CHAPTER 116
Xander walked to the opposite end of the pool table from Arianna, the table itself serving as the only barrier between them. His dark eyes met hers with a lazy, inscrutable gaze.
Zach looked between Xander and Arianna, his lips curling into a mischievous grin.
“Just a heads-up, my buddy Xander here has never lost a game. If I were you, I’d consider surrendering, doing a striptease for him, and calling it a night.”
If it weren't for her current predicament, Arianna would have wanted nothing more than to throw a burlap sack over Zach's head and give him a thorough beating!
What a blabbermouth!
As harsh as those words were, Arianna unfortunately had to acknowledge that Zach was merely stating the facts.
Xander was the one who had once held Arianna by the hand and taught her how to play. As the King's heir, he not only had knowledge about many things but was also proficient in each one of them!
Take pool as an example—he played against a world champion at the age of 16 and won!
Arianna might have stood a chance against Zach with a bit of luck, but against Xander, there was no way she could win unless he let her!
Caught between a rock and a hard place, she would have to do a striptease if she conceded defeat. Xander would definitely recognize her if that happened, and there was a chance her life would be in serious danger.
Therefore, she had to create her own chances even if there were none!
Arianna smiled, “Losing without a fight would be disrespectful to the game and my opponent. Shall we, Mr. King?”
“So heroic!” Zach’s tone became more and more teasing. “Alright, let’s start the game then.”
Arianna feigned coyness and blinked a couple of times before asking softly,
“Can the lady go first?”
If she started first, all she had to do was pot five balls in a row. That would prevent Xander from having a shot, thus securing victory for her!
Xander’s handsome face seemed to have a half-smile, as if he could see through her thoughts. He nevertheless did not refuse and merely nodded slightly.
Arianna took two deep breaths and gave herself a little pep talk. She then walked to the pool table, bent down, and struck a pose. She used the cue to hit the white ball as hard as she could, causing the other balls to scatter in all directions.
Arianna didn't rush into the game. Instead, she carefully studied the layout of the balls on the table. After selecting the five balls she aimed to pot, she began her play.
The first ball smoothly rolled into the pocket.
Zach touched his chin and commented,
“Mm, that’s a good opener. Go on, Beautiful! Good luck!”
Xander sat on a nearby one-seater sofa, crossing his slender legs elegantly. His fingertips tapped gently on his knees, and his handsome face remained as indifferent as ice.
Arianna moved to the other side of the table, bent down, and aimed for her next shot.
The second ball went into the pocket.
Arianna found her rhythm, smoothly potting the third and fourth balls as well.
“Oh.” Zach's excitement was becoming evident in his high-pitched voice.
“This pretty lady has got some serious skills. Four balls in a row! The game is hers if she pots one more.”
He glanced at Xander, who remained impassive, and teased, “What do you think, Xan? Could your winning streak finally come to an end today? Are you going to lose to this beautiful woman?”
The corners of Xander's lips twitched, but he still did not speak.
The other onlookers buzzed with excitement, debating whether the dainty woman could pot one more ball and secure a victory over Xander.
Even Felix started a betting pool, offering odds of one-to-a-hundred if Arianna won and one-to-one if Xander won.
Arianna couldn’t hide her irritation when she heard those odds.
Was it because victory seemed so close? Regardless, the disparity between her odds and Xander was glaring.
Were they serious when they said the odds of her winning were one to a hundred?
Arianna was down to her last ball and knew she couldn't afford to take it lightly. She focused her attention, analyzing the table.
The previous four balls had traveled in straight lines, making them relatively easy shots. Now, the remaining balls were in more challenging positions.
She studied the table for a moment before deciding on her target.
This particular ball was obstructed, requiring a slight curve shot to pocket it.
Arianna stretched her arms, trying several stances before finding the most suitable one. She bent down again, readying herself for the crucial shot.
Arianna turned her face to one side, exhaled, then faced forward again. With a decisive thrust of her arm, the cue struck the white ball.
Everyone's eyes were glued to the ball, and the room held its collective breath, watching its trajectory.
The white ball hit her chosen target and sent it sliding toward the far-left pocket. It skillfully maneuvered around the obstacle and seemed destined to fall in.
But it stopped just short, right in front of the pocket.
Arianna felt a surge of irritation. It was so close! Just a bit more, and she would have won!
The young men exchanged knowing glances before the room erupted into cheers.
"Too bad you missed!"
Their voices lacked any sympathy as they chanted,
"Strip! Strip!"
Having watched her earlier pole dancing performance, they were eager for another glimpse of her smoking hot figure, slender waist, and fair skin.
Zach turned to Arianna and grinned,
"One miss, one piece of clothing off. Let me choose for you. Should it be the mask or your clothes?"
Arianna bit her lower lip nervously.
Having lost the game, there was no backing out of the bet for Arianna. Unable to remove her mask, the only option left was to take off her clothes.
She remained silent and promptly removed her coat.
Observing this, Zach sneered and chuckled,
"Still holding onto hope for a miracle comeback? You might survive if he stays out of it, but once he steps in, you won't even get a chance to pot another ball."
He leaned closer with a sly grin, "Why not use your charm to sway him, maybe even plant a kiss? Who knows? He might just go easy on you..."
