5 Chapter 5 - A New Player In Town II

It's about time I talk about the Cheng Family. They're mostly a legitimate family of businessmen. I say mostly because although they prefer peaceful negotiations, they're not above hiring some muscle to deal with their enemies. They're also connected to the Los Santos Triads through Wei Cheng.

The reason I didn't put them on my list is that they mostly focused on managing The Diamond Casino and Resort. At least for now. It is only after years later will they try expanding to the narcotics business, which I'm planning on taking advantage of.

When I was making plans during my first week here, I didn't really put the casino on my priority list. However, that changed when I found out The Duggan Family has been raising the oil and gas prices in San Andreas. In the game, they only did so so that they could buy off the Casino. Which was not supposed to happen only after 5 years from now. I can't have that happening.

Honestly, if the Head of the Cheng Family didn't assign Tao Cheng, his cokehead moron of a nephew, to manage the Casino, The Duggans wouldn't have taken over. I don't f*cking know what came over his head.

And so, I had to hasten some of my plans. That's why I planted some fake evidence in Devin Weston's investigation about his stolen money. I did not just pit two large powers just because I felt like it. I needed the Duggans to focus their attention on something else, so I could buy some time. While also weakening Merryweather just a bit. Two birds with one stone, as they say.

Not only that, this should also get the attention of the FIB. Which is crucial for my plan to take over San Andreas. A week ago, I hacked into the FIB's database and found my file. But I didn't wipe it just yet. If one of their files suddenly goes missing, that's gonna raise some suspicion. Especially if they know it was mine. Sure, you could say I should wipe some other data as well to throw them off. But that's not the end of it. There are also physical copies, drives, and documents. There's also those who have read my file. I can't delete a person's memory now, can I?

I can assassinate them, sure. But if I kill them one by one, investigations could lead the FIB to find out my connections to them. I don't want that headache to add to my already long list of burdens. That's why I need them in one place. So when the time for me to raid the FIB comes, they would attribute my wiping their data and killing their people to terrorism, which will completely sever my ties to them and the name Michael De Santa cleaned.

After a fifteen-minute drive from Ammunation, I arrived at the Diamond Casino And Resort. It was a multi-story building with a blue that fades to a white checkered pattern, its name written on the front in cursive. The front as well as the parking lot was adorned with tall palm trees and well-trimmed bushes. It houses the Casino, A Master Penthouse, Hotel, and a two-floor garage. It also has Roof Terrace which has multiple pools and jacuzzis where VIP members could hang around or party. Going to the basement allows access to The Music Locker, a nightclub for VIPs.

I parked my car in the parking lot and then made my to the entrance. As I made my way, several luxury cars passed by me and the valets ushered them in and took their cars to the garage. One of the valets greeted me as I walked in.

What greeted me was the bright lights, grey walls that held a Diamond Casino Sign in neon lights, and white flooring that has a black squiggle line pattern. To my left was the reception, to which a familiar face sat by. Tom Connors. He wasn't really a major character in the game, but once I've taken over the casino. He's one of the people I'll be working with.

"Good Afternoon, Sir. How may I be of service to you today?" He greeted me with a professional smile. He wore a black suit with the casino logo embroidered on the jacket and a pair of white-rimmed glasses on his face. His black hair slicked back.

"How much for the VIP membership?" I asked.

"The VIP Membership is divided into four tiers. Bronze allows you access to most casino activities for $500. Silver allows you access to high-level tables in the VIP Area and entry to the Music Locker for $1000. Gold allows you access to all the casino features as well as valet services for $2000. The last tier, which is Diamond, can only be received through invitation" He recited without pause.

The tiers weren't in the game, so this is new.

"I'll take the Gold Membership please" I replied as I handed him my card.

"Right away, Sir" He took my card then started typing on his computer, and then returned it to me. "Also, if you want to try your luck, there's a Horse Race at 3:00 PM today" he said as he gave me a different card, It was black with golden accents.

"Thanks, sure will" I took the card and made my way to the lobby.

