?Chapter 42:


    Makenna’s POV:


    Bryan’s announcement ignited a spark of excitement among the sex ves, Alice’s eyes practically gleaming with anticipation. It was clear she couldn’t wait to dive into thepetition.


    My heart, however, felt like it was sinking into an abyss.


    With the stakes so high—both reward and punishment—neither oue was particrly appealing.


    I certainly had no desire to parade around the pce in nothing but my skin, nor did I want to spend a night with Bryan.


    A sideways nce at him confirmed my suspicion: he seemed to relish this predicament.


    That malicious smile of his—familiar from past humiliations—only fueled my anger. If I weren’t bound by my position as a sex ve, I would have unleashed my fury on him right there. What a bastard!


    “Why are you still standing there?” Bryan’s voice sliced through my seething rage. Ignoring the fire in my eyes, he raised an eyebrow and taunted, “Are you ready to admit defeat and run around naked?”


    Seizing the moment, Alice chimed in with a sneer, “Scared, Makenna?”


    I shot her a nce but held my tongue, focusing instead on preparing for the climb.


    At this point, retreat was not an option. No matter the prize or the punishment, backing out was not in my vocabry.


    Alice readied herself well. With onest, provocative nce, she dered, “I’m going to win thispetition and spend the night with Prince Bryan. You’d better get ready for your naked run.”


    How juvenile! I chose to ignore her, mentally plotting a way to avoid both the so-called reward and punishment.


    The whistle blew abruptly, signaling the start of the climb.


    The wall loomed nearly 150 feet high, but for me, it was nothing more than a minor inconvenience. With swift, practiced movements, I scaled it effortlessly, as though strolling on level ground.


    In contrast, Alice, who started off even with me, gradually fell behind, her pace faltering as she struggled.


    Eventually, she was left far behind, her efforts slowing to a crawl. I nced down to see her straining and failing to keep up, reluctance etched across her face.


    I raised an eyebrow, a smirk curling on my lips, and increased my speed.


    I was going to win, and I would do so convincingly.


    “Impossible! Bitch! How can you climb so fast?” Alice’s voice,ced with frustration, reached my ears from behind.


    I ignored her, focusing solely on my ascent. As I neared the summit, the spectators below suddenly erupted into gasps and shouts.


    Instinctively, I looked at Alice, in her panic, losing her grip and—


    “Argh! Help me!” Her scream echoed in terror.


    She iled, grasping at the rock but failing to catch hold, and continued to fall.


    The sight startled me. Thankfully, her fall was arrested by the safety rope, preventing a catastrophic impact on the ground.


    Relief washed over me. The thought of an ident was too dire to contemte.


    Turning my attention back to the top, I noted that I was only a few feet away from victory. Victory was within my grasp—literally.


    However, hesitation gripped me.


    I peered downward with a subtle smile. Without a second thought, I let go.


    Inded safely along my safety rope. Thepetition would end with no clear winner or loser. I was curious to see what Bryan would make of such a result.


    Just as I began the descent, I felt the reassuring support of the rope falter. A split secondter, I heard the ominous sound of the rope tearing.


    My safety rope snapped.


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