Their Punching Bag Became The Storm novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16 Wild Beauty

A soft, velvety light wrapped around both of them, casting a gentle glow that made everything feel magical.”

Somehow, the atmosphere between them became intimate and gentle.

The live chat was going wild.

[Something’s not right!]

[Seriously, what’s going on here?!]

[Ryan signed up for a survival show, not a dating show!]

[Why does it suddenly feel like they’re made for each other?]

[It has to be Whitney’s face. She’s way too mesmerizing. We’re all getting bewitched by her looks.]

[No!]

[Ryan belongs to all of us!]

Ryan’s fans struggled to stay calm.

But they couldn’t hold it together when Ryan, with that deep, magnetic voice that could make anyone weak in the knees, said with a faint smile, “Then, I’ll call you Wild Beauty.”

Whitney’s hand trembled.

‘Wild Beauty? Is he for real right now?‘ Whitney thought. ‘How does he manage to call me that with a face so untouchable and pure?‘

Whitney finished tying the last knot on her raincoat and immediately stepped back twice, making sure she was well out of Ryan’s reach.

She looked like she wanted out of there ASAP.

୮

Ryan’s long, elegant lashes lifted just a bit, the corners of his eyes forming a subtle, seductive curve. Those deep eyes of his shimmered like a sky full of stars.

Ryan teased, “What, you don’t like it?”

Whitney shrugged. “If it makes you happy, go ahead.”

‘It’s just a nickname. Whatever, she thought. ‘He’s going to leave the show soon

anyway!

“Wild Beauty,” Ryan said, the words rolling off his tongue in a teasing, lingering way.

‘He’s flirting again,‘ Whitney thought.

She rubbed her face, replying with forced patience, “Uh–huh.”

Chapter 16 Wild Beauty

Ryan asked, “So, what do you want to call me?”

Whitney thought, ‘There’s no way I could ever call him “Pretty Ryan” with a straight face like he just did.’

With a deadpan expression, Whitney replied, “Ryan.”

[Okay, I’ll admit it. She really does live up to the name “Wild Beauty.“]

[But her beauty shouldn’t be acknowledged by Ryan!]

[What is up with these two? Are we watching a dating show or what?]

swear, Ryan acts different around her.]

[He’s nothing like this with Emily next door.]

[Seriously, when have you ever seen Ryan give anyone a nickname before?]

[The way Ryan just lifted his arm and let Whitney fix his raincoat. He was strangely obedient. And Whitney letting him call her “Wild Beauty“? It’s like he’s spoiling her or something.]

[Wake up, people. Shipping rare pairs is fine, but this is just too weird. No matter how gorgeous that woman is, she’s still not good enough for our Ryan.]

[Honestly, I don’t think Whitney even wants to get hyped up with Ryan. If it were Emily, she’d probably be all over him while fixing his raincoat.]

[Ryan: Wild Beauty, were you really serious about stepping back just now?]

[Wild Beauty must be dead serious. She was practically sprinting away from Ryan, like getting too close would set off alarms.]

[She’s probably just acting all cool to avoid getting roasted in the comments.]

[Ryan: I’m not here for the shipping drama.]

The live chat was blowing up.

J

But Whitney herself wasn’t about to let things get all flirty and confusing between

them.

Teaming up with a legend like Ryan, there was no way her stream would ever end up at

the bottom.

She turned and started walking ahead, calling back, “Ryan, I’ll keep you safe and work with you. If you get scared or feel off, just let me know so I can adjust right away.” Whitney’s voice was cool and confident, with a hint of lazy elegance, like a boss lady laying down the rules.

Her tone was chill and detached, totally unbothered.

It was as if she was running the show, commanding everyone around her.

Chapter 16 Wild Beauty

That vibe had Ryan’s fans losing their minds all over again.

But their cold, stoic, almost saintly Ryan just went along with it, giving a soft, cooperative “Okay” like it was nothing.

Whitney didn’t even bother to look back as she kept walking, her voice cool and confident. “Don’t worry. Since you’re sticking with me, I promise we’ll snag first place together tonight, and you’ll get the best dinner you’ve ever had.”

She didn’t say she’d help him win.

She said they’d win as a team.

Ryan’s mood brightened, a soft smile flickering in those starry, dark eyes of his. “I trust you.”

The live chat went wild. They were losing it all over again.

This was the first time anyone had seen Ryan be this soft and sweet.

Seriously, Ryan’s only like this when Whitney’s around.

Some viewers were seriously put off by what Whitney said.

[With how delicate she looks, just making it through the night on this wild island without slowing Ryan down would be impressive enough. And now she’s acting like she can protect him and help him win first place? Please.]

[And her foot’s still injured, too.]

[She really has the nerve to brag like that?]

[She’s just trying to look good in front of Ryan, isn’t she?]

[Isn’t she afraid she’ll end up begging Ryan for help and totally embarrass herself later?

But then, the viewers realized Whitney wasn’t talking big.

Even in the pitch–black night, deep in the wild, untamed forest, she moved with ease, like she was born for this, slipping through the shadows without missing a beat. Leading the way, she slashed aside the overgrown branches and wild vines, clearing a smooth path for Ryan right behind her.

Even when they reached the deepest part of the forest, where the branches and vines were so thick she couldn’t clear a path anymore, Whitney didn’t hesitate.

She strode right up, took Ryan’s wrist in her hand, and led him through the dense thicket, making sure he stayed safe the whole way.

But the most jaw–dropping thing was Whitney was gliding through the dense forest like it was a walk in the park.

And on top of that, she could sniff out every single stash of food the crew had hidden

Chapter 16 Wild Beauty

on the wild island.

Some of the food was hidden way up high, tucked into the thickest branches of the biggest trees in the jungle.

Whitney didn’t hesitate for a second. She just planted her foot and started climbing.

She didn’t even give Ryan a chance to help.

[This woman’s actually got some serious skills.]

[Is Ryan really getting helped by a girl right now?]

[I seriously underestimated Whitney. Guess that’s on me for being clueless.]

[How is she this good? It’s like this wild island is her own backyard.]

[Did Wild Beauty just go OP or something?]

[Did the crew secretly give Whitney the locations of all the hidden food? How else is she snagging every stash so perfectly?]

[I feel the same way. She’s making a beeline for every food stash. Something’s definitely up.]

[@Production team, we demand an explanation.]

Darian, sitting in the makeshift director’s room on the wild island, was confused.

‘I’m innocent, okay?‘ he thought.

The food was air–dropped totally at random. Even the production team had no idea where it ended up. How could they possibly have slipped Whitney the locations?

Honestly, Darian was just as stumped as everyone else. ‘Seriously, how did Whitney pull this off? How is she finding every single stash in the jungle with pinpoint accuracy?‘

he wondered.

Darian, still baffled, told Cohen, his assistant, to post the footage of their random food drops to clear the production team’s name!

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Chapter 17 She’s Survived on a Wild Island

Chapter 17 She’s Survived on a Wild Island