Chapter 14

Hansel looked utterly worn out. He closed his eyes to sleep, ignoring everything around him. Suddenly, Luke exclaimed, “Wow, that’s breathtaking!”

Ingrid turned to see what he was looking at. Miranda emerged from a beach hut, wearing a black two-piece bikini with a skirt and a white chiffon scarf draped loosely around her neck, fluttering elegantly in the sea breeze.

“Good heavens! She’s the spitting image of a Chanel muse! She’s downright stunning!” Luke blurted out.

Ingrid gave him an icy stare. “You think she’s pretty?”

Luke nodded vigorously. “Do you know the founder of Chanel, Arial Chanel? She wore a black dress and a white veil walking down Silvershire Avenue in Franelia. The wind caught the hem of her dress, sending her veil twirling gracefully into the air—”

Ingrid clenched her jaw. “And what about me? Do you think I’m beautiful?”

“Absolutely, you’re stunning,” Luke replied instantly.

“And how do I compare to her?”

“Oh, it’s a tough call, as a gentleman, but if pushed, I’d say she might have the edge in looks.”

Ingrid’s expression darkened. She was tall, with fair skin and wavy hair flowing loosely down her back, lending her an effortless elegance. In contrast, Miranda wore a modest, skirted black two-piece bikini; the skirt reached her upper thighs. The black didn’t draw the eye, but her fair skin glowed against it. The white chiffon scarf she wore playfully hinted at modesty, toying with the line between hiding and revealing. These outsiders likely had never met a woman who so perfectly blended Hebranian classical charm with seductive grace. Miranda shone like a rare jewel amidst a swarm of flashy bikinis. Her simplicity and elegance made her uniquely enchanting.

What drove Ingrid even madder was what happened next. Hansel, who had been sleeping, sat up sharply, his eyes fixed on Miranda. Confusion, surprise, admiration, regret, remorse—a storm of emotions churned in his gaze.

Ingrid’s jealousy contorted her face. She had considered Miranda a fragile blossom she had meticulously cultivated over the years. Her affluent life had kept her complexion flawless. Yet, now Miranda was putting on airs, pretending to be refined and sophisticated. In reality, Ingrid believed she was a fortune hunter, faking library study sessions to prepare for postgraduate admission exams. With Hansel having ended their relationship, she was probably broke and hunting for another wealthy man.

Ingrid scoffed. What was Miranda so self-satisfied about? She was simply picking up the scraps Ingrid had discarded.

“Dear, if other men gave me roses, would you be jealous?” Ingrid moved closer to Hansel, tilting her head and leaning on his shoulder, subtly obstructing his view of Miranda.

Chapter 14 (continued)

Annoyed, Hansel shoved her away. “It’s hot. Stop clinging to me.”

“How about… I get you a drink?” Ingrid suggested.

Hansel nodded and hummed in response. The moment Ingrid was out of sight, he immediately turned his attention back to Miranda.

“You really changed your outfit after I already picked one out for you?” Winter narrowed her eyes, assessing Miranda from head to toe. “Black is so dull, and with a white chiffon scarf? You might as well be wearing a swimsuit.”

Miranda cleared her throat lightly. “I like it this way. I feel comfortable.”

“Fine, but don’t come complaining later if you don’t get any roses.”

Miranda quickly waved her hand. “I’d rather no one give me any.”

The truth was, the things people feared most often came to pass.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the highlight of Bikini Day—the rose-giving ceremony—began on time. Almost half the men handed their roses to Miranda. At first, she tried to refuse them, but as the crowd cheered louder with each rose, she realized she couldn’t defy the rules. Reluctantly, she accepted the flowers.