Chapter 212: An Alternative Approach

After a day of training, Gal Gadot, having showered and changed her clothes, walked out of her hotel room. She felt like something was missing today. Standing in the corridor, she looked around. The flowers that had been a constant evening presence for over a week had disappeared. Had that guy given up just like that? Well, it was probably for the best. He seemed to have realized it was futile, and she would have less trouble to deal with in the future.

"Hey, Gal," a redhead girl emerged from the adjacent room, greeting her warmly. "Going to have dinner?"

Among those training together, they had the best relationship. Gal Gadot smiled and invited, "Let's go together, Lisa."

Lisa, the girl, also looked around curiously and remarked, "Huh, the person sending flowers didn't come today?"

Gal Gadot dismissed it with a shrug, "Isn't that better?"

"I just feel it's a bit of a pity," Lisa walked over, grabbing Gal Gadot's arm as they headed towards the elevator. "After all, he is a well-known director. What's his name again? Right, Murphy Stanton. I've seen him on newspapers and TV these past few days. A lot of famous American media have been interviewing him, he's really famous!"

"What does it have to do with me?" Gal Gadot genuinely didn't care much. "I'll return to Israel after the competition, I won't stay here."

The two entered the elevator. Just as the elevator arrived at the ground floor, Lisa muttered to herself, audible only to her, "Gal, you naïve silly girl. You just don't know how to seize the opportunity, what a waste."

Among all the contestants, Gal Gadot was among the youngest. In the eyes of this adult, some things seemed particularly childish.

Exiting the elevator, Gal Gadot and Lisa from New Zealand prepared to cross the hotel lobby to the dining area designated for contestants. However, as soon as they stepped out of the corridor, they stopped in their tracks, mouths agape.

"Oh.My.God!" Lisa covered her mouth, whispering in shock.

Not just her; even the well-brought-up Gal Gadot was somewhat surprised.

The hotel lobby had transformed into a sea of flowers. The floor was covered with colorful roses, with a large heart shape made of red roses at the center. The heart was adorned with words written in roses of other colors – "For the beautiful Miss Gal Gadot."

"Wow, Gal!" Lisa clutched at Gal Gadot's arm, visibly excited. "It's for you! It's for you!"

The hotel lobby was bustling, and other female contestants preparing to dine gathered around, all discussing the spectacle.

Unlike the excited Lisa, Gal Gadot frowned. She really didn't appreciate being the center of public attention like this.

Lisa kept exclaiming, "God, how many roses are there? 999? No, it must be 9999! Such a grand gesture!"

"Where's the hero?" She looked around. "Why don't I see him?"

Hearing this, Gal Gadot also looked around but didn't see the young director she had met at the party.

Her frown deepened. Was he really pursuing her?

Lisa finally noticed Gal Gadot's expression and asked in surprise, "Aren't you happy, Gal?"

"Cliché," Gal Gadot pulled Lisa along. "Boring, show-off…"

Gal Gadot didn't give another glance at the pile of roses, striding through the hotel lobby, internally scoffing. Was this what a hotshot Hollywood director resorted to – these boring, cliché tactics?

Just as they turned into the quiet corridor leading to the dining area, Gal Gadot noticed a tall young man standing near the restaurant entrance. He had a straight posture, was well-dressed, and though not exceptionally handsome, had a robust appearance reminiscent of Michelangelo's David.

He had seen her too and immediately came forward.

"Hi, Gal," Murphy greeted with a smile. "I called your room today, but no one answered, so I had to come here."

"Hello, Murphy." Gal Gadot still had a skeptical look. "The phone in my room broke yesterday."

She gestured towards the hotel lobby sarcastically, "Quite a grand gesture!"

"Those flowers?" Murphy had seen the roses upon entering. "They have nothing to do with me."

Gal Gadot didn't believe him, her skepticism evident.

"True, the flowers I sent every day were from me," Murphy didn't deny it. "But today's incident has nothing to do with me."

