Chapter 268: Rivals

[Chapter 268: Rivals]

Ryan decided to voice his thoughts at last.

"Let's set this aside for now. Karlie is still young; it's not the right time for her to make a choice."

Karlie, who had been standing beside him, abruptly looked up, her expression shifting from surprise to annoyance.

"If you don't want to, I definitely don't want to," she muttered, feeling as though Ryan was dismissing her.

Taylor also looked at Ryan in disbelief, never expecting those words to come from him.

"This isn't as simple as just saying something. Karlie is amazing; she won't have trouble attracting wealthy suitors," Ryan shook his head.

This was too trivial. Cautiously, he certainly wouldn't agree to it.

"Tch." Karlie crossed her arms, feeling as if Ryan was just trying to be nice.

Taylor tried to persuade Ryan again, but when she saw he remained firm, she didn't say anything further.

That evening, Karlie left alone, returning to her place.

...

"Why did you refuse?" Taylor couldn't help but ask.

"Should I have accepted?" Ryan responded, confused.

"Of course! What man doesn't feel a spark with Karlie?" Taylor regarded Ryan skeptically.

"Feeling a spark doesn't mean you have to be together. Besides, I'm already managing you and Ivanka. Taking care of both of you is enough work; there's no time to find someone else. Eventually, everyone will be unhappy, and over time, they might grow resentful of me," Ryan explained.

"Fair point," Taylor mused, realizing Ryan had a valid argument. He wasn't a superhero with endless time to dedicate to women.

"So, stop trying to put me in awkward situations," Ryan joked.

"I just think you'll eventually want to find another woman. If that's the case, why not Karlie? It'd prevent any issues later on," Taylor chuckled.

"Taylor, Ivanka is just an unexpected situation. If she hadn't gotten pregnant..." Ryan shook his head.

"Alright, I get it. If she gives birth to your child, I'll treat it like my own," Taylor said.

"But it would be great if you could spend more time with me. It's best not to let Ivanka know," Taylor added, laughing slyly.

"Once I have a private jet, we'll be able to meet any day, no matter where you are," Ryan said, drawing Taylor into his embrace, his cheek resting against her forehead.

"Not just meet, but have some fun too," Taylor wrapped her arms around Ryan's neck sweetly.

"Fun? Let's have some now," Ryan kissed Taylor's soft lips.

"Don't be impatient! Let's finish dinner first," Taylor teased, her brows fluttering.

"I have endless energy right now."

"I know you're strong, but I still need to eat. I don't want to faint from exhaustion later," Taylor giggled.

...

So Ryan held his excitement back temporarily, and they went to a private dining room downstairs for their meal. After dinner, he didn't forget to work out.

In the past, Taylor had always worked out alongside him, but this time she pushed herself with intense exercises.

"Ivanka looks so good because she works out hard. I can't fall behind. I've hired a female personal trainer to create a fitness plan tailored for me. A few months from now, I'll have abs and a perky butt that can squeeze out the soul from you," Taylor winked at Ryan, dressed in her workout tank and tight yoga pants.

Her stunning figure wasn't just about looks; it also came from diligent effort.

Taylor had made up her mind to compete with Ivanka.

Ryan definitely welcomed the prospect of two women competing for his attention; that could only boost his own status.

...

Feeling playful, Ryan became especially proactive that night. He noticed Taylor's toes were tense and never relaxed.

"Your soul is still intact; mine has already melted," Taylor said weakly, her eyes closed.

Ryan leaned close to her ear, whispering, "If Karlie were here, you wouldn't be so worn out."

Taylor opened her eyes slightly, "Aren't you the one who doesn't want to waste time with women? What, have you changed your mind?"

"My thoughts have never changed. Karlie isn't the clingy type; she has her own career. It would be a waste to raise her up and then see her fly off with someone else," Ryan replied thoughtfully.

"Rejected is still you; desired is still you," Taylor smirked. "So tomorrow, let her come with you to Monaco, and the rest I'll leave to you. Sort it out yourself."

Then Taylor pinched Ryan's arm.

"Baby, speed up!"

---

"Alright, it's settled. Just pretend you're keeping Ryan company in Monaco," Taylor said, holding Karlie's hand tightly in the VIP lounge. She reminded her one last time before departing.

"If someone else asked that of me, I wouldn't agree," Karlie replied sullenly, still nursing the sting of Ryan's rejection from the previous day.

