chapter 058 The Hot Spring Resort

"Eric finally came out ofEmerging from his house.

He noticed thathumble abode, Eric's eyes were immediately drawn to Tina. Today, she was wearingdonned in a white lace off-shoulder gown today, and her temperament was even higher, her aura more radiant than usual.

""Eric, I didn't expect the environment here to be so bad. The house is so run-down. I've been in New York for so many years, and I had no idea that New York still has suchever before. "Eric," she began, her eyes scanning the dilapidated surroundings, "I never imagined the conditions here to be so dire. I've lived in New York for years, yet I had no idea such run-down places,"" Tina said.

"" still existed."Eric shrugged, a wry smile on his face. "Well, you've never been to this kind of slumventured into the slums before,"" Eric shrugged.

He could tell." It was clear to him that sheTina was usedaccustomed to a good life and had never experienced the lifeof luxury, unfamiliar with the struggles of the poor.

""less fortunate.Tina's gaze fell upon the rundown houses. "Have you always lived here? I really doubt ifcan hardly believe people can livesurvive in such a rundown house,"" Tina said, looking at these houses.

""conditions."Eric chuckled lightly. "How can we compare to you?"" Eric said with a laugh.

""Alright, get?" "Enough of this. Get in the car!""," Tina openedcommanded, swinging open the door.

""Wow, this car is quite beautiful."" Eric glanced at of her vehicle.Eric's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the sleek Ferrari.

"" "Impressive car."Tina beamed at his comment. "Of course! This car costsbeauty cost over two million dollars. Do you like it?"" Tina said with a smile.

""It's just average. There's still a big gap ?"Eric shrugged nonchalantly. "It's alright. Still falls short when compared to my car,"" Eric casually replied.

""."Tina's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Your car? What car do you have?"" Tina seemed surprised.

In Tina's eyes, Eric lived in a shabby house in the slums. His family must be poor. How own?" Given Eric's living conditions, she found it hard to believe he could he even afford a car?

""It's right over there."" .Eric pointed towards a spot not too far away.

"It's right over there."Following his gaze, Tina followed Eric's finger and sawspotted a yellow bicycle.

Upon seeing the bicycle, Tina couldn't help but She burst into laughter, covering her mouth.

""You're talking about that with her hand. "You're referring to that bicycle? You're quite the comedian," she managed to say between fits of laughter.Eric merely shrugged, not bothering to correct her misconception. He wasn't referring to the bicycle? I find you really funny,"" Tina laughed.

""Feel free to laugh as much as you want."" Eric wasn't talking about the bicycle. He was rather pointing at, but the Lamborghini Diablo parked on the other sidejust out of sight around the corner.

It's just that a wall obstructed the view from here.

Eric couldn't be bothered explaining further.

"" "Alright, get in the car. Today, I'll let you experience what it feels like to ride in a sports car,""," Tina said and then went straight todeclared, sliding into the driver's seat.

Eric also went tofollowed suit, settling into the passenger side, opened the door, and got in.

seat. With the roaring of the enginea roar, the Ferrari sped away.

off, leaving the slums behind.Their destination was the Moon Hot Spring Resort

This hot spring resort was located, a top-tier establishment nestled at the foot of Monn Mount, with . The resort was built around a natural hot spring that, and it was developed into the top-tier resortepitome of luxury in New York at a huge cost!

This was the gathering spot that .Tina mentioned.

Tina parked the car inpulled into the parking lot.

Inside the parking lot, there were, filled with an array of luxury vehicles - BMWs, Maseratis, Porsches, Mercedes, and other luxury cars, indicatinga testament to the wealth of the patrons. Eric, however, couldn't help but notice that many wealthy people came here today.

After scanning his surroundings, Eric noticed thatnone of these cars were not as expensive asheld a candle to his Lamborghini Diablo.

""Why does that His gaze fell on a familiar Porsche Cayenne. "Why does that car look so familiar?""

Eric's gaze fell?" He mused aloud. A moment later, realization dawned on a nearby Porsche Cayenne.

Immediately, Eric slapped his forehead, remembering.

""Oh right, that day when I helped Aurora pretend to have a boyfriend, inhim. "Ah, that's the underground parking lot,car I almost crashed into his Porsche Cayenne. It's the same car!""

""when I think his name iswas pretending to be Aurora's boyfriend! It belongs to Michael. Could, doesn't it be that he's also at the resort?"" ?"Eric wondered aloud.

Michael was the one who wantedrecalled Michael's failed attempts to woo Aurora, but in the end,and how he washimself had driven the man away by Eric.

Then, Eric. He shook his head and didn't think about it any further.

At this moment, , pushing the thoughts aside.Tina, sitting in the driver's seat, turned to Eric, her head to look at Eric in the passenger seat, and said, ""eyes serious. "Eric, behave yourself today. If you do well, I'll give you a bonus that's enough for you to buy a small new apartment.""

""."Eric grinned in response. "Behave myself? Alright!"" Eric grinned.

""Okay, let's get out of!"As they exited the car,"" Tina said as she opened the car door.

After getting out of the car,, they were greeted by Royce, who had confessed his love to Tina atjust the school gate yesterday, was already standing beside them.

""day before. "Tina, you've finally arrived. I've been waiting here for you for almost half an hour,"" said Royce, smiling as he greeted them.

""," he said, his smile not quite reaching his eyes."I went to pick up my boyfriend, so I arrived a bit late,""," Tina explained.

After hearing her words, Royce's face immediately darkened as he lookedsmile faltered at her words, his gaze shifting to Eric.

"" "It's you again!"" Royce stared at Eric with!" He spat out, hostility evident in his eyes.

""What's the problem?"" Eric said with a smile.

As Eric spoke, he walked over to Tina andmerely smiled in response, casually putdraping his arm around her.

