“Let’s see how far G Group’s PR can run with this,” Elowen murmured, her smirk curving wider with satisfaction. She reclined in her chair, one manicured finger tracing the rim of her coffee cup.Just then, her phone buzzed on the desk. The sharp vibration cut through the quiet of her office, drawing her gaze. Her smirk faltered for a brief moment as she caught sight of the name on the screen. Caspian.She unlocked the phone with a quick swipe, her eyes narrowing as she read the message:Let’s make a deal, Elowen. If you don’t mess with me, I won’t disturb your days in Apex Grove City.Her brows arched slightly, and the smile returned, this time more menacing. “So, Caspian is scared already?” she mused aloud, her voice dripping with mock amusement. She placed the phone back on the desk with deliberate ease, leaning back in her chair. A laugh escaped her lips, low and triumphant. “I’ve barely begun.”The live broadcast kicked off in a flurry of activity. Cameras rolled, equipment clatte
The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the makeshift camp. The live broadcast had ended for the day, the cameras folded away with practiced efficiency, and the crew dispersed. The participants trudged to the house rented for them, their excitement fading into shock the moment they crossed the threshold.The place was barebones. The air was stale, the light dim from a single weak bulb. There was no running water, no electricity beyond the faint hum of a generator that seemed ready to die at any moment. The beds single, creaky frames with thin, worn-out mattresses were lined up like props in a scene meant to invoke discomfort.Sylvaine, her hair perfectly styled despite the day’s activities, stood in the doorway of her room, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. “This… this is it?” she muttered, her voice trembling with disbelief. She turned to Mr. Douglas, her stiletto heels clicking against the uneven floorboards. “Are we really staying here?”Mr. Douglas
Lysander pushed open the heavy wooden door to his mansion, the soft hum of his car engine fading as the automatic garage door sealed behind him. The quiet opulence of his home greeted him: marble floors gleamed under ambient lighting, and the faint aroma of cedarwood lingered in the air.He shrugged off his blazer, tossing it onto the back of a chair before making his way upstairs. His room was spacious yet cold, the kind of space that screamed wealth but lacked warmth. He paced to the floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding them open just enough to let the cool night breeze touch his face.A smug grin spread across his lips as he pulled out his phone. The call connected after two rings.“Soren,” he said, his voice carrying an undercurrent of authority.“Sir?”“I need you to find someone,” Lysander began, his words deliberate. “Emmanuelle.”There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Emmanuelle? Sir, isn’t she… dead? The news said Lucy killed her. It was all over the media.”Lysander c
The group split into two as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Lucy’s team headed toward the village chief’s residence, where eager children waited for their lessons, while Jeremy’s team set out for the best farmer’s house in the village. Cameramen followed both teams, broadcasting every move live to an online audience hungry for drama and entertainment.Lucy adjusted her cap as she stepped through the dusty village path, the camera zooming in on her determined expression. Around her, the chatter of her team mingled with the soft rustle of leaves in the morning breeze. When they reached the large wooden gate of the village chief's home, he was already waiting for them, his face breaking into a smile."I was thrilled when I saw you coming," he said, stepping forward to greet Lucy. His hands were calloused from years of hard work, but his grip was firm. "And thank you again for the tractor. Ever since you repaired it, work has been so much easier."Lucy forced a smile, brushing stray st
Maddy leaned back in his chair, the dim glow of the California city lights streaming through the restaurant’s glass window. The man across from him, Soren, fidgeted with his phone, stealing nervous glances at Maddy’s hulking frame. Maddy’s phone buzzed on the table, and he picked it up, answering with a deep, deliberate tone.“Boss, your assistant is here with me,” he said, his voice steady.On the other end of the line, Lysander’s voice was calm, almost cold. “Good. Has he been briefed?”“Yes. We’re parked across the street from her apartment. My team is ready.”“Then listen carefully,” Lysander said, his tone hardening. “Bring her back to Apex Grove tonight. Do it quietly. Not a single hair on her head should be harmed she’s critical to my plans.”Maddy nodded, though Lysander couldn’t see him. “Understood. I’ll wrap this up quickly.”“See that you do,” Lysander replied, the line going dead.Maddy slipped his phone into his pocket and turned to Soren, whose knuckles were white as he
The air was crisp and quiet, a blanket of calm resting over the village. The morning sun painted everything in soft gold, yet the two competing teams emerged with vastly different energy. Lucy’s team radiated confidence, their consistent wins reflected in their growing stash of food supplies. The aroma of spices and vegetables already filled their corner as they prepared for the day’s challenge.Lucy stretched, the corners of her lips tugging into a smile as she turned to her team. “So, what’s on the menu this morning?” she asked, her voice carrying over the murmur of the nearby crew adjusting their cameras.Orion scratched his head, his other hand rubbing his stomach. “I’m thinking boiled eggs and rice. Something simple but filling,” he said with a grin.Sylvaine and Vivian exchanged glances before nodding enthusiastically.“Rice and eggs it is,” Lucy declared, clapping her hands together. “I’ll handle the cooking. You all take care of the prep work.”“I’ll get firewood,” Orion volun
Elowen leaned back in her sleek leather chair, the dim glow of the computer screen casting sharp shadows across her face. The rhythmic clatter of keyboard strokes filled the room as comments flooded the live broadcast feed. Her sharp nails tapped against the desk in a slow, deliberate rhythm, her lips curling into a predatory smile.The chaos she’d unleashed was unfolding beautifully. Words of outrage, shock, and support poured in—each comment another nail in Caspian’s coffin. The scandal was festering in real time, exactly as she had planned.Her phone buzzed against the glass tabletop, the faint vibration breaking the silence. She glanced at it casually, her amusement undisturbed. The message preview blinked on the screen:“Don’t mess with me, Elowen. You’ll regret it. Time to go back to your city.”A dry laugh bubbled in her throat, low and mocking. She picked up the phone and read the message again, her amusement deepening. “Regret?” she murmured, setting the phone back down with
