Chapter 61
Ethan Roscente lay with his eyes closed, breathing steadily as if deep in sleep.
The surrounding noise meant nothing to him.
"My God! That is a work of art!" A foreign man suddenly exclaimed, his gaze burning as he looked toward the distance.
Sophia Sullivan followed his line of sight.
Olivia Lopez emerged from the changing room in a black two-piece swimsuit.
A white chiffon scarf was loosely tied around her neck.
The sea breeze brushed past, lifting it into a gentle arc.
"Like a black swan! Mysterious and elegant!"
Sophia Sullivan shot a cold glance at the man beside her. "Am I not beautiful?"
The foreign man nodded earnestly. "You are very beautiful."
"Compared to her?"
"Well..." The man frowned uncomfortably. "That young lady has more... allure."
Sophia Sullivan's face instantly darkened.
She was tall and fair-skinned, with wavy long hair full of charm.
Yet Olivia Lopez had chosen the most conservative style.
The black color made her skin appear even paler, like snow.
The semi-transparent white scarf added an Eastern subtlety that somehow drew more attention.
Just then, Ethan Roscente, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly sat up.
The moment his eyes landed on Olivia Lopez, a flash of awe crossed his gaze.
It quickly turned into profound regret.
Sophia Sullivan trembled with jealousy, her fingertips shaking.
She's just a kept woman, a caged songbird.
How dare she steal my spotlight?
"Darling, would you be jealous if someone gave me roses?" she cooed sweetly, leaning against Ethan Roscente's shoulder to block his view.
Ethan Roscente frowned and pushed her away. "It's hot. Move away."
"Then I'll go buy you some juice?"
"Mmm."
The moment Sophia Sullivan left, his eyes immediately returned to Olivia Lopez.
...
"You really changed?" Isabella Langley looked over Olivia Lopez's outfit. "Black is too plain. The white scarf would be better with a one-piece."
Olivia Lopez adjusted her scarf. "This is more comfortable."
"Fine. Don't regret it later when no one gives you a rose."
"I'd prefer if they didn't."
But fate had other plans.
As the sun set, the rose-giving ceremony began.
Most of the men presented their roses to Olivia Lopez.
She tried to refuse at first, but the crowd's encouragement overwhelmed her.