Chapter 168
Chapter 168:
“Bullseye! Perfect bullseye!” Excitement rippled through the club staff as they removed the target, their voices filled with elation. Such a score was rare for an amateur!
The club burst into applause instantly. Alden, maintaining his composure, casually took out a tissue to clean his fingers that had just released the dart.
Rylan, meanwhile, gazed at the target, his expression etched with astonishment. Realization slowly dawned on him, and as it did, his embarrassment swiftly morphed into anger. He gulped down a shot and made to leave abruptly.
“Calling it a night already, Mr. Wilson? Or does losing sting a little too much?” Alden’s steady voice cut through the air, freezing Rylan mid-step.
“I can handle a loss,” Rylan retorted, his laughter cold. “I lost. Just say what you want p>
He assumed that when two businessmen placed a bet, it would be driven purely by profit and nothing more. But what came next was unexpected—
“My request is quite straightforward. This time, you’re the mark p>
Alden instructed a server to fetch an apple and then had it placed atop Rylan’s head.
“Are you serious?” Rylan was dumbfounded by the request and naturally refused to comply.
However, Alden’s stern look prompted the bodyguards to intervene, securing Rylan as they positioned the apple on his head.
Before Rylan could protest, Alden approached Betsey and Helena, dart in hand.
“Ms. Avila, care to take a shot?” Alden asked calmly, offering the dart to Betsey.
Rylan was still struggling, and Betsey stood frozen in disbelief. When she finally snapped out of it, her eyes landed on the dart, and without thinking, she gave a firm shake of her head.
That was Rylan, someone she couldn’t afford to cross!
Any harm to him could spell disaster for her.
When Alden caught the fear draining the color from Betsey’s face, a flicker of contempt sparked in his eyes. Without another glance her way, he turned toward Helena and held out the dart. “I’m curious—do you have the courage to take a shot, Ms. Ellis p>
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Helena caught Betsey’s sideways glance with mild amusement. Not for a moment did Betsey think Helena would actually go through with using Rylan as target practice.
To everyone’s surprise, Helena calmly took the dart, even giving it a slow twirl between her fingers like she was toying with the idea. Despite her graceful appearance, the glint in her eyes sharpened the second she stared at the metal tip, sending a ripple of tension through the air. Panic swept over Rylan the moment he realized she might actually do it.
“M-Ms. Ellis, don’t be reckless…” Rylan stammered, legs trembling as the bodyguards held him in place. Memories of how he’d mistreated Helena in the past came rushing back—and now, with Covey behind her, there’d be no stopping her if she wanted to settle the score.
“What’s got you so shaken, Mr. Wilson? Did something happen between you and Ms. Ellis? She’s not exactly someone with power or sway—just a regular woman. Even if she did hold a grudge, would that really be enough to scare you like this p>
Alden kept his eyes on Rylan, clearly entertained by his reaction, pretending not to understand the real reason behind the unease.
Rylan swallowed hard, his throat tight with nerves as he scrambled for an explanation, saying, “Me and Ms. Ellis? There’s nothing going on there. I just… I just don’t trust where her dart might land, that’s all p>
His eyes locked onto the pointed dart, and a wave of dread washed over him.
“This is too risky. Let’s not do something we’ll regret p>
Without waiting for permission, he attempted to step away.
The bodyguards reacted instantly, dragging him back into place.
Helena, meanwhile, kept a steady grip on the dart. Her earlier flourish was nothing more than a bluff—intended to shake Rylan up. In truth, she had no idea if she could actually hit the mark.
The risk wasn’t lost on her. If she slipped and injured Rylan, she wouldn’t just get herself in trouble—she might put Alden in a vulnerable position inside the Wilson Group.
Helena had no intention of throwing everything away over something so petty. She was just about to return the dart when Covey’s voice interjected, cool and steady, “Mr. Wilson accepted the bet, and Ms. Ellis took the dart. Backing out isn’t an option anymore p>
“What?” Helena stopped cold the second she heard it.
Her eyes widened, the surprise hitting her all at once.
Alden fought back a smirk, the edge of it tugging at his lips, and spoke with his usual calm ease. “Relax. I’ll walk you through it. You won’t miss p>