“They should have someone to watch over it. I doubt this isn’t rigged.”

 

“Maël, what’s your next number? What feels lucky to you?”

 

The greedy eyes were now fixated on Maël, who offered a faint smile. He didn’t want to stay any longer; this place felt uncomfortable in every way.

 

“I have work to do. I need to leave early.”

 

“Really?”

 

“Yeah. My brother has divorce papers piled up waiting for him. If I don’t leave, those dreadful marriages won’t end anytime soon.”

 

Manon cheerfully chimed in. Felix thought for a moment before waving his hand dismissively.

 

“I guess Maël is no fun to keep around. It’s more exciting if someone loses. But Maël, go ahead. Help some Cinderella instead.”

 

“Cinderella’s knight needs to leave early.”

 

Philippe added, his comment drawing some chuckles from the gathered crowd.

 

It was always a tiresome place. Even after a relationship had collapsed due to his own mistakes, Charles, who had eagerly collected chips from a rigged table, was staring at Maël, his eyes unwavering.

 

“Some luck you’ve got.”

 

The simple comment wasn’t something Maël could laugh off. Yves, who had been alternating his gaze between Charles and Maël, now smirked disdainfully.

 

—

 

“Maël.”

 

Maël pulled his eyes from the monitor and removed his glasses. Dian Croix, the partner lawyer at law firm 377 and Maël’s superior, held up a document.

 

“The marriage contract from the prince’s side. Did you confirm the name? Is the Manon surname, the ‘Mun,’ written correctly?”

 

The name Manon Juliette Mormatié had a fluorescent marker drawn across the “Mun” part. Maël nodded in response.

 

“That’s her legal name.”

 

“Right? Jacques kept checking it, thinking it was a typo because we kept hearing ‘Manon Matié’ everywhere.”

 

“It’s only going to be used in press and public activities as a stage name.”

 

“Why the need to remove ‘Mun’ at all?”

 

“Sticking to what’s familiar will be best, I suppose.”

 

It wasn’t easy for an ordinary person to blend into the prestigious royal family, especially when mixed heritage made their appearance stand out even more.

 

Although her name was perfectly Monaco-style, her last name was different. ‘Mun’ came from her Korean mother’s side, while ‘Mormatié’ came from her Monaco father. After marriage, both parents had adopted this hybrid surname, but now, no one insisted on keeping it.

 

“If my father had known this would happen, he wouldn’t have combined our family name.”

 

So, if her daughter, at the age of twenty-six, had known she would become the Asian mixed-race princess, bound to the firstborn son of Monaco’s royal family, subject to all kinds of unwarranted scrutiny, she might not have agreed to the marriage.

 

“I’ll review the contract again before sending it to the royal family. It needs to be resolved quickly. The wedding isn’t far off.”

 

“Do you think this time it will be resolved?”

 

“We’ll make it work somehow. How could they ask Manon to sign something like this? Still, luckily, my brother is handling everything meticulously, so there’s that. By the way, Maël, I need you to see a client later. Is that okay? They specifically requested you.”

 

“Requested me? For what?”

 

“A paternity test.”

 

Paternity test.

 

For a family law attorney dealing with multimillionaires in this neighborhood, paternity cases were familiar. Sure, there were occasional disputes or overly emotional clients, but ultimately, DNA tests provided clear answers. Unlike divorce cases, which dragged on endlessly, these matters were straightforward.

 

“I like those. Do you have any details on the case? Statements or notes?”

 

“He seemed pretty casual when I talked to him. Didn’t mention much. I told him to gather everything for you before the consultation.”

 

It didn’t seem like it would take much time. Nodding, Maël watched as Dian spoke again.

 

“By the way, Maël, are you okay? Have there been any conflicts with the team lately?”

 

“Conflicts?”

 

“I saw the representative earlier. Antoine mentioned you.”

 

That must be why Dian, a partner attorney, had come here in person.

 

The managing attorney of Law Firm 377, Antoine Duberge, was Charles’ father.

 

[I truly love you. There’s no one else for me, Maël. A single mistake on your part can’t represent all the love I’ve shown you…]

 

Over the past few days, Charles had been sending these creepy messages, which Maël had ignored entirely. Around rush hour, he had his secretary patrol the family law team’s floor, asking why Charles had suddenly taken interest, only to ignore them. Even delaying his work hours didn’t deter him.

 

Looks like he’s resorting to other methods now.

 

“The team is fine as far as I know.”

 

Except for the son of the representative. Dian thought for a moment before shrugging.

 

“That’s good. I told Antoine I couldn’t find a lawyer as good as you, and he listened.”

 

“Dian, about passing off this case…”

 

“I said no need. Anyway, it’s funny. I was surprised by talk of conflict involving the family law team when no one mentioned it.”

 

Cutting off Maël, Dian gave a sly smile, as if she knew everything. Before Maël could respond, she checked her watch and waved him off.

 

“I’m leaving. But Maël, don’t pass off the consultation today. The client is wealthy and terrifyingly handsome.”

 

“Did you just talk to him?”

 

“I could tell from his voice.”

 

Dian had a habit of adding a little personal input about clients. But such positive assumptions? Maël chuckled and put his glasses back on.

 

There was plenty of work to be done. Sorting through messages about the psychological abuse suffered by clients over the past three years, replying to a tennis champion discussing her prenuptial agreement, and contacting opposing lawyers about a client whose shared custody child wasn’t returning home. After finishing up, Jacques knocked on the door.

 

“Maël, your appointment with the Ballot client is in ten minutes. Paternity test.”

 

Maël took off his glasses, grabbed his jacket, and headed toward the consultation room.

 

The moment Maël sat down, took a breath, and the door opened, he sprang up, trying his best to maintain a trustworthy smile. But as he laid eyes on the client, his expression subtly contorted.

 

“Hello, Ballot… Mr.”

 

Yves.

 

The man who had hit the jackpot at the casino a few days ago and lost all that money at the roulette table. He casually entered the room, glanced briefly at the offered hand, then sat down without shaking it.

 

“I’m here to request a paternity test.”

 

Well, Maël didn’t mind straightforward clients. So, he let go of the handshake and calmly observed the man.

 

The man was rude. That was evident from the moment Maël saw him.

 

The man didn’t appear excited. That was odd, considering the nature of the case, which might have triggered betrayal or outrage.

 

“What’s this?”

 

As if responding to Maël’s internal question, the man leaned back in his chair, maintaining an unnervingly calm expression.

 

“This test seems necessary, as I need your extraordinary luck.”