Independence

However, Hansel looked utterly worn out. He shut his eyes to sleep, tuning out everything around him.

Out of nowhere, Luke burst out, “Wow, that’s breathtaking!”

Ingrid turned to see what he was staring at and spotted Miranda emerging from one of the beach huts. She was wearing a black two- piece bikini with a skirt, and a white chiffon scarf as draped loosely around her neck, fluttering elegantly in the sea breeze.

“Good heavens! She’s the spitting image of a Channelle 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 Channelle, Arial

Channelle? She wore a black dress and a white veil walking down Silvershire Avenue in Franelia. The wind caught the hem of her dress and sent 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 stack up against her?”

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

Ingrid’s expression darkened. In reality, she was tall, her complexion was fair, and her wavy hair flowed loosely down her back, lending her an effortless elegance.

By contrast, Miranda wore a modest two–piece skirted bikini with the skirt’s hem reaching her upper thighs. Moreover, it was black in color,

146 BORUS

which didn’t draw the eye. But Miranda’s skin was so fair that the black made her seem to glow from within.

The white chiffon scarf she donned played coy with modesty, toying with the boundary between hiding and revealing. These outsiders had probably never met a woman who so perfectly blended Hebranian. classical charm with seductive grace

Miranda shone like a rare jewel amid a swarm of flashy bikinis. Her simplicity and elegance set her apart as uniquely enchanting

What drove Ingrid even madder was what happened next.

Hansel, who had been napping with his eyes shut, suddenly seemed to pick up on something. He sat up sharply, his eyes fixing on Miranda, Confusion, surprise, admiration, regret, remorse, and a storm of emotions churned under his stare.

Ingrid’s jealousy contorted her expression. She thought Miranda had been nothing more than a fragile blossom that Hansel had tended to meticulously over the years. Her life of affluence had kept her. complexion flawless.

Yet, now she was putting on airs, pretending to be a refined and sophisticated lady. In reality, she was just a fortune hunter. She even went so far as to fake studying in the library and preparing for her postgraduate admission exams.

With Hansel having severed ties with her, she was probably out of cash. and was now on the hunt for another wealthy man.

Ingrid scoffed. What was Miranda so self–satisfied about when all she did was scoop up the scraps Ingrid had already tossed aside?

“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 blocking his view of Miranda.

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

“How about… I grab you a drink?” Ingrid suggested.Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

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 as she assessed Miranda from head to toe.” Black is so dull, and together 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 to me later complaining if you don’t get any roses.” Miranda quickly waved her hand. “I’d rather no one give me any.”

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

As the sun dipped below the horizon, the highlight of Bikini Day–the flower–giving ceremony–began right on time. Almost half the men in attendance handed their roses to Miranda.

At first, she attempted to decline and push them away, but as the crowd cheered louder with each rose offered, she realized she couldn’t defy the rules. Reluctantly, she accepted the flowers.