Tina couldn't believe that Eric would dare to take advantage of her situation. NoTina. She was taken aback by his audacity - no one had ever dared to do thattake such liberties with her before.

Normally Under normal circumstances, she would have made sure to punish Eric severely for his insolence. But doing something like this.

But if she were to get angry at Ericso now, it would expose their fake relationshipruse, wouldn't it?

At this thought, Tina could only hold back her anger andThe thought alone was enough to make Tina's blood boil, but she managed to swallow thisthe bitter pill of humiliation.

""You dare to embrace Tina!"" Royce fumed, his eyes shooting fire.

"", keeping her anger in check.Royce's voice thundered through the room, his eyes ablaze with fury. "How dare you lay a hand on Tina!" he roared.Eric, however, merely smiled, his demeanor as calm as ever. "She's my girlfriend. Why shouldn't I embrace her?"" Eric said with a smile.

Tina also chimed in, ""Yeahhold her?" he retorted.Tina, not one to be left out, added her own voice to the mix. "Exactly, it's only natural for him to embracehold me. It's none of your business.""

AlthoughYour opinion is not required here."Beneath her seemingly indifferent exterior, Tina was angry at Eric for hugging her,seething. Eric's audacity to hold her in public was infuriating, but she had to pretend to be indifferent.

""Remember thismaintain her composure."Mark my words, you will pay for this!""!" Royce angrily declared.

After saying this, Royce turned around, his voice shaking with rage.With that, he spun on his heel and left in a fit of annoyance.

Seeing Royce stormstormed off, his departure as dramatic as his outrage.Tina couldn't help but coverwatched him go, a hand flying to her mouth andto stifle a laugh.

Then Once he was out of sight, she turned her head and glared fiercely atto Eric.

"", her eyes flashing dangerously."Now that he's gone, why are you still huggingholding me? Let go!"" Tina said, pushing!" she demanded, shoving Eric away.

TinaShe had never been hugged like this by any man before. She never even dreamed that she would be huggedheld so intimately by a man before, let alone by a man who was pretending to be her fake boyfriend.

"""Why so fierce? Weren't you just telling me to act properly in the car? I was just following your lead,""?" Eric defended himself.

""You..."" , a hint of amusement in his voice. "Weren't you the one who told me to act the part in the car? I was merely following your instructions."Tina was momentarily at a lossspeechless, her mind scrambling for words, unable to come up with a proper retort.

"""By the way, you smell nice,""," Eric said with aadded, his smile.

"" widening at her flustered state."You... you jerk!""

!" Tina angrily kicked retorted, her foot connecting with Eric's leg.

"" in a swift kick."Alright, keep kicking me. Then there won't be anyoneyou'll have no one left to pretend to beplay the part of your boyfriend,""," Eric saidresponded, his smile tinged with a wry smile.

""hint of sarcasm."If it weren't for that, I would have torn you apart a long time ago!"" Tina angrily exclaimed.

""by now!" Tina shot back, her voice laced with anger."Follow me,"" Tina said, and then walked forward.

Led by Tina, the two of them arrived on," she commanded, leading the way.They made their way to the second floor of the resort restaurant, stopping outside a luxurious private room.

Instead of entering the room directly, Tina turned to look atface Eric.

"""Eric, the people inside are all richwealthy, especially the host of tonight's banquet. He has a lot of influence. You mustHe's influential. Do not offend him, or. I won't be able to help you.""

Tina looked serious.

"" if you do," she warned, her expression grave."Oh? Who isWho's the host of the banquet?? How does he compare tostack up against Royce?""?" Eric asked with a, his curiosity piqued.Tina couldn't help but smile.

Tina smiled and replied, "" at his question. "Royce? Royce isHe's nothing compared to the host here.""

""."Eric's interest was clearly piqued. "Oh? So tell me, who exactly is he?"" Eric asked curiously.

""?""His name is Fred. His father is a local tycoon in New York butwho has expanded his business to Houston. Their totalcombined assets are worth at least 2 billion dollars. In our circle of wealthy individuals in New York, hardly anyone can surpass Fred,""," Tina explained.

"""Fred?""?" Eric murmured.

""echoed, the name rolling off his tongue."Yes, even this hot spring resort was built by his family. It is saidRumor has it that his father plans to hand over the resort to Fred for enhancingto hone his business abilities,""skills," Tina added.

""Alright, it's useless to"Enough talk about it now.. Let's go inside,""," Tina said, preparing to pushreaching for the door open.

""I'llhandle."I need to use the restroom first. You go . Go ahead,"" without me," Eric said.

""replied."Oh, come on! Fine, hurryfor heaven's sake! Hurry up!""!" Tina waved her handhim off dismissively.

FollowingWith that, Tinashe pushed open the door to the private room and walked in.

Inside the room, stepped inside.The room was already filled with more than tena dozen young men and women had already gathered. They were, all dressed in designer brands, their appearance polished and adorned with valuableexpensive watches and jewelry.

Royce was there as well.

Sitting atamong them.At the prominent seat washead of the table sat a man with a crew cut, the so-calledinfamous Fred, as that Tina had mentioned by Tina earlier.

AfterAs Tina entered the room, everyone's gaze shifted toward, all eyes turned to her.

"""Tina, you finally made it. Take a seat,""," Fred leanedsaid, leaning back onin his chair, exuding with an air of confidence.

"""I was picking up my boyfriend, that's why I'm a little late,""hence the delay," Tina said with areplied, her smile.

"" not quite reaching her eyes."Boyfriend? Hasn'tBut hasn't Royce been pursuing you all this time?? Do you have another boyfriend now? And I don't see anyone with you,""where is he?" Fred questioned with asked, his confusion. " evident.