Once I entered the lobby, a change of scenery was immediate. Fancy chandelier lighting hangs on the ceiling, black walls and smooth flooring. Men and Women with branded clothes, fancy suits and dresses mingled around the lobby. There was a Lucky Wheel positioned near the centre, to which you could win luxury clothing, chips, money, or a prized vehicle which was displayed on a rotating podium to the left of the wheel. A grey Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato sat on it.

On the right side of the lobby located is the cashier booth where you can exchange chips for money and vice versa; A circle-island bar named Solitaire where you can order some food and beverages; and the Casino Store where you could buy luxury clothing, accessories and casino branded products. At the back of the lobby is where various slot machines of different themes are located.

I made my way to the cashier and exchange all the remaining money in my personal legal account and exchanged them to chips. I now have $2,475 worth of chips, and I'm planning on walking out of here with millions.

I walked around the slot machines till I found a free one. It was a Fame or Shame-themed slot machine. Once I sat down, I studied it. It had three buttons which said SPIN, DOUBLE, AND TRIPLE. On the screen, it was divided into three which have various icons. Matching all three means I win.

Now if I was in the game, I can win as much as I want. But now that I'm in reality. If I win too much, they could get suspicious and kick me out. I don't plan on doing that. This is why, with RNGesus' Blessing, I'm planning on winning 1 out of 15 spins. Of course, I would bet only small amounts on the losses, otherwise, it would be just counterproductive and slow.

'RNGesus! Do your thing' I pressed the spin button, and as I did so, the icons started spinning.

'Win' I thought, and so I did. The machine jingled as the icons of three sevens matched. I continued to spin and spin, losing and winning for one hour. Some people came and watched me, some praised me when I won, and security guards walked past me from time to time. I'm safe for now.

I now have $371,250 worth of chips. I then got up and started making my way towards the VIP Area which was down the left hallway leading from the main lobby. Once I entered, I immediately noticed a sign in neon lights that said Inside Track. It was the betting area for the horse races. Another area is the Table Games. Many roulette, blackjack, and poker can be found there. There was a high-limit area for penthouse owners only which I ignored for now.

Various people in fancy clothing played on the tables. I sat at a table with a free seat and started playing. I followed the same principle as what I did in the slot machine, winning and losing, switching from table to table. I played for two hours, gambling.

It was now 3:00 PM, and the horse race betting was about to begin. In here I don't plan on holding back. I'm gonna walk out of here with millions on my hands.

I made my way to the Inside Track. There was a large LCD screen inside, which I assume is where the horse race will be displayed. Numerous IBT machines can be seen as well, which was enough for at least twenty participants. People started entering the room as I did. I sat on a free chair and waited, for the race to begin.

On the screen, six racers were listed along with their names, [Bleet Me Baby], [Minimum Wager], [Divorced Doctor], [Questionable Dignity], [Throwing Shady], and [Crock Janley]. I couldn't help but laugh at their satirical names. I'll bet on Minimum Wager for now. I could only bet a maximum of $50,000 per race, and I'm about to win all of them.

The screen changed to the horse track, where the racers and their horses prepared. Then it began. The horses started running. It was a very close match, Divorced Doctor got a headstart but Questionable Dignity immediately caught up, with Crock Janley following close behind. Minimum Wager was dead last but suddenly gained a boost, catching to the first runner immediately, then finally he reached the finish line. I won. The other betters groaned as their bets lost. The races continued and my choice of racer changed every round.

There were two laps per race with 10-minute breaks in between races, so I spent hours inside the betting area. But in the end, it was worth it. I now have $10 Million worth of chips, which will dwindle out fast as I invest it in various businesses in Los Santos.

Blocks have now been built. I now just need security to maintain its foundation. It's time I let them know there's a new player in town.

***

That's it for Chapter 5!

I still struggle with descriptions so I hope you could bare with my amateurish words. Also, I'll be using the real-name equivalents of the cars in GTA V now.

I'll also be busy in the next few days so the next chapter should be out by next week, Tuesday night or Wednesday.