"Enough! I'm off. Call me later," Taylor put on her sunglasses and waved goodbye to Ryan.

Once Taylor left, Karlie let out a sigh. "Fine, I'll begrudgingly tag along for the trip. Just think of it as a vacation. Taylor should be over this by now, right?"

Ryan didn't comment. That afternoon, he and Karlie left Paris, flying directly to the nearest airport to Monaco, Nice.

...

Upon landing, they took a helicopter that arrived in seven minutes, landing directly in Monaco.

"Mr. Ryan, Princess Charlotte instructed me to ensure you are properly attended to," a middle-aged bald man in a tuxedo, a butler, greeted them upon arrival. The helicopter trip had been arranged by the other party; Ryan didn't have to lift a finger, showcasing their hospitality.

"Tonight, you'll be taken on a nighttime drive around Monaco, then checked into your hotel. Tomorrow, Princess Charlotte will personally meet with you to show you the sights of Monaco. Additionally, there are some royal charity events you'll need to attend," the butler explained with a smile.

"I don't need a tour; just arrange a car for me. I'll head to the hotel myself," Ryan said, taking control.

Seeing Ryan had his own plans, the butler didn't argue further and simply handed him a set of keys to a Maybach.

That Maybach was a brand new release.

...

"This car looks enormous," Karlie said, pulling her small suitcase behind her, glancing at the vehicle.

This was her first time riding in such an expensive luxury car, but as they hit the road, Karlie noticed that here, these luxury cars only blended in amidst a sea of others.

Within minutes, she spotted several luxury vehicles passing in the opposite direction. The parked cars by the roadside also appeared to be quite valuable.

"Are the people here really that wealthy?" Karlie exclaimed.

"Almost half the residents here are millionaires," Ryan said, continuing.

"And the rest?"

"Are multi-millionaires."

"No wonder there are so many banks around." Karlie laughed, observing that along this short stretch, the roadside was dotted with high-end shops and various banks.

This reminded Ryan, prompting him to remark, "Most likely due to tax incentives; the prevalence of banks indicates a thriving financial industry."

Of course, these banks catered to the wealthy and likely met a range of special needs, such as laundering money or asset transfers.

"What's that?" Karlie pointed to a grand, classical-style building perched on a cliff, lit beautifully against the night sky.

"That should be the Prince's Palace -- where the prince and princess live," Ryan replied.

"It's beautiful. It would be amazing to live there for a lifetime," Karlie mused.

"Really? You probably don't know about the 'Princess's Curse,'" Ryan smiled.

"Every Monaco princess has had an unhappy marriage. Would you want to leave your house only once a month?" Ryan added.

"Forget that. I'd get bored locked inside for a few months; working is much better," Karlie shook her head.

"Speaking of which, if you want to live in a classical building like that, it's not impossible. While you might not have one situated on a mountain peak like the Prince's Palace, you could still live by the sea," Ryan deftly changed the subject.

Where you live is secondary. You have to speak nicely. Women think with their ears.

Sure enough, Karlie felt warmth on her cheeks, then scoffed, "I wouldn't live there. You already have two gorgeous women by your side; I'm just a drop in the bucket."

...

Monaco was a small place; although luxury cars were everywhere and yachts sailed along the coastline, after some time, they all seemed ordinary. They reached the renowned Paris Hotel in Monaco.

"Where are we going tomorrow? I want to ride on a yacht," Karlie stated as they entered the elevator.

"I don't have time to take you out on the water; I have meetings tomorrow. Find something fun to do by yourself," Ryan shook his head.

"Are you not worried I'll get swept away by some young, handsome millionaire?" Karlie snapped back.

"Not worried at all; no matter how handsome he is, he's not as handsome as me," Ryan said unabashedly.

"True, you're right about that," Karlie turned, staring at Ryan, surprisingly not arguing back.

Beauty ranked first in importance; Ryan's face had undoubtedly played a big role in drawing two of the top women to him.

Without that face, no matter how well he treated women, he'd be seen as a mere gratitude payment in the next life, but with that face, it became "I have no way to repay you, only my body can offer," as women would oftentimes feel.

"Wear heels tomorrow," Ryan commanded.

"Why? In heels, I'll look like a giant woman, and everyone will stare at me," Karlie protested.

"Others want to be seen, but they don't have the conditions to pull it off."

