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For the next two hours, I circulated among guests, shaking hands, accepting congratulations, answering questions with practiced ease.

Throughout it all, I maintained appropriate distance from Harlow, though I was acutely aware of her location at every moment—as she toured commission representatives through security facilities, as she spoke with journalists about the collaborative oversight model, as she paused beside the fountain in the center of the casino floor, momentarily alone.

I seized the opportunity, approaching her with a champagne flute. "Investigator Clarke. Your assessment of the implementation?"

Her lips curved in the slight smile she reserved for public interactions. "Exemplary execution, Mr. Hardwick. The systems are performing precisely as designed."

"High praise, coming from you." I handed her the champagne, careful to avoid our fingers touching. "Would you join me on the mezzanine balcony? There's a compliance matter I'd like to discuss."

Her eyebrow arched slightly, recognizing the pretext. "Of course."

Moments later, we stood on the private balcony overlooking the casino floor. Below us, the Jade Petal pulsed with energy—players at the tables, staff moving with choreographed precision, the subtle symphony of excitement rising from the crowd.

"It's magnificent," Harlow said quietly, professional mask slipping away now that we were alone. "Everything you envisioned and more."

I moved beside her at the railing, close enough to feel her warmth without actually touching. "Three years ago, you shut me down. Now we've built something better together."

"We have." She turned to face me fully. "And not just the casino."

The sunlight filtering through emerald glass bathed her in a gentle green glow, highlighting the amber flecks in her hazel eyes. In that moment, I couldn't imagine a more perfect sight.

"Are you ready to tell the world we're actually married?" I asked.

Her smile—the real one, the one I'd earned through months of proving myself worthy of her trust—brightened her entire face. "More than ready."

***

The Dragon's Crown VIP lounge had been transformed for the private reception following the public opening. Vegas elite mingled with investors, commissioners, and select media representatives, celebrating the successful launch while staff circulated with champagne and delicacies.

I caught Harlow's eye across the room and received her subtle nod. With practiced ease, I moved to the center of the space and tapped a knife against my crystal flute, drawing attention.

"Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for a moment." Conversations quieted as all eyes turned toward me. "I'd like to propose a toast—not just to the Jade Petal's successful opening, but to something even more meaningful."

I extended my hand toward Harlow, who moved to join me with graceful confidence. As she took her place beside me, curious murmurs spread through the assembled guests.

"Many of you know Investigator Clarke from the Nevada Gaming Commission, whose collaborative oversight model has been instrumental in creating the regulatory framework that makes the Jade Petal unique.

" I smiled down at her, no longer hiding the affection in my expression.

"What you may not know is that she is also my wife. "

The reaction was immediate—expressions of shock, confused whispers, several audible gasps. Liv Chen's photographer's camera clicked rapidly, capturing the moment for tomorrow's headlines.

"I realize this comes as a surprise," I continued, "so allow me to explain. Our story began conventionally enough—with Harlow shutting down my previous casino for compliance violations."

A ripple of laughter broke the tension.

"What followed was less conventional. Three years rebuilding. A reluctant partnership that became a genuine collaboration. And yes, a Vegas wedding chapel at three in the morning after perhaps one too many celebratory drinks."

More laughter now, easier, as the assembled guests processed the revelation.

"What began as a Vegas cliché has become the most meaningful relationship of my life," I said, my voice carrying absolute conviction. "Together, we've created not just a casino, but a new model for how regulation and industry can work in partnership rather than opposition."

I turned to Harlow, silently inviting her to speak.

She stepped forward, her professional composure seamlessly integrating with personal warmth.

"Our journey from adversaries to partners wasn't planned," she said, addressing the room with the same confidence she brought to commission hearings.

"But it's proven that the most productive relationships often arise from challenging each other to be better. "

She turned slightly to address the commissioners directly.

"The collaborative oversight model that the Jade Petal has pioneered demonstrates that effective regulation doesn't require antagonism.

By working together, we've created systems that better protect consumers, ensure compliance, and still allow for innovation and prosperity. "

Commissioner Montgomery raised her glass in subtle acknowledgment, while beside her, Commissioner Diaz's calculating expression suggested she was already considering the political implications.

"To partnerships," I proposed, raising my glass. "Professional and personal."

The toast echoed around the room as guests raised their glasses. The initial shock had transformed into fascination—especially among the journalists present, who clearly recognized the potential headline value of our revelation.

As conversations resumed, now centered on our announcement, Liv Chen approached with determined focus. "Mr. Hardwick, Investigator Clarke—quite the bombshell you've dropped. The gaming commission knew about this relationship?"

"They were informed during the final licensing review," Harlow confirmed smoothly. "Our personal relationship developed after the primary investigation was complete, and the commission determined there was no conflict of interest given the timing and circumstances."

"And the wedding?" Liv pressed, barely containing her excitement at the scoop.

I laughed. "Exactly as unplanned as it sounds. Vegas at its finest."

"We intended to annul it initially," Harlow added, her honesty disarming even Liv's journalistic instincts. "But sometimes what begins as an accident turns out to be exactly right."

For the next hour, we navigated the reception together—no longer pretending to be merely professional associates.

To my surprise, the response was overwhelmingly positive.

Investors appreciated the transparency. Fellow casino operators seemed more intrigued than threatened.

Even the commissioners, after their initial concern, appeared to recognize the publicity value of being associated with our innovative approach.

"Power couple reshaping Vegas regulation," I overheard one journalist comment to another. "That's tomorrow's headline sorted."

As the reception continued around us, I found a moment to lead Harlow onto the private terrace. The Strip stretched below us, a river of neon and ambition against the deepening dusk. The Jade Petal's emerald glass exterior gleamed like a beacon among its flashier neighbors.

"You realize we've just redefined industry-commission relations for the entire Strip," Harlow said, leaning against the railing beside me. "Camilla texted that her phone hasn't stopped ringing since our announcement."

"Bothered?" I asked, studying her face for any signs of regret.

She shook her head, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. "Oddly, no. I spent years building walls between my professional and personal life. It's surprisingly liberating to tear them down."

I wrapped an arm around her waist, drawing her closer. "Speaking of liberation—how does it feel to be publicly married to the man you once considered your nemesis?"

"Professionally complicated. Personally perfect." She turned within the circle of my arms to face me. "I never expected this, Easton. Any of it."

"Neither did I." I brushed a strand of hair from her face. "But then again, the best partnerships often begin as accidents."

The kiss we shared then, overlooking the empire we'd built together, felt like both an ending and a beginning—the conclusion of our journey from enemies to allies, and the start of whatever came next.

Below us, the Jade Petal hummed with life and possibility.

Around us, the Vegas skyline glittered with endless potential.

Three years ago, Harlow Clarke had shut down my casino and nearly destroyed my career. Today, she stood beside me as my wife, my partner, my most trusted ally. If that wasn't the ultimate Vegas jackpot, I didn't know what was.

"Ready to go back in?" she asked when we finally separated.

I gazed down at her—this extraordinary woman who had challenged me, pushed me, made me better in ways I was only beginning to understand.

"With you? I'm ready for anything."

We returned to the reception hand in hand, no longer hiding, no longer pretending. Whatever came next—challenges, opportunities, triumphs, setbacks—we would face it together. And in Vegas, where the odds always favored the house, I had finally found the one bet worth placing everything on.