Chapter 224

Chapter 224:

“Well, since the party is underway, why don’t we spice things up with a bit of fun? Are you game for a challenge among men?” Hayes proposed.

Intrigued by the suggestion, Ashton saw it as a good way to pass the time. He smiled and nodded in agreement. Satisfied with Ashton’s response, Hayes quickly had a square table set up for their challenge.

Instantly, Ashton realized what was happening. The “men’s challenge” was just an arm-wrestling match. He felt slightly disappointed. “Is arm wrestling really your idea of a men’s challenge?”

Hayes responded with a smug smile, “Absolutely! A man must demonstrate his strength. Are you afraid to compete against me?”

In truth, he had planned this carefully. If Ashton declined, Hayes could mock him as a coward. This would certainly lower Rosalie’s opinion of him. But if Ashton agreed, it would give Hayes a chance to demonstrate his strength in front of Rosalie. He believed that despite Ashton’s solid build, he could not match his own strength.

Filled with confidence, Hayes was sure he would easily defeat Ashton.

Ashton quickly assessed Hayes’ confident demeanor and saw through his true intentions. At that moment, Rosalie was engaged in conversation with old classmates nearby. The person Ashton had hoped to meet, Jacoby, was conspicuously absent from the yacht.

Ashton began to suspect that Hayes’ earlier boasting had misled him once again. With a hint of irritation, he agreed to Hayes’ challenge, determined to prove his point. The two men positioned themselves across from each other at the square table, ready to begin.

Hayes extended his hand to shake Ashton’s. After feeling Ashton’s grip, and based on his arm-wrestling experience, Hayes judged that Ashton’s strength was only about sixty to seventy percent of his own. Brimming with confidence, Hayes casually directed the spectators to begin the countdown.

Meanwhile, Rosalie, as she chatted with her former classmates, glanced over and noticed Hayes and Ashton preparing for their arm-wrestling match. A soft laugh escaped her lips, knowing Ashton’s impressive skills. It appeared Hayes had underestimated Ashton, perhaps believing his seemingly harmless appearance.

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Hayes, discreetly watching Rosalie, noticed her brief glance in his direction and the subtle smile on her face. He was ecstatic that someone as beautiful as her was smiling at him. His heart raced, and he felt as if he were floating in heaven.

In that moment, Hayes became briefly distracted, and the countdown continued. As the final number was reached, Hayes felt a strong force pressing against his wrist. The force jolted him back to reality, and he realized the match had already begun.

In arm-wrestling, victories and losses are determined in mere moments. Any distraction could result in immediate defeat. Despite Hayes’ confidence in his strength, it was too late for him to recover.

As the countdown ended, Ashton slammed Hayes’ hand onto the table with ease.

Ashton appeared somewhat disappointed as he teasingly remarked, “Is that all you’ve got? I took this seriously and hadn’t even used my full strength. Winning this easily is quite boring.” The spectators, who had gathered expecting to tease Ashton when he lost, were taken aback as Hayes was defeated in less than a second.

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