?<strong>Chapter 1218:</strong>


    “Do you want to swim ap?” As she drew nearer, and with her body moving in the water, Andrew couldn’t help but look down, taking in her innocent, unguarded expression and the tempting outline of her figure.


    His throat tightened. Madisyn,pletely unaware, tilted her head in confusion.


    “Hmm?”


    “I’ll go change.” Andrew turned quickly and headed for the changing room.


    When he returned to the pool, he saw Madisyn resting her arms on the edge, gazing at him. Her slightly parted lips sent his thoughts wandering, reminding him of the sirens from old legends, who entranced sailors with their songs…


    After Madisyn transferred her assets to Lilian, thetter had maintained an iron grip on the top position in the NCI rankings. With the simtion’s conclusion merely two weeks away, the whispers in every corner dered Lilian the undisputed champion of this season.


    Aboard a magnificent cruise ship, Lilian found herself at the heart of an opulent high-society banquet, where crystal chandeliers cast their ethereal glow across the gathering.


    Under the shimmering lights, shemanded attention like a queen holding court. She was nked by her vignt bodyguards, apanied by a striking young man whose delicate features drew admiring nces. Her presence caused quite a stir — her reputation for extravagance preceding her like a herald.


    “Miss Perkins, what a pleasure! Is this charming gentleman yourtestpanion?” A voice rang out from the crowd.


    “Quite the catch, wouldn’t you say?” Lilian’s voice dripped with satisfaction as she basked in her recent triumphs.


    “Come now, darling, do greet everyone.” She cast a meaningful nce at the young man beside her. Unable to refuse, the young man offered a swift greeting.


    “Hello, everyone.”


    As he dipped his head in a modest bow, his shirt cor shifted ever so slightly, revealing a telling crimson mark adorning his neck.


    The assembled guests exchanged knowing smirks and raised eyebrows.


    “My, my, Miss Perkins, fortune certainly favors you. This one appears to possess such… agreeable temperament.”


    Lilian merely arched an eyebrow, her silence speaking volumes. Someone in the crowd, reading the atmosphere, deftly steered the conversation elsewhere.


    “There’s still half a month until the NCI results are set in stone. Lilian, you’re leagues ahead of everyone else. My father’s going to lecture me senseless when I return home. We all socialize in the same circles, yet how do you maintain such excellence while we flounder? It’s maddening!”


    “You simply must ept a penalty drink today! Otherwise, when victory is yours, don’t expect us to throw you a celebration!”


    “That’s right, Lilian, you have to drink!”


    The chorus of young heirs and heiresses who regrly orbited around Lilian joined the rallying cry.


    Being the shrewd businesspeople they were, their seemingly envious words masked calcted ttery directed at Lilian.


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