He was surprised by the scale of the gesture when he entered the hotel.

Indeed, the Israeli girl had made a deep impression on Murphy. He didn't deny his admiration for her beauty. Since the party, he had considered pursuing her, and followed Robert Downey Jr.'s advice, sending flowers daily through a florist.

As for Robert Downey Jr.'s suggestions of 999 or 9999 roses, Murphy thought it was a preposterous idea from an unreliable person.

"Really not you?" Gal Gadot's attitude softened slightly.

Murphy sincerely replied, "Would I need to deny such a thing?"

It seemed someone else also admired Gal Gadot, not an unusual occurrence in beauty contests.

The place swarmed with beauties, naturally attracting men, like himself.

More contestants entered the corridor, their curious glances falling on Murphy and Gal Gadot, obviously assuming he was the one who sent the flowers.

In that brief moment, Murphy saw impatience and discomfort on Gal Gadot's face, clearly uneasy being the focus of everyone's attention.

He promptly offered, "There's a great Italian restaurant nearby, focusing on light vegetarian dishes. Let's have dinner together, Gal."

Murphy then turned to the older redhead beside Gal Gadot, "Would you join us for dinner, beautiful lady?"

Seeing their close relationship, he assumed they were good friends.

The redhead introduced herself, "Hello, Murphy. I'm Lisa Hewitt from New Zealand."

She was likely the representative for New Zealand. Murphy nodded and invited again, "Let's go together."

Lisa looked at Gal Gadot, who hesitated but eventually nodded, swayed by Murphy's earnestness. "Alright, but we can't be late. We have a fitness class tonight."

"We won't delay you," Murphy assured, leading the way. "The restaurant is close by."

In five minutes, he brought Gal Gadot and Lisa Hewitt into an Italian restaurant, having reserved a table in advance. Though unplanned for three, they were comfortably seated.

He sat alone, facing Gal Gadot and Lisa Hewitt. Perhaps cautious of their diet, they ordered very little, avoiding meat altogether.

"How confident are you about making it to the finals?" Murphy steered the conversation to their interests.

Lisa, after swallowing her fruit, replied, "It depends on luck."

Gal Gadot shrugged nonchalantly, "I don't have high hopes. I'll probably be eliminated in the preliminaries next month."

"Why?" Murphy inquired immediately.

Having to diet, Gal Gadot quickly set aside her utensils and answered, "To the organizers and judges, I'm an anomaly. I'm often late to training and don't suck up to people…"

Like all contests, Miss Universe wasn't just about looks.

"I won Miss Israel by luck," Gal Gadot seemed genuinely unconcerned about the competition. "I mainly joined the finals to travel and gain some experience."

After some conversation, Murphy realized Lisa Hewitt from New Zealand valued the competition greatly, hoping to transform her life, while Gal Gadot, probably due to a privileged upbringing, took it lightly, almost like a vacation.

Probably only two such individuals could be so close, without direct competition.

Under Murphy's guidance, they enjoyed a pleasant dinner, with Gal Gadot warming up to him.

Returning from the restroom, Gal Gadot looked at Murphy, chatting politely with Lisa, feeling slightly complicated. She wasn't a naive teenager and had enough insight, courtesy of her education and maturity.

Murphy was outstanding in looks, talent, and achievements among his peers. She didn't dislike him; otherwise, she wouldn't have conversed with him so long.

Unfortunately, she had to return to Israel, and he couldn't leave Hollywood.

"If only he were Jewish," Gal Gadot mused, shaking her head. She gave Lisa a signal. Lisa immediately said, "Sorry, Murphy, it's getting late. We need to return for our fitness class."

"I don't want to be late, and I can't hold Lisa back," Gal Gadot agreed.

"Then let me walk you back,"

Murphy paid the bill and walked out of the restaurant with them. The hotel was nearby, so they strolled back.

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