"Anna, why did you choose this spot?" Rachel asked, puzzled, as they sat down. "Didn't we just pass an empty spot earlier?"
She had assumed they were both aiming for the same nearby space, following the principle of convenience.
Anna spoke in a tone just loud enough for the two of them to hear, "It doesn't really matter where we sit, but why not sit next to a handsome guy?"
"Plus, it might help avoid unwanted advances."
She'd already had a few people come up to her asking for her contact information.
"Huh?" Rachel didn't quite get the second part of her comment. "How do you figure that?"
Anna explained slowly, "If you go ask someone for their contact info, but notice someone nearby who looks way better than you, would you still have the confidence to approach them?"
Rachel's eyes widened in realization, "For someone as shy as me, definitely not."
She couldn't help but give Anna a thumbs-up. "You're subtly using others to your advantage."
Anna didn't think much of it, "It's mutual, you know. I'm lying here and helping him avoid some attention too."
Of course, if the guy turned out to be a jerk, that would be a different story.
"Fair enough." Rachel glanced toward the silver-haired man to their right. "He definitely looks like he attracts a lot of women."
"Even his sunglasses can't hide his superior bone structure, that sharp jawline."
"Yeah." Anna didn't want to discuss it further, not wanting to make things awkward if he overheard.
Luckily, Rachel didn't press the topic and instead asked, "Anna, how does the view here compare to the beaches you've been to before?"
"They all have their own beauty." Anna leaned back in her beach chair and adjusted her skirt, which had been blown up by the wind. "The only thing that's a bit disappointing is that I couldn't book the beachfront villa I wanted."
She had found a resort online that seemed to tick all her boxes, but when she went to make a reservation, she discovered it was fully booked. She had no choice but to settle for a second-choice option.
Just a meter away, Chase and Ryan were within earshot and heard their conversation clearly.
Ryan sat up in his chair and asked, "Sorry to interrupt, but which hotel were you looking at?"
Not wanting Anna to think he was trying anything shady, he quickly added, "It's fine if you don't want to say. I'm just curious."
Anna didn't mind. After all, she wasn't staying there, so it wasn't exactly private information.
"The Platinum Resort Villa," she answered.
Upon hearing this, Chase raised his eyebrows slightly under his sunglasses.
"That place, huh…" Ryan's face lit up with a knowing smile. "A particularly amazing racing team won a big race a few days ago and came here to relax. They stayed at that resort, which is why all the rooms were booked."
Rachel, intrigued, asked, "How do you know so much about it?"
Ryan cleared his throat and explained slowly, "Because I'm one of the drivers on that team."
Both Anna and Rachel were surprised by this revelation.
Rachel: "How many people are on your team? Did you really fill up all the rooms?"
Ryan: "There were only four of us drivers on vacation."
Anna guessed, "So, you guys booked the entire hotel?"
"Something like that." Ryan glanced at the silent man next to him. "He's actually the owner of the Platinum Resort Villa, and—"
He paused for effect, "He also won the WRC rally championship last month. He's the youngest champion in WRC history."
From the pride and boastfulness in Ryan's tone, Anna could tell this was a major achievement, one that not many people could pull off.
Having participated in ballet competitions since she was young, she understood that the effort and struggle to succeed in any field were immense, even if racing was a completely different realm. Success didn't come easily; it took hard work, perseverance, and dedication.
Anna genuinely complimented him, "That's really impressive."
Hearing her praise, Chase's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile. "It is impressive."
His response was so blunt and confident that it caught Anna off guard for a moment.
"Sir," Anna suddenly called out to him.
The unfamiliar title made Chase take a moment to realize she was addressing him. After a two-second delay, he finally responded, "What's up?"
Anna looked directly at him. "Is there any availability at your hotel?"
There were certainly rooms available, but whether or not he would open them up to the public was another matter.
"There are," Chase said, taking off his sunglasses and meeting her gaze. "Would you like to stay?"
His sharply defined features were fully exposed to Anna, and she couldn't help but marvel at how handsome he was. His strong brow, high nose, and chiseled jawline looked almost like a work of art. The silver hair only added to his striking appearance, giving him an air of rebellious charisma. His whole presence exuded a "don't mess with me" vibe, yet at the same time, it was easy to be drawn in.
"I do." Anna's eyes locked with his, and she asked, "Boss, would you be willing to do me a favor?"
Chase lazily raised an eyebrow. "What do I get in return?"
"You'll make money," Anna replied quickly. "You can set the price however you like."
She was incredibly picky, especially when it came to her lifestyle. It might have been because her parents had always provided her with everything, both materialistically and emotionally. They never allowed her to settle for anything less than perfect.
So, not being able to stay at the villa she had set her heart on made her feel like this trip was incomplete.
Chase chuckled, "So, you're bribing me with money?"
It was rare for someone to try to use money on him. Did she think he was someone who was short on cash?
"Do you think it will work?"
"I think it will."
In less than three seconds, Chase changed his mind.
His swift and decisive agreement surprised Anna.
"Thanks, boss," she said, her smile widening. "Can I check in tonight?"
Chase nodded. "Sure, I'll let the front desk know."
Ryan, who had been sitting silently, was now stunned. When had Chase become so accommodating?
Usually, it was Chase who was the one using money to get his way, not the other way around.
Something wasn't right. This was... too strange.