Chapter 216: Thrill of the Competition

Irish already had what felt like her hundredth attempt, but up until this point, she never got to win against Asher in any game that they tried out so far. 

Being the competitive spirit that she is, she came up with the idea of challenging him as a way to let out her aggravation. She really wanted to knock him down so bad that he would no longer look cool in front of everyone there - as much as she doesn't want to admit it, he does look like that. He agreed and took up the challenge, deciding to use this as a way to let out his aggravation as well. With that, they started hopping from one gaming booth after another to get as much prizes as they could. 

But as it turned out, Irish ended up losing every round to Asher, including the last one which was supposed to be as easy as popping balloons with darts. 

"This can't be! Just how could you be so good?! You cheating or something?!" Irish bolted out exasperatedly, pouting and huffing.

"If there's anyone here who's gonna cheat, it'll be you. Just admit it. You're no match for me," Asher snickered with a mocking smirk. 

"Hey, I played fair and square!"

"Me too. This only means that you just really suck, then. What a loser."

"Why, you cheeky little...! I demand another round!"

"Sure thing. But if I win this one again, you've gotta accept everything I told about you."

Seeing how smug he is, she feels like backing out at the last minute. She already gets that she does suck at this kind of contest. Then again, she usually competes using beauty and talent - not tactics and strategies. She doesn't have the brain nor the brawn for that.

However, Irish is not only only competitive - she is prideful as well. That's why she's not going to let Asher have it. She will definitely show him what a Millicent is all about. 

"Are you done with your inner monologue, Aunt Irish...?" Hugo chimed in all of the sudden, smiling like he just read what she was thinking but did not really care about it. 

"Can you and Uncle Asher get on with the next one already? I really want to ride on the carousel right now. But I also want that huge ass teddy bear over there-"

"Wait, what did you say?!" Irish exclaimed, taken aback.

"Uhhh... I wanna ride on the carousel?"

"No! After that!"

"I want that huge ass teddy bear-"

"What huge ass?! That's not how you should call a stuff toy, Hugo! Did that man teach you that language?!" 

"Quit shouting, lady. You're blasting our eardrums..." Asher complained, frowning in annoyance. 

"Well, it's true that the teddy bear over there is huge as hell. He wanted me to get it for him. Wanna beat me to it?"

He points at the teddy bear that's on display in one of the stands, which she supposes is the grand prize for that particular game. It's one with the hook and ring toss - yet another thing she knows she's not good at. Even then, she puffs out her chest and lifts up her chin, steeling her resolve. 

"Okay, then. If I win this game, you're gonna stop being a bad influence to the kids," Irish demanded as she began to make her way to that gaming booth.

"A bad influence?! Excuse you! But these little guys love me!" Asher retorted indignantly while he followed after her. 

"Just when are they gonna stop acting like five-year-olds?" Olivia sighed from the side, watching them go at it again. 

"Well, the children seem to be enjoying it at the very least. They do get the prizes that they win in the end," Charles pointed out as he looked at Hugo and the others who were carrying all the prizes they got from the games they tried out earlier. 

"Or more like they're taking advantage of them. They even put aside the rides just so they can make them win those toys and candies for them."

"Indeed. Damien appears to be the head honcho. He sure is starting to act like the President."

"Tell me about it."

While they're in the middle of that conversation, Edward approached Charles out of nowhere. He looks a little alarmed for some reason. It immediately gave her the impression that whatever news he had with him was not a good one. 

"Charles, could you come with me for a moment? I received a call from Adrian," was what Edward said to Charles to which he nodded in return. 

Olivia stayed behind as he complied to the order and went with him, deciding not to ask about it upon realizing how urgent it seemed to be - at least for now, she decided not to.

As soon as they were out of sight, she made her way to the gaming booth and joined the others. She kept calm despite the bad feeling she was starting to have. Not wanting to worry about it too much, she tried to distract herself by talking with her twin sister. 

But then, Olivia stilled at once the moment she found Irish flirting with the game attendant. 

"So, gentleman, what's your plan after entertaining me tonight? Wanna play a different game with me later?" she told the guy at the stand while leaning over the counter and flashing him a coquettish smirk. 

Olivia only sighed at this, thinking how typical of Irish.

It's either she resorted to such an underhanded method just to win against Asher or she was just having troubles with controlling her hormones again. Like usual, her target appears to be easily fooled. Going by how hard the game attendant was blushing, she already knew she made her first victim after quite a long time. 

Olivia thought that the same thing as before would go down from that moment on - with Irish getting the date that she wants after charming this poor little soul. But that was until Asher interrupted all of the sudden, not letting her bribe the game attendant with her acting skills. 

"How petty of you to pull out a trick like this, princess..." Asher muttered from beside Irish, looking more than ready to bust her scheme. 

"You're still playing a game with me, and yet, you're already onto another guy? Just shows how you're really no match for me."