They got out of the helicopter and waited for Kim to take them inside the underground passage.
Some people had come in their private jets while some arrived in their yachts. It was the gathering of all the wealthy and powerful people in the world. Of course, that demanded tight security, even stricter than the gambling tournament.
Only the people with the pass were allowed, and they required biometric verification to pass through the gates that were located on all sides of the island. There were different passages for different types of people according to their ranks and status.
Rudy and the gang were given special VVIP access that required no verification or checking. Only close friends and special guests of Lu Bela were allowed at that entry point.
"The island looked so small from far above… but now it seems so big…" Alice muttered.
"This island is bigger than our country, actually," Rudy informed.
"What?! No way!" Alice exclaimed. "Our country has sixty-nine states and over one hundred thousand cities!"
"Yeah."
"She owns such a big island…?"
"Actually, On paper, this island belongs to someone else," Kim asserted.
"I see."
Kim glanced at Ruby and said, "It belongs to Ruby."
"..." Ruby stopped walking and looked at Kim with a confused face. "Do you mean Rudy?"
"Don't be so surprised now. You have the Gambling Queen title, which gives you many benefits. It's more than you can even think of," Rudy stated. "I knew about it, though."
"Wait, does that mean I have higher authority than Lu Bela?"
"No." Kim shook her head. "Master had two roles in the Underworld. One was the role of the Gambling Queen, which was for the public's eyes. Her second role is the leader of the Underblades and the secret ruler of the Underworld— which is obviously a secret.
Now she no longer has to worry about her public role, and she can rule the Underworld without caring about anything. That's precisely why she let you win the VVIP gambling tournament.
"What do you mean? I won that tournament because of my skills!" Ruby hissed, seemingly offended by Kim's statement.
"Yes, there is no denying that. You were great, and that's why you won, but Master let you win. If she wanted, she could have used her authority and cheated to win. That is 'if' she wanted to keep her title as the Gambling Queen. You certainly deserve that title, though."
"So if this island belongs to me, doesn't that mean I can do whatever I want here?"
"You can. But what will you do? You are already provided with the best services. And if you are saying that you want money from the Master to host the auction on this island, then I will arrange your appointment with her."
"No, I don't want money. It's just… I feel useless. Ever since I was a kid, I dreamt of being at the top of the Underworld. I wanted to be the gambling queen, and now I am the gambling queen.
I achieved my dream, and everything feels worthless. I didn't gain anything. Money has no value to me. My family is gone. My syndicate, which I ought to rule, has been disbanded. And Even with so much wealth and fame, I am living in a pool house with my half-sister's husband's harem."
"....!" Jane jolted in fear after hearing that. Her heart literally skipped a beat, and her face turned pale. Her body froze. After all, Ruby ended up speaking about the harem in front of Rias, which was an extreme taboo.
She glanced at Rias to see her reaction, but Rias pretended as though she didn't hear what Ruby said.
Rias had brought her phone with her, and as soon as Ruby began to speak. She realized that there was a chance that she would let her tongue slip in the heat of the moment. And when Ruby mentioned it, Rias pretended to be busy with her phone.
Jane continued staring at Rias for a few seconds before she sighed in relief.
"..." Rudy, who was watching everything, facepalmed himself and blamed Rias for the mess she had gotten him into by not revealing the truth to Jane.
He had promised Rias, and hence he couldn't go back on his words and tell everything to Jane. However, he swore that he wouldn't do something like that ever again.
"You know, you can move back into the Underworld. I am sure the Master can provide you with a palace-like house and dozens of personal maids if you want," Kim suggested.
"I know. And I myself can manage that. But no matter how big and luxurious the palace is, it's worth nothing if Maria is not there."
"That's precisely why Rudy Ross has been looking for a big house so everyone can stay under one roof. I am sure he has included you too."
"Even if he hasn't, I will live with Maria. I don't need his permission or approval to be in the same house as my sister. I will pay him if he wants money."
"Just stop talking," Rudy nudged her. "We have already made a deal, so don't keep mentioning the same thing again and again. You are making me look like a bad guy who has locked Maria into the house against her will."
There was a big black limo parked at some distance. It had black windows, so the inside was invisible, but Rudy could see through everything.
They got into the car and sat the same way they did in the helicopter. Meanwhile, Kim got into the driver's seat, and her guard sat beside her.
"It's going to be a long ride, so if you have any special requests to play songs, please let me know. I will play them for you. Even better if you have a playlist ready for a ride."
"How long is the ride exactly?" Rudy asked calmly.
"Depends on how fast you want me to drive. It's mostly a straight road; we are the only ones going through this passage, so I can go as fast as you want.
"Alright, I got the playlist ready, and I already hacked into the limo."
A slow acoustic song began to play as the car engine started.
"Also, I bypassed and enhanced the engine, so you can go as fast as the fastest car in the world. If you are worried about the road, I can make the car fly."
