Chapter 172

Alexander chuckled. "So the 'help' Harrison mentioned was Isabella."

Nathaniel raised an eyebrow. "Help?"

"Earlier, you and Harrison were neck and neck," Alexander explained. "Harrison said Isabella has a weak heart. Even if you're the best driver, Isabella can't handle the speed. She was bound to help Harrison win."

Did she really say that?

Nathaniel's gaze followed Harrison's retreating figure, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Alexander nudged him. "She's intriguing, isn't she?"

Nathaniel remained silent.

Meanwhile, Isabella stood ignored, feeling invisible.

Harrison and Alexander entered the Presidential Suite with its breathtaking ocean view, while Isabella and Nathaniel headed to the Executive Suite.

Gabrielle and Arabella had arrived, eager to visit the resort's famous hot springs that evening.

Gabrielle grabbed Harrison's arm. "Let's go bikini shopping!"

The swimwear section overwhelmed them with endless styles.

Gabrielle gushed, "With your figure, we must find the perfect bikini to showcase it!"

Arabella's mocking voice cut in. "An ugly duckling remains an ugly duckling. How could you compare to a swan?"

Isabella and Arabella had joined them.

Soon, Nathaniel and Alexander entered too.

Alexander moved to Harrison's side. "What are you two discussing?"

Arabella sneered, "Harrison was picking a bikini to flaunt herself before all the men."

Harrison stayed silent.

Gabrielle opened her mouth, but Harrison stopped her with a gesture.

Arabella continued, "Isabella's the prima ballerina - her body is perfection. Others might try to copy her, but it's just pathetic."

Harrison recalled Isabella's similar accusations about copying her style.

Yet Harrison felt no anger. She noticed Nathaniel watching her, his gaze sweeping her figure. She looked away, wondering if he found her inferior to Isabella.

Alexander frowned. "Arabella, must you always be so rude?"

Arabella paled. "Alexander, I-"

Harrison interrupted with a smile. "It's fine. Let's just pick a bikini, Gabrielle."

Her eyes landed on a pink bikini. "I'll take that one."

The shopkeeper smiled. "Excellent choice. This pink suits your fair complexion beautifully."

As the bikini was taken down, Isabella suddenly declared, "I want that one too!" She'd chosen the same pink bikini, sparking a competition.

Harrison met Isabella's smug gaze. For Isabella, body display was her forte. She might have lost the race, but she aimed to outshine everyone at the hot springs, capturing all male attention.

She doubted Harrison, the simple country girl, dared compete with her.

The shopkeeper hesitated. "But...we only have one pink left..."

"Simple business - highest bidder wins," Isabella said sweetly, linking arms with Nathaniel. She batted her lashes. "Nathaniel, buy me that pink bikini."