If it were Jaxen speaking, it would’ve been much more abusive.
Ashlyn raised an eyebrow, lips twitching in amusement. That was actually polite. No curse words at all. She tilted her head slightly, curious.
“Who was that girl earlier? She’s got to have some serious backing to act so bold.”
After all, people didn’t just strut around like that without something to back them up.
Katelyn and Alfy exchanged a glance before they both shrugged.
“Don’t know. Never seen her before,” Katelyn answered.
The air was thick with the buzz of excitement from the jewelry competition underway. Designers from the most prestigious families had traveled from far and wide, making it all the more likely to miss a face or two among the crowd.
Ashlyn nodded, deciding not to press further. But Katelyn’s attention remained fixed on Ashlyn, her gaze lingering, thoughtful. Unlike the sweeping elegance of evening gowns, Ashlyn’s swimwear left her entire back exposed, her smooth skin catching the light. Katelyn’s eyes traced the line of her back, noting its flawlessness.
Then, a flicker of recognition stirred in Katelyn’s mind, something familiar—yet fleeting.
“Wait, let me tie your straps,” she blurted out. Ashlyn’s swimsuit featured…
Tie-up straps, the perfect excuse for Katelyn to inch closer. She moved toward Ashlyn, searching for any discomfort on Ashlyn’s face.
But Ashlyn remained relaxed, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips.
“Sure, thanks,” she replied, her tone calm and unbothered.
Katelyn returned the smile. She edged closer, fingers brushing lightly against Ashlyn’s bare skin as she tied the bow. There was nothing—no signs of makeup, no subtle traces of prosthetics that would suggest a disguise. The skin was real.
Read it first on g?lno?els.c?m
Katelyn’s heart skipped a beat. Could it really be? Was Ashlyn truly not Sophia?
“Done?” Ashlyn’s voice broke through the moment.
Katelyn let go of the strap.
“Yeah, done.”
“Come on over, Katelyn, Miss Marshall! The water feels just right—so soothing!” Alfy called out.
Katelyn and Ashlyn exchanged glances and smiled before walking over. As they slipped into the hot spring, the hotel manager strode towards them with a tray laden with drinks and snacks. He placed the tray carefully by the poolside, his voice carrying a polite, respectful tone.
“Ladies, these are a special gift from our boss!”
Katelyn’s gaze flickered over to the tray. The wine glimmered in its bottle, a deep, rich hue that suggested its worth—hundreds of thousands of dollars, at least. The desserts were delicate pastries from Lotus Blossom, a five-star restaurant.
It was a generous gift, to be sure, one that spoke volumes about the hotel’s wealth and taste. While the hotel often provided complimentary refreshments, this level of luxury was something entirely different.
Ashlyn, too, seemed to pause, her eyes widening slightly as she recognized the quality of the items before them.
“Our boss is Mr. Adams. Vincent Adams,” the manager explained.
.
.
.