"I understand. You must like driving spacious vehicles," Karlie laughed. Ivanka and Taylor were both over six feet tall, so when it came to height, no one had an edge.

"Must wear red soles with a black top," Ryan specified further.

"I can wear them, but you have to beg me!" Karlie smirked.

"Then you can move to a little hotel nearby tomorrow night," Ryan said. The Monaco royalty only covered his expenses, so Karlie's expenses would need to be on him, and everything there was exorbitantly priced.

"Tch. Stingy! Fine, I'll wear them!" Karlie relented, knowing she couldn't be tightfisted when it came to enjoyment.

---

The next morning, Ryan and Karlie arrived at the lobby of the Paris Hotel, where Charlotte was already waiting for them, along with Beatrice.

"We just arrived too. Today my job is to show you around and help you find a suitable site," Charlotte explained.

"So you agreed?" Ryan raised an eyebrow.

"My opinion doesn't matter; I'm just here to represent the royal family in welcoming you. Whether this deal goes through or not, and which royal figure is involved, will depend on my uncle's thoughts," Charlotte clarified.

So this meant that Ryan would definitely get to meet Prince Albert?

Ryan nodded.

"Karlie Kloss? What are you doing here?" Charlotte turned her attention to the woman next to Ryan, glancing down slightly.

Karlie had indeed followed Ryan's suggestion, wearing red-soled, black patent leather heels, along with a fitted dress featuring an innovative design, a sharp trim falling into a black train -- perfectly dressed for the occasion.

"She has a good relationship with Taylor, and she wanted to come see, so I brought her along," Ryan explained.

Charlotte nodded, saying nothing further.

...

Charlotte led Ryan and Karlie on a special walking tour; the area was small enough to explore on foot, and every brick and tile oozed European classical style, with city scenery worth admiring.

Despite the presence of security, pedestrians quickly recognized Charlotte, warmly greeting her with great respect, and some even bowed.

"The residents of Monaco enjoy the benefits of development; many elderly people genuinely support the royal family," Beatrice explained, shedding light on Ryan's questions.

...

As the group passed a Ferrari dealership, Ryan lingered, glancing around, and Charlotte quickly invited him inside. Inside, the female sales associate was stunning, providing thoughtful service and radiating a friendly smile with impressive professionalism.

Ryan slid into a limited-edition Ferrari 430 Scuderia Spider, gripping the steering wheel as excitement surged.

Given his financial status, buying this car wouldn't pose any issue, Beatrice thought to herself.

She understood Ryan came from humble beginnings, rising through talent and skill, with a series of business moves as a celebrity -- quite an impressive feat.

Having earned money, he certainly deserved to enjoy it, which was completely understandable. Beatrice mused.

But then Ryan got up, calling for Charlotte, preparing to leave.

"Not interested? I remember they had an FXX Evoluzione for sale; that one would suit you better," Charlotte remarked as they exited.

Ryan shook his head. "True Ferrari elegance shines through; you can feel the difference the moment you sit inside, but I'm busy. Even if I bought it, I wouldn't get to drive it much. It's better to save that money rather than let it collect dust at home."

"I've seen too many people squander their riches wildly; it's refreshing to meet someone like you," Beatrice commented, recalling Ryan's earlier words.

He was simply more frugal. Karlie thought to herself, remembering Ryan's earlier requests directed toward her.

...

The group entered a tree-lined garden, strolling while admiring the local architecture. Initially, Karlie was engaged, but it wasn't long before her feet began to hurt. The high shoes were cumbersome, especially after all the walking.

Suddenly, a strong arm appeared beside her.

"I didn't expect her to plan it this way," Ryan said quietly, expressing slight remorse.

Karlie couldn't focus on being upset anymore and casually took Ryan's arm, leaning against him to relieve her feet.

After a few moments, Ryan called for a car, letting Karlie sit relaxed inside with the others.

He was kind enough, she thought, and all her previous annoyance mellowed significantly.

...

That evening, they arrived at Monaco's most renowned establishment, the Monte Carlo Casino, where the royal family hosted a charity night. The event attracted plenty of guests, most men accompanying glamorous women that all looked like Hollywood stars.

So this was what a true gathering of Europe's wealthy looked like? Karlie was truly seeing the world.

At the same time, many guests turned their gaze toward Karlie, and even amidst such a crowd, she outshone them all.

