Chapter 173
Chapter 173
Chapter 173
First , it was a race ; now , it was a battle of wealth .
When it came to money , Stanley , the richest man in Hovendale , clearly wasn’t someone who could lose .
Jessica flashed him a coy smile , her pretty face glowing as she pleaded with him to buy the bikini .
Stanley glanced at Jessica , then shifted his gaze to Wendy .
Wendy was looking at him with her clear , bright eyes .
Jessica clung to his arm , pouting and sweetly begging , “ Stariley , please buy it for me . I really want it ! ”
Stanley turned to the shopkeeper . “ I’ll pay you double what it’s worth . ”
He offered to double the price to buy the bikini for Jessica .
Jessica lifted her chin proudly , like a peacock flaunting her feathers , casting a smug look at Wendy as if to say , Look , Stanley bought it for me . ”
Nathan quickly chimed in . “ Stanley , you’re really killing the fun here . Sir , I’ll pay three times the price . ”
Nathan was willing to pay three times the price to buy it for Wendy .
Wendy glanced at Nathan , shaking her head . “ Nathan , it’s fine , really … ”
“ No , it’s not fine , ” Nathan insisted with a grin . “ I’m buying it , and I want to see you wear it . ”
Stanley furrowed his brows slightly . “ I’ll pay four times .”
Nathan countered , “ I’ll pay five times . ”
Now it was a battle between two men .
Stanley shot back , “ Six times . ”
As Nathan was about to respond , Wendy stopped him with a gentle hand . “ Nathan , I don’t want the pink bikini anymore . ”
Wendy extended her slender finger and pointed to a vibrant magenta bikini . “ I want that one . ”
The shopkeeper quickly grabbed the magenta bikini from the rack . “ Excellent choice , miss . That’ll look amazing on you . ”
Wendy winked at Nathan playfully . “ Nathan , could you buy this one for me ? ”
Nathan raised an eyebrow . He realized that Wendy didn’t want to keep going with this rivalry between him and Stanley . She was being considerate , protecting his pride as a man and keeping things light for everyone .
She was extremely thoughtful .
“ Of course , ” he said with a smile .
He pulled out his wallet and paid for the magenta bikini .
Wendy took the pink bikini and casually tossed it into Jessica’s arms . “ Here , Jessica , you can have this one . I don’t want it anymore . ”
Jessica was completely caught off guard . Her expression turned to one of shock as she realized Wendy had turned the tables on her .
1/2
Chapter 173
+25 BONUS
Cecelia chuckled . “ Some people are so strange , paying six times the price for something Wendy doesn’t even want .
Jessica was left speechless .
“ Wendy , let’s go change into our bikinis , ” Cecelia said , glancing at Stanley with a sly smile . “ By the way , Nathan paid for the magenta one . You should hurry up and wear it for him . ”
Stanley’s lips pressed into a tight line , his usual aura darkening .
Wendy appreciated Nathan’s gesture . She smiled at him . “ Thanks , Nathan . I’ll go change now . ”
Nathan nodded . “ Okay . ”
Wendy and Cecelia walked off toward the women’s changing room .
Meanwhile , Jessica stood there , holding the pink bikini in her arms , feeling utterly humiliated , She didn’t know what to do with it – she couldn’t just throw it away , but keeping it felt just as bad .
Sienna’s face was equally sour , filled with envy . She resented Nathan for buying the bikini for Wendy .
In the hot spring pool , Stanley and Nathan had already arrived . Jessica and Sienna followed soon after .
Sienna , clearly delighted , called out , “ Stanley , Jessica’s here ! ”
Stanley looked up as Jessica stepped into view , wearing the pink bikini . Her dancer’s body , honed from years of ballet , was perfectly sculpted – curves in all the right places . Her long , wavy hair cascaded down her back , making her look even more radiant and stunning . She was a fiery red rose .
As soon as Jessica entered , all the men’s eyes in the hot spring pool snapped to her .
Jessica , used to the attention , felt all the gazes on her . She had grown up in the spotlight , accustomed to the attention of men .