Chapter 98: (98) Fan’s Cheeks

"Is he insane, saying something like this?"

"Maybe this guy is just a show-off. Has nothing better to do so he came here to pretend?"

"Yes, now I’m sure. This guy is just another dumbass trying to get into the pants of innocent girls!"

The atmosphere shifted. Soft whispers turned into open mockery. Laughter and sneers rose from the crowd like a wave. Phones were lifted higher. Eyes that had been curious and respecting now looked at Daniel with open contempt.

Anna stepped closer to her father, voice low and tight with worry.

"Daddy... let’s just go."

Lara moved up beside her as well, eyes anxious.

"Dad... Uncle, let’s leave. It’s not like they know us personally."

Daniel ignored both of them completely. His cold gaze settled on Fan, who was practically bouncing with excitement, for one long, heavy second. Then he spoke, voice calm and clear enough to cut through every whisper.

"I said I don’t mind buying this boutique... but why should I?"

The words dropped like a nuclear bomb. Every conversation died instantly. Dozens of heads turned toward him in pure shock.

"What?"

Fan stared at him, eyes wide with disbelief. Inside his mind he was already celebrating.

You’re already cornered. Saying something like this will only prove you’re a thug. Heh... it seems you really are one!

His confidence surged. He spun toward the crowd with a wide, greasy grin.

"Everyone, look at what he’s saying! ’Why should he?’" Fan turned back to Daniel, voice oily and loud. "For your love, of course."

No one knew who laughed first, but within seconds the boutique filled with open laughter. Some people even clapped sarcastically.

Elise’s heart sank into an empty swing. Her fingers tightened around the tablet.

Lara, Anna, and especially Kira burned with fresh, crushing shame. Kira’s soft body trembled harder against Daniel’s chest; her full young breasts pressed tighter against him as she tried to hide her face, her hot young breath hitting Danial’s collarbones, making him want to sin right there.

Daniel continued without raising his voice even slightly.

"Let’s say I buy this boutique for my ’love.’ Then what’s it got to do with you? Are you the owner of this boutique? Will you get any benefits from it? No, right? Then what are you really after?"

Fan froze. So did everyone else. Dozens of eyes slowly turned toward him.

Why is this guy so meddlesome?

Then, a sudden thought struck them.

What if he’s one of the admirer, loves the girl in Danial’s arms secretly for years, got jealous seeing her with another guy and is here to expose the man’s secret.

Everything suddenly "clicked" for them.

Two males fighting over one soft, pretty girl.

Oh damn, that was the exact kind of drama everyone wanted to watch.

Fan opened his mouth to reply, but Daniel cut him off coldly, almost lazily.

"Forget about it. I’m not interested in your reason. I’m sure it’ll be something worthless anyway."

"You—!!" Fan gritted his teeth so hard his jaw ached. Pure humiliation burned through his chest as fresh laughter erupted around him. Several girls openly giggled behind their hands.

Daniel’s voice remained steady and unhurried.

"You look more interested in me buying this boutique, so let me give you a chance. Let’s place a bet."

He looked Fan dead in the eyes.

"If I buy everything here, then you’ll take slaps from every girl present — as many as each one wants. Do you dare to bet?"

Not only Fan’s eyes, but every single pair of eyes in the boutique widened. This was crazy. The man was openly trying to publicly humiliate him in the most degrading way possible.

Fan, however, thought something completely different.

He’s trying to make me back down so he can walk out with an excuse. Too bad. Your little scheme won’t work on me. I’m far too intelligent for that.

He quickly stepped forward, chest puffed out, and declared in a loud, passionate voice that carried across the entire store—

"If that’s what it takes to prove your love, then I’d gladly take as many slaps as the girls here can give me!"

The sudden sincerity in his tone made many people change their opinion of him on the spot. Respect bloomed in several hearts.

Even some of the girls who had been dripping wet for Daniel felt a sudden shift of sympathy toward Fan.

"Anna, start recording," Daniel said quietly.

Anna’s fingers trembled, but she still obeyed. She lifted her phone with shaking hands even though every part of her wanted to drag her father out of this mess.

"Okay. Now let’s formally bet." Daniel’s voice was calm and absolute. "If I buy everything in this boutique, you will gladly take slaps from every girl present here — as many as each one wants. Do you dare?"

Fan smirked internally, already tasting victory.

Old man, you really didn’t think this through. I already know your plan.

He barked loudly so the entire crowd could hear every word—

"I, Fan Ashen, accept the dare! Forget about the whole boutique — if you even manage to pay the current bill, I’ll gladly offer my cheeks to every lady present here!!"

His voice rang out clear and confident.

"Now... can you please give your card to the staff?" Fan asked, grinning so widely his eyes almost disappeared.

"No."

Daniel’s single, flat word shocked everyone into silence. Fan’s smile stretched even wider, reaching his ears.

"Was he just bluffing the whole time??"

"That’s too shameful!!"

"Bro, didn’t you say this guy was loaded?

Then why is he acting like a loser?"

"Ah~ You see—"

"I knew it! I knew it! You broke bast—" Fan tried to mock, only to be forced shut by Danial’s calm and lazy voice.

Daniel turned to Elise, completely ignoring the laughing crowd and the mocking Fan and spoke,

"I want to buy everything in this boutique. Everything means everything. Count it all and tell me the total."

Elise shivered hard.

Has he gone insane?

Why is he getting swept up in that trash’s rhythm?

Can’t he see the obvious trap?

As the head attendant she was forced to do her job, but she still tried one last time, voice soft and careful.

"Are you sure, Sir?"

"Yes."

Daniel then turned his cold, unblinking gaze toward Fan, who had stopped mocking and was now staring at him with pure confusion.

Fan couldn’t help but bark, voice cracking slightly,

"You’re still pretending?"