Dumb Beauty & Genius

68.

Anna stares at Shane.
They don't even realize the announcement.

" Apple. One."
" The guard guessed right his apple but the other apple was his apple too. The thief earns two apples."

Shane rolls his eyes.
" I mean.. I can't let my teammate suffer."

Anna lowers her head, " oh..yeah."
Shane exhales.

' What was that just now ?' thought Shane feeling weird.
They froze awkwardly.

" Hey ! What's up with the bashful expression ?" exclaimed Quinn out of nowhere.
Shane and Anna glare at her.

" Okay.. by the way I got two golden apples." reported Quinn.
Shane furrows his brows.

" The red team, please send an inspector to the room. There's two minutes left."

Anna turns to the screen, " O-Oh !"
Anna runs away, " I'll go !"

Anna walks towards the door.
Anna exhales and touches her face.

' Did I blush ?'

***

Shane turns to Quinn.
" Hey broccoli." called Shane.

Quinn looks at Shane.
" You lied, right ? None of us blushed." stated Shane coldly.

Quinn raises her shoulders, indicating that she doesn't know.
" I saw her face." said Shane, " and I.."

" Ask her if you want to know." stopped Quinn, " she saw your face."
" I'm positive I didn't." said Shane walking towards his seat.

Quinn snorts.
Shane, sitting at the corner, furrows his brows.

' Quinn got two golden apples ?'

***

Anna smiles, " you'll help us too, right ?"
" Yeah, for now, let me win !" replied Gilbert.

Anna presses the button, " Pass."
Gilbert smiles, " Thanks !"

" The guard didn't see through the thief's lie. The thief earns two apples."

Anna smiles, " now only Ethan needs to be rescued."

Belle .. 8R 10G Bank : 12R
Ethan . 3R 11G Bank : 16R
Gilbert 5R . 9G Bank : 14R

Anna .. 2G 13R Bank : 17G
Quinn . 6G 10R Bank : 14G
Shane . 2G . 9R Bank : 19G

12 + 16 + 14 = 42 : 3 = 14

Anna 2G + 14 = 16 ( lose )
Quinn 6G + 14 = 20 ( win )
Shane 2G + 14 = 16 ( lose )

17 + 14 + 19 = 50 : 3 = 16,6

Belle 8R + 16,6 = 24,6 ( win )
Ethan 3R + 16,6 = 19,6 ( lose )
Gilbert 5R + 16,6 = 21,6 ( win )

***

Anna smiles.
" What reason are you smiling ?" asked Shane.

Anna looks at Shane.
Anna widens her eyes, " of course we need to let everyone to win."

" There must be a way." said Anna.
Quinn smirks, " there's no such thing."

" Eh ?" asked Anna turning to Quinn.
" I mean, just look at the rules ! Steal 20 apples each person ? Each team can steal maximum two apples every round. There are 30 rounds in total." said Quinn.

" Hmm.." muttered Anna, " ah !"
" Yep." answered Quinn.

20 apples × 3 person × 2 teams
= 120 apples

2 apples max × 30 rounds × 2 turns
= 120 apples

" It means we can all win if we work together !" said Anna.
" No !" stopped Quinn, " the rule is modified so if someone fails to steal in a round, it's hard to make a comeback. In the end, we will betray one another."

Shane smirks at the corner, backing Anna and Quinn.