Chapter 338: French Kiss for One Minute
Quentin Blackwood had brought Ivy Sherwood to the party and made her status clear, but many people still looked down on her deep down.
Even though a man like Quentin Blackwood had never been seen with a woman before, they didn’t think Ivy could last long with him.
They all knew what kind of people were in their circle. Which of them didn’t have a few women on the side? To them, Quentin Blackwood’s interest in this Ivy girl was surely just a fleeting novelty. He was just playing around.
Many cast disdainful glances her way. She was just a plaything, yet this Ivy Sherwood acted like she was someone important. She’d even disregarded Joy Sheridan and started cursing at people moments ago.
The clubhouse here was even more opulent than the one in Lustre, and the variety of games available was staggering.
Quite a few people had shown up for the party tonight. Over in one corner, a group was playing pool.
Joy Sheridan nudged the woman beside her—the very one Ivy Sherwood had just yelled at. Her name was Jenna Kent.
"I remember you’re great at pool, aren’t you? You’re even a student of the billiards master, Hugh Carter. Go on, put Ivy Sherwood in her place."
"My skills are on another level. Wouldn’t it be bullying to play against that country bumpkin?"
There weren’t many women who were good at pool, especially not at her level. Jenna Kent always took the opportunity to show off her skills, making all the men look at her with newfound respect.
"I said go, so just go! Teach her a good lesson for me. Make that country bumpkin show her true colors. She’s a good-for-nothing who doesn’t belong in polite company. We have to make her understand her place and see the difference between her and us!"
"Fine, I’ll go give it a shot."
Jenna Kent walked up to Ivy Sherwood. "Ivy, since you’re here, don’t just cling to Quentin’s side like you can’t be shaken off. Why don’t you come and play with us?"
Quentin Blackwood glanced at Jenna Kent, his eyes holding a clear warning. Jenna’s heart lurched, but she forced herself to stay calm and ignore him.
"What’s the matter? We’re not going to hurt you. Or are you scared?"
Ivy Sherwood stood up. "Alright, let’s play then."
She walked toward Jenna Kent. "So, what are we playing?"
"They’re playing pool over there. You should join us. But... do you even know how to play pool?"
Ivy Sherwood wasn’t sure how to answer. Quentin Blackwood had taught her before, but she rarely played.
"I know a little."
"Good. Since we’re playing, it’ll be more fun with a wager. How about this: whoever loses has to French kiss another man for a full minute. Anyone is fair game, except for President Blackwood, of course. What do you say?" Jenna Kent proposed.
Ivy Sherwood didn’t answer. Jenna Kent pressed on, "Don’t tell me you can’t handle the stakes?"
"Who am I playing against?" Ivy asked.
Jenna Kent said proudly, "Me."
At that, someone nearby chimed in, "Jenna, we all know your skill level. None of us can beat you. Your teacher is a billiards master! Isn’t this a bit unfair?"
"Exactly. And you know she’s with Quentin. Making her French kiss someone else is just mean."
Jenna Kent ignored them. "So? Getting cold feet?"
"I’m fine with it," Ivy said.
Jenna Kent had to admire Ivy Sherwood’s audacity. Everyone had just told Ivy how good she was, yet she still dared to compete. ’Was she asking for it?’
Jenna Kent immediately declared, "Then it’s a deal. If the loser backs out of the bet, may they walk outside and get hit by a car."
Ivy Sherwood picked up a pool cue and took a few practice strokes. Seeing this, Jenna Kent nearly died laughing. ’She doesn’t even know how to hold a cue, and she’s trying to play pool.’
’This game is in the bag.’
Ivy’s phone gave a soft buzz, as if a new message had arrived. Feeling the vibration, she picked it up to look.
It was from Quentin Blackwood: "She’s a direct student of a billiards master, so her skill level is pretty high. But I’m the one who taught you. Try not to lose too spectacularly."
Ivy replied: "I’ll play my best. If I make you proud, what’s my reward?"
"What kind of reward do you want?"
Ivy’s fingers tapped on the screen. "Haven’t decided yet. You can owe me."
"Ivy, what are you doing? Did you even hear what I just said?!" Jenna Kent strode over, reaching to snatch Ivy’s phone. Ivy pulled her hand back in a flash, and Jenna grabbed at nothing but air.
"Let’s do this." Ivy put her phone away, her expression turning serious.
"I don’t want to make it too unfair, so why don’t you break first."
Ivy picked up her cue and broke casually. Watching her, Jenna thought, ’She’s a total amateur. What kind of break was that?’
Soon it was Jenna Kent’s turn. She started by showing off, sinking a few impressive shots. The onlookers gasped in admiration. As expected of the master’s student—she could even make shots that difficult.
When it came to the best pool player in the room, it was definitely Quentin Blackwood, with Jenna Kent a close second.
This Ivy Sherwood was sure to lose. The others were all just there to watch the drama and see her make a fool of herself. They knew Jenna Kent was good friends with Joy Sheridan and was deliberately trying to humiliate Ivy.
If Ivy lost and had to French kiss another man for a minute, the scene would be absolutely sensational.
Off to the side, Joy Sheridan smirked. Ivy had agreed to this herself. If she lost and then refused to pay up, everyone would despise her.
Jenna Kent was holding back. She didn’t end her turn too quickly, wanting to give Ivy more opportunities to embarrass herself.
Ivy glanced at her. "My turn already?"
"What’s that supposed to mean?" Jenna snapped, annoyed. ’Is she mocking me for being quick?’
Ivy took her cue, surveyed the balls on the table, and began lining up her shots. One ball went in... then another...
Everyone else murmured in surprise. ’Ivy’s luck is incredible. Did she really sink those so casually?’
Then, Ivy made a small error and missed a shot. Jenna Kent let out a sigh of relief. ’So that’s all she’s got.’
However, when it was Jenna’s turn, she realized that while Ivy hadn’t sunk many balls, she had left her own balls perfectly positioned to block all of Jenna’s shots. There was no way for her to show off her skills.
As a result, she had to stop after sinking just two balls. ’It must be a coincidence,’ she thought. ’Ivy’s playing is mediocre at best. How could she possibly know how to play defensively?’
After two turns each, Jenna only had two balls left on the table, while Ivy still had several.
But Ivy’s remaining balls had Jenna’s completely trapped. In contrast, her own shots were now wide open.
It was Ivy’s turn. She said only one thing: "Sorry about this."
Then she quickly sank all of her remaining balls, leaving only the black 8-ball.
The 8-ball dropped into the pocket. Ivy had won.
No one had expected this outcome. Jenna Kent, actually losing a game of pool?
Ivy put down her cue. "Go on, pick someone to French kiss for a minute. That was the bet you proposed."
Jenna Kent’s expression was grim. She never imagined she would lose. Her initial goal was to make Ivy lose face.
"French kiss! French kiss!" the crowd started chanting. Jenna had not only disgraced her title as a student of the billiards master, but now she had to French kiss a man, completely humiliating herself as the precious daughter of a wealthy family.
Ivy looked at her, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Don’t tell me you can’t handle the stakes. Wasn’t it you who just said that whoever backs out of the bet should get hit by a car?"