Their Punching Bag Became The Storm novel Chapter 43

Chapter 43 Feel My Abs

“Whitney,” Emily called out, walking over with a look of pure sincerity in her eyes. “I have a suggestion, but I’m not sure if I should bring it up.”

The moment she approached, Elian and Nora’s faces shifted.

They exchanged bewildered glances, thinking, ‘What’s her angle now?‘ But with the cameras rolling, they couldn’t let their initation show too openly.

Whitney didn’t so much as blink. “Then keep it to yourself.” She thought, ‘As if anything decent ever comes out of her mouth.’

Emily froze, her cheeks flushing crimson and her eyes going glassy, the picture of wounded innocence.

“If you’ve got something to say, say it,” Chase said, stepping up behind her and draping an arm over her shoulders. He shot Whitney a look of clear displeasure.

Then he glanced down at Emily and gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t be nervous, Emily. Go ahead.”

Emily lifted her head, offering Chase a brave little smile, then turned back to Whitney and summoned her courage.

She said, “Whitney, I was thinking maybe we shouldn’t split into groups today. Why don‘ t all ten of us stick together?”

The second the words left her mouth, Elian and Nora practically lost it. Their heads were shaking so furiously they looked like they might spin right off.

They both thought, ‘Absolutely not! No way we’re getting packed in with a bunch of schemers. Teaming up with a two–faced snake? Hard pass.’

In perfect unison, they turned to Whitney, their eyes silently screaming at her to shut

r this down.

[LOL, the Elian and Nora ship is real! Their faces are like mirror images.]

[Wait, people are shipping Elian and Nora now? You guys will ship anything! Give the kid a break, he’s only eighteen.]

[The moment Public’s Sweetheart suggested teaming up, they went white as ghosts] [Is Emily really that bad?]

[Even Mr. Howard is frowning. Looks like Emily isn’t exactly winning any popularity contests with the other guests.]

The viewers caught on quickly from lind reactions. Apparently, Emily’s reputation wasn’t all that sweet ai

Successfully unlocked!

Whitney noticed the desperate looks they were shooting her and found the whole

Chapter 43 Feel My Abs

thing rather amusing.

Not that she needed their silent pleading. She would never agree to team up with Emily anyway. She wouldn’t know what kind of scheme Emily was cooking up this time.

Backstabbing was hard to guard against, and honestly, Whitney didn’t have the energy to keep watching her own back.

Besides, Whitney would probably lose her patience and punch Emily square in the face if she had to sit there listening to Emily’s phony sweet talk. The mere thought made

her stomach turn.

“Good thinking. Let’s never bring it up again,” Whitney said flatly, not bothering with pleasantries. “I’ll pass.”

“Whitney, don’t be so quick to turn me down,” Emily pressed on, undeterred. “I’m actually a really strong swimmer.

“I competed for my school and everything. Anything involving water, I’m basically a natural.”

Whitney let out a lazy “Oh?” and her expression flickered with something close to amusement. “So you’re the one Darian was talking about earlier?”

Darian had mentioned there was someone in the group who was a strong swimmer and had hoped that person wouldn’t try to show off.

Emily’s face went scarlet, and she bit down on her lip so hard she was practically trembling with rage.

But she gathered herself, remembering her goal, and pushed on with her best performance. “I used to go to my friends‘ yacht parties all the time.

“I was out on the water once or twice a month, and I went fishing constantly. I’m really good at this kind of thing. I can help you out.”

The simp squad and Bella stared at Emily in disbelief, completely lost as to why she was suddenly cozying up to Whitney, acting like she genuinely wanted to be friends.

They’d been fawning over her forever and never earned so much as a second glance. And now Whitney, the one who’d butted heads with her, was the one getting Emily’s warm and friendly treatment.

Emily forged ahead anyway, her voice syrupy sweet as she invited Whitney to join forces.

Whitney narrowed her eyes, sizing Emily up. ‘What is she plotting?‘ she wondered. Seeing Whitney still holding her silence, Chase’s patience snapped. “Whitney, she’s handing you an easy ride. Take it. Emily is being generous enough to let you tag along. Say yes already.”

Chapter 43 Feel My Abs

He wore the expression of someone bestowing a royal blessing. “If Emily’s feeling Charitable tonight, she might even let you have a bite of that seafood feast.”

“Chase, don’t say it like that.” Emily gave his arm a little shake, looking bashful and flustered by the praise. But from the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at Ryan.

And then it clicked for Whitney. That was what this was about. Emily was putting on a whole show for Ryan, trying to catch his attention.

This was her grand moment, her chance to flaunt her skills and prove she could actually win at something for once.

All that phony friendliness and team–up talk was a smokescreen. The real goal was to grab Ryan’s attention, or better yet, reel him into her group.

And honestly, that was exactly what Emily was thinking. She wanted Ryan to see how incredible she was, to use her talents to hook him.

Emily was dead set on making Ryan realize that she was ten times, a hundred times, a thousand times better than Whitney could ever be.

But no matter how many glances she shot his way or how much she flaunted her skills, Ryan remained cool and detached, his gaze never once drifting toward her.

Suddenly, a slender figure stepped in, cutting off Emily’s line of sight. Whitney’s gaze was ice–cold, her voice flat and sharp. “Do you not understand plain English?”

Emily’s eyes welled up, red and watery.

Whitney went on. “I told you before. Watching you two play these ridiculous games right in front of me is honestly sickening.”

“I–I only wanted to get along with you,” Emily whispered, the picture of heartbreak, her eyes red as she lowered her head and let silent tears roll down her cheeks.

Once her lashes were soaked, Emily lifted her gaze toward Ryan with those big, tearful

r eyes, hoping he would see Whitney’s true colors at last.

But before their eyes could even meet, Ryan didn’t spare her a single glance.

He reached out, took Whitney’s hand, and led her away. “Don’t waste your breath on people who don’t matter. Let’s figure out how to catch some fish.”

Nora’s gaze lingered on their joined hands for a few beats before a mischievous grin spread across her face. “Ryan, how’s your swimming? Why don’t you dive in and catch some fish for us?”

Ryan answered in his usual lazy drawl, “Whatever Wild Beauty says, goes.”

“Then you have to send Ryan into the water.” Nora’s eyes lit up. “Whitney, make him do it. I want to see those abs!”

Whitney glanced at Ryan’s stomach. “Him? He’s built like a string bean. Where exactly

Chapter 43 Feel My Abs

are these abs supposed to come from?”

The guy

looks like he’d collapse doing a single push–up. No way he’s ever set foot in a gym, she thought

Nora’s face fell, the sparkle in her eyes fizzling out completely.

Suddenly, Ryan stopped walking With his hand still holding hers, Whitney had no choice but to stop too, turning her head to look at him.

The moment she did, Ryan leaned in and murmured against her ear, his voice low and hypnotic. “Am I really that skinny? No abs, you say? Why don’t you find out for yourself?”

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