[Jake's POV]
The Jade Palace sat on the southern edge of the Cotai Strip, a towering structure of emerald glass and polished steel that tried hard to mimic the opulence of the Grand Azure but fell just short. It catered to a specific demographic: mainland businessmen who wanted the VIP experience without the suffocating scrutiny of the Four Dragons' primary establishments.
From the street, the building pulsed. Emerald light bled down the glass and pooled on the wet sidewalk. The air outside smelled like rain on hot concrete mixed with the sweet, artificial scent of casino exhaust. Cabs idled at the curb, engines running low. Valets in cheap green vests moved too fast, their shoes squeaking against the pavement. Neon reflected in the puddles and broke apart under tires.
