The Mocked Miss’s Hidden Crowns novel Chapter 1770

As soon as he finished speaking, the sudden crack of an air gun echoed from downstairs.

Everyone turned at once, eyes snapping to the source of the noise. Anthony stood there holding the air gun, a faint coil of smoke trailing from the muzzle. Across from him, the bullseye on the target had a clean hole punched straight through it.

Donald, who had been lounging in his chair, ready to collect his winnings, shot to his feet like he'd been electrocuted. He rushed over to the target, bent down to inspect it more closely, then stared at Anthony, completely stunned. “Nailing a moving target is one thing, but you actually shot right through it?”

“Anthony, you’ve really been hiding your skills!”

“You flatter me, Donald.” Anthony smiled just enough to be polite as he handed the air gun to Roger. His tone was cool, controlled. “Roger, if you could move out of the way.”

Roger didn’t say a word. He just shuffled to the side, not even pretending to smile.

“Unbelievable,” Kenneth muttered from upstairs. He hadn’t gotten even a sliver of advantage. Watching Lottie beam only made him more frustrated. He cut his eyes over to Stella. “Stella, who’s manning the third challenge?”

Stella blinked in confusion, searching her memory before answering quietly, “Andrew and Shirley.”

“That’s a lost cause.” Kenneth dropped into a chair, arms crossed tight over his chest. His face looked like someone had just told him his life was over. “Those two couldn’t stop a puppy.”

The third wedding challenge.

Anthony strolled down the corridor, bouquet in hand, and stopped at the entrance to the suite.

Just past there was Charlotte’s bedroom.

He found Andrew and Shirley stationed at the door, their faces cycling from pleased with themselves, to nervous, and back again. Anthony looked up at them, his voice deep and steady. “Are you blocking my way?”

“Yeah,” Andrew said. Shirley nodded, eyes wide.

Anthony barely cracked a smile as he ticked off the answers to the first four questions, confidence in every word. But when he reached the last one, he paused, looking for just a moment like maybe he didn’t know.

There it was. Kenneth’s little trap worked better than anyone expected. This was the question that might actually stump him.

“Anthony, want me to sneak over and ask Charlotte?” Hans leaned in, clearly worried. This wasn’t a fair test at all.

“Don’t even think about it, I can hear everything.” Kenneth’s triumphant voice rang out through the mic system. “Stuck on the answer? You know the rules. Just transfer the cash.”

He’d known Anthony too well, and set the perfect trap.

“What kind of ridiculous question is that?” Charlotte cut in, glaring daggers at Kenneth as soon as she heard about the ankle size. Her tone left no room for argument.