Winning the Heir Who Bullied Me
Chapter 121
A hand shoots up, and all eyes turn to Bea.
“Yes?” Easton asks.
“How does it work?” she asks, “Are we all going to go on dates with three of them?”
An uncharacteristic smirk pulls on Easton’s lips. “No. We’re leaving it up to fate.”
I frown. What the fuck?
“There will be three random selections. For each one, the Ashford heirs will pick a contestant to go on a date with.”
“But that’s too arbitrary,” Jamie pipes up. “A girl can go on dates with two, maybe all three brothers and some might not go on any dates.”
That unnerving smirk widens. “Precisely, Miss Wallace. Before now, you have all simply been competing to be an Ashford. Now, the dating selection will determine who you’re competing for.” His eyes roam over us. “And, of course, I don’t have to tell you that any girl who doesn’t get picked will have their chances almost entirely diminished. There will be no more eliminations, but your presence in the competition will be simply performative.”
The thrill previously running through me suddenly congeals and settles in my stomach–a big, sludgy ball of panic.
Random selections.
The chances of my going on a date with Nathan are being left entirely up to chance. Nathan could pick three times and never get me.
He could go on three dates with three other contestants, making my presence here merely for show. After the competition, I’ll receive a handshake and be sent on my way.
The smile on Nathan’s face has disappeared. He was also unaware.
“Now, without further ado…” Easton rubs his hands together, looking like an evil butler–well, he is, but that’s beside the point.
A male servant I’m unfamiliar with climbs up on stage, holding a glass box with folded pieces of paper.
My stomach churns. It’s like the reaping in The Hunger Games–but in reverse. I want my name to be called out.
As the servant stops in front of Lucas, the churning in my stomach worsens. Jamie was right–the selection is arbitrary. Arbitrary and chaotic.
Not only could I never be picked by Nathan, but I could end up being picked by Peter–or worse, Lucas. That would put me in the running to be their wives, and I could end up with Nathan as my brother–in–law.
Bile rises in my throat,
Lucas picks out a folded piece of paper, and the servant moves to Nathan and then to Peter.
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Chapter 121
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“Master Lucas.” Easton hows to the eldest brother, gesturing for him to read out the unfortunate girl who has to go on a date with him.
Lucas unfolds his paper, and a smile spreads on his face.
Oh God, please don’t let it be me. Please, please, please.
“Lara Ellington,” Lucas announces, smiling down at her.
Lara barely reacts, but her lips twitch, and I see her eyes dance.
“Of course,” someone next to me mumbles.
My concern for my friend and her impending date with the devil takes a backseat when Easton urges, “Master Nathan,” and I stop breathing.
Nathan unfolds the paper slowly, so slow that I want to rush to the stage and open the damn thing myself. The last time Nathan stood on this stage and called my name, it felt like the worst thing ever. But now, I’d give anything to have him call my name.
When his jaw clenches as his eyes read the name on the paper, my heart sinks. It’s not me.
As if it isn’t bad enough that my chances of winning have been reduced to two out of three, Nathan finally reads out the name on the paper, and I have the urge to drop to the floor, kicking and screaming.
“Valerie St Claire.”
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