"You were right to have me dress up," Karlie leaned toward Ryan, acknowledging him.

"With a figure like yours, how could you not dress beautifully? It wouldn't do justice to what nature has given you," Ryan replied with a grin.

The two were close, and hearing Ryan's compliment made Karlie's cheeks flush.

"Care to come to my room for a drink tonight?" Ryan invited her.

Karlie's face turned an even deeper shade of red, and before she could respond, a roar of applause erupted from the crowd.

...

A middle-aged man in a white suit accompanied a mature woman into the venue.

The woman was Princess Charlotte's mother, Princess Hanover. Since the prince wasn't married, she took on the princess role at significant events.

And the middle-aged man was undoubtedly Prince Albert -- balding, portly, and appearing quite ordinary.

Ryan glanced toward Beatrice, who had been communicating with Charlotte throughout the night, clearly uninterested in the arrival of the prince.

Wasn't this a good opportunity to stand close? Ryan mused.

As for the charity night itself, there was nothing particularly unique. Prince Albert made a few remarks, welcoming the guests and delivering some grand rhetoric before disappearing after his brief appearance.

...

"Uncle is upstairs; he wants to see you," Charlotte approached Ryan.

Ryan nodded, suggesting Karlie stay with Beatrice for now as he followed Charlotte to a private room upstairs.

Inside were Prince Albert and Princess Hanover, who had just entered.

"Welcome, young guest," the princess smiled.

"I know you're here to discuss your nightclub in Monaco, but upon consideration, I don't think Monaco needs a nightclub right now," Princess Hanover abruptly shifted the conversation, directly rejecting the collaboration.

"The reason is quite simple; your nightclub clashes with the ambiance here. We need to promote an image that is luxurious and rich in historical depth, and a nightclub doesn't aid in that regard," she continued.

"Is that so? If you had a deeper understanding, you'd know that my nightclub is the best choice," Ryan replied clearly.

"I'd like to hear your reasoning."

"Because my nightclub carries the highest standards in the industry and is designed with a classical aesthetic. Most importantly, my nightclub maintains a rigorous zero-tolerance policy for illegal substances. I believe that's your true concern," Ryan asserted.

Tourism was the backbone of Monaco's economy; no matter how things were internally, a polished exterior remained highly important.

"No one is willing to do this in a clear-cut manner."

"Quite the opposite; I believe having illegal substances in a nightclub is not entirely bad. Some people indeed have that need, but making it overt would be a problem. Therefore, I'd like you to agree to this condition, while the rest can be relatively flexible," Princess Hanover revealed her true intentions.

Did the royal family genuinely want to profit from this? Ryan wondered, feeling surprised.

Upon reflection, Monaco was indeed built on casinos, housing high-priced escorts from around the world, and the addition of a high-end nightclub wasn't particularly absurd.

The issue was that Ryan had no intention of getting involved in any illicit activities; he wouldn't touch that money at all.

Bringing his thoughts to a close, he said slowly, "I have more than one nightclub; I won't make an exception just for Monaco. My nightclubs will strictly offer a pure entertainment experience."

"That's the right approach." Princess Hanover nodded, turning to Prince Albert.

"He has passed."

So, the earlier conversation was a mere test?

Clearly, the royal family didn't trust Ryan that much; if any trouble arose, it would tarnish Monaco's name.

Prince Albert gestured that Ryan could leave, having said nothing throughout the exchange.

"Young man, I've seen your determination; however, we still need to discuss things further, and then we'll provide you with an official response. Charlotte, please escort him back," Princess Hannover concluded.

After such a long talk, was that all? Ryan realized these people were quite the bureaucrats. Nonetheless, he was beholden to them, so he could only comply for the moment.

...

At the same time, a helicopter descended gently onto the helipad. A man was the first to leap out, his clothes fluttering in the wind generated by the spinning blades.

"Mr. Urgell, this way please," a middle-aged butler who had been waiting on the helipad instructed.

Already several others followed down from the aircraft.

"Has Ryan arrived yet?" the man, chewing gum, asked immediately.

"He arrived last night."

"Is that so? It seems the prince isn't very interested in him; otherwise, he wouldn't have invited me," his expression turned slightly disdainful.

Well then, this would be a surprise for Ryan; expanding in Europe wouldn't be easy! Hugo Urgell spat out his gum onto the ground.

*****

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