Where Petals of Vengeance Bloom novel Chapter 324

Normand chuckled, scratching his head as he explained, “Hey, remember when you promised you’d be my girlfriend for $10,000 a day? Well, here’s $100,000—how about you be my girlfriend for ten days? What do you say?”

A faint, mischievous smile flickered at the corners of Mandy’s lips, her eyes dancing with amusement. For the first time, she found Normand’s awkwardness almost endearing.

She stepped right up to him, grabbed him by the collar, and yanked him down so their eyes met.

Normand’s heart skipped a beat at her sudden move. His face flushed crimson, the blush spreading all the way to his ears.

“M-Mandy, what are you doing?” he stammered, his mind running wild with possibilities. Was she about to kiss him? Oh God—he wasn’t ready for that! But then again, if Mandy wanted to… Well, bring it on.

He closed his eyes, puckered up, and waited, nervous and giddy with anticipation.

Mandy tried not to laugh at how utterly clueless he looked. “If you still need a girlfriend after these ten days,” she said, “as long as the money’s right, I’m always available.”

With that, she released his collar and pushed him away.

Normand’s daydream crashed and burned, leaving him feeling hollow inside. He looked at Mandy with puppy-dog eyes, as if he’d just been wronged.

He’d forked over a hundred grand to have her as his girlfriend for ten days—couldn’t she at least give him a kiss?

Just then, the others started arriving at the finish line.

Normand spotted his longtime rival and let a mocking smirk curl onto his lips. He raised his eyebrows and taunted, “Looks like you lost.”

The man sneered and shoved Scarlet toward Normand. “She’s yours.”

Scarlet stumbled and landed awkwardly in Normand’s arms.

He recoiled like he’d just touched something filthy, shoving Scarlet away. “Why are you giving her to me? I never said I wanted her.”

The man shot back, “We had a deal, remember? If I lost, Scarlet goes back to you; if you lost, your girl comes to me.”

He then let his gaze linger shamelessly over Mandy, whistling in a sleazy way. “Hey gorgeous, what’s your name?”

“Didn’t you?”

“Not a chance! I wanted to show you just how amazing my girlfriend is. Don’t flatter yourself.”

Scarlet went red, then pale, biting her lip as tears spilled down her cheeks. “Hans, did you hear that? He’s being so mean to me.”

Hans clicked his tongue and glared at Normand. “Mr. Lewis, that’s out of line. We had a deal—if I lost, Scarlet’s yours. If you refuse her, you’re making me look bad.”

“I never said I wanted her. Give me a break. We’re leaving.”

Normand had no patience for more nonsense. He grabbed Mandy and the other two friends, ready to go.

Hans narrowed his eyes. “Who said you could leave?”

Normand shot back, “Since when do I need your permission?”