Chapter 2

I was madly in love with Julian Brooks, the golden boy of our university's dance department.

I had been chasing him for two years, but my feelings remained unrequited.

Scarlett, on the other hand, was a divorcée who only seemed to get younger and more radiant by the day, with a never-ending line of suitors.

I was incredibly envious. We had the exact same genes, yet we were treated like day and night.

To become as popular as Scarlett and finally win Julian over, I kept nagging her to share her beauty secret.

But every time I asked, she would stutter and change the subject.

Finally, today, I snapped. "I'm your sister, Scarlett! Why are you gatekeeping something this good?"

"Do you want me to be the laughingstock of the whole campus?"

After I threw a massive tantrum in her bedroom, Scarlett finally relented and agreed to take me.

But standing at the VIP entrance of the beast sanctuary, I was completely lost.

Without a word, Scarlett grabbed my hand and pulled me inside.

When the ticket agent saw Scarlett, his eyes crinkled into a knowing smile, and he greeted her like an old friend. "Back again, Scarlett? Are we riding the wild tiger today?"

Hearing the agent's words, my jaw dropped.

A tiger is the king of the jungle. They are fierce predators. What kind of tiger could be so tame that people could ride it?

Instantly, curiosity consumed my mind.

Scarlett smiled. "Yes. That's my absolute favorite. It's incredibly comfortable to ride."

The agent's gaze swept over Scarlett's hourglass figure. "I can tell. The transformation is unreal. I've already had them bring him out. Go on in."

Scarlett nodded and walked ahead. I went to follow her, but the moment I took a step, the agent reached out and blocked me.

"Apologies, miss. You look new. Do you have a VIP membership?"

I shook my head.

Scarlett walked back. "She's my sister. I'm bringing her here to experience it today. Just charge ten thousand dollars to my card."

My eyes widened in sheer disbelief. Ten thousand dollars just to see some animals? That was insane!

I tugged at Scarlett's sleeve. "Scarlett, is this a scam? What kind of sanctuary charges ten grand for a ticket?"

"Miss, watch your tongue," the agent interrupted, his voice dropping. "Ask your sister if that ten grand is worth it."

Scarlett's face flushed red. "My sister is still in college. She's young. It's her first time."

I immediately fired back, "It's not my first time! I've seen tigers plenty of times!"

My outburst made everyone at the front desk burst into laughter.

"Look at that innocent face. Definitely a first-timer. Tell you what, I'll pick a gentle tiger for her."

Scarlett got the fiercest one, while I was stuck with the gentlest.

But since we were already here and the money was spent, I wanted the best!

"No! I want the same one as Scarlett!"

The agent tried to persuade me, "Sweetheart, since it's your first time, I don't think you can handle the fierce one."

It was just looking at a tiger. How could I not handle it?

But the way they spoke made me feel like "looking at a tiger" meant something entirely different. My curiosity burned even hotter.

Could merely seeing a tiger really make me as breathtakingly beautiful as Scarlett?

"Let her be," Scarlett said. "Hazel has always had good stamina. She'll be fine. I'm going in first. Please help her choose slowly."

With that, Scarlett walked toward the VIP rooms in the back.

A moment later, a deep, wild tiger roar echoed from the hallway.

Driven by curiosity, I pressed my ear against the door of the room Scarlett had just entered. The agent chuckled and patted my shoulder. "Don't worry. The one we choose for you won't be any worse than your sister's."

I stood up straight, nodding, my heart pounding with anticipation.

But when the agent finally led me into my designated room, the sight inside made my blood run cold. I bolted out, collapsed next to a trash can, and threw up until my stomach was completely empty.

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