The door slammed shut with a resounding thud that echoed through the sleek, silent office. Caspian stood there for a moment, chest heaving as he stared at the glass panels that reflected the storm brewing in his eyes. His hand shot up, raking through his dark hair, the strands sticking up in chaotic defiance.“Elowen,” he hissed, the name rolling off his tongue like a curse. His voice was venomous, laced with anger so sharp it could cut glass. His fists curled tightly at his sides, his knuckles turning white. “You’ll pay for this. Mark my words you’ll pay.”He crossed the room in a few long strides, yanking the phone off its cradle with such force that the cord rattled. His thumb jabbed at the buttons, and the phone barely had time to ring before a voice answered.“Get the boardroom ready,” he barked, his tone brooking no argument. “Twenty minutes. I’ll address the directors myself.”“Understood, sir,” came the swift reply.He slammed the phone back down, the metallic clink reverberat
The evening air was thick with tension, yet for the first time in days, Mr. Douglas found himself smiling. The live broadcast had gone better than he’d expected. The response from the online audience was overwhelming, and he knew exactly what to do next.As he strolled across the set, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a sleek black phone. With only two days left until the broadcast ended, it was time to let the contestants see what was happening outside. One by one, he handed them their phones, relishing the anticipation in their faces.Then, with deliberate steps, he approached Lucy.She sat on the edge of a wooden bench, her fingers twisting together in her lap. The golden light of the setting sun caught the strands of her dark hair, making her look almost ethereal like the star she once was. Douglas stopped in front of her, tilting his head.“You know,” he said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement, “after this broadcast, I’m shooting a new movie. I’d like you to be the fem
The rhythmic echo of footsteps filled the dimly lit hallway, but Caspian remained still. His fingers curled into fists at his sides as he stared out over the city skyline. The neon lights below flickered like dying embers, and for the first time in years, he felt the ground shift beneath him. His world his empire was unraveling. And he would burn it all to the ground before letting someone else seize control.A hesitant voice broke the silence."Sir..."Caspian didn’t turn. His mind was elsewhere, weaving a hundred different ways to eliminate the woman who had dared to challenge him."Sir," the voice came again, more urgent this time.He exhaled sharply and shifted his gaze from the city to the man standing near the door. His assistant normally composed looked pale, his fingers twitching at his sides like he wasn’t sure if he should step forward or run.That look. Caspian knew it well. Fear. But there was something else beneath it hesitation. Whatever news his assistant had come to de
The door slammed shut with a resounding thud that echoed through the sleek, silent office. Caspian stood there for a moment, chest heaving as he stared at the glass panels that reflected the storm brewing in his eyes. His hand shot up, raking through his dark hair, the strands sticking up in chaotic defiance.“Elowen,” he hissed, the name rolling off his tongue like a curse. His voice was venomous, laced with anger so sharp it could cut glass. His fists curled tightly at his sides, his knuckles turning white. “You’ll pay for this. Mark my words you’ll pay.”He crossed the room in a few long strides, yanking the phone off its cradle with such force that the cord rattled. His thumb jabbed at the buttons, and the phone barely had time to ring before a voice answered.“Get the boardroom ready,” he barked, his tone brooking no argument. “Twenty minutes. I’ll address the directors myself.”“Understood, sir,” came the swift reply.He slammed the phone back down, the metallic clink reverberat
Elowen leaned back in her sleek leather chair, the dim glow of the computer screen casting sharp shadows across her face. The rhythmic clatter of keyboard strokes filled the room as comments flooded the live broadcast feed. Her sharp nails tapped against the desk in a slow, deliberate rhythm, her lips curling into a predatory smile.The chaos she’d unleashed was unfolding beautifully. Words of outrage, shock, and support poured in—each comment another nail in Caspian’s coffin. The scandal was festering in real time, exactly as she had planned.Her phone buzzed against the glass tabletop, the faint vibration breaking the silence. She glanced at it casually, her amusement undisturbed. The message preview blinked on the screen:“Don’t mess with me, Elowen. You’ll regret it. Time to go back to your city.”A dry laugh bubbled in her throat, low and mocking. She picked up the phone and read the message again, her amusement deepening. “Regret?” she murmured, setting the phone back down with
The air was crisp and quiet, a blanket of calm resting over the village. The morning sun painted everything in soft gold, yet the two competing teams emerged with vastly different energy. Lucy’s team radiated confidence, their consistent wins reflected in their growing stash of food supplies. The aroma of spices and vegetables already filled their corner as they prepared for the day’s challenge.Lucy stretched, the corners of her lips tugging into a smile as she turned to her team. “So, what’s on the menu this morning?” she asked, her voice carrying over the murmur of the nearby crew adjusting their cameras.Orion scratched his head, his other hand rubbing his stomach. “I’m thinking boiled eggs and rice. Something simple but filling,” he said with a grin.Sylvaine and Vivian exchanged glances before nodding enthusiastically.“Rice and eggs it is,” Lucy declared, clapping her hands together. “I’ll handle the cooking. You all take care of the prep work.”“I’ll get firewood,” Orion volun
Maddy leaned back in his chair, the dim glow of the California city lights streaming through the restaurant’s glass window. The man across from him, Soren, fidgeted with his phone, stealing nervous glances at Maddy’s hulking frame. Maddy’s phone buzzed on the table, and he picked it up, answering with a deep, deliberate tone.“Boss, your assistant is here with me,” he said, his voice steady.On the other end of the line, Lysander’s voice was calm, almost cold. “Good. Has he been briefed?”“Yes. We’re parked across the street from her apartment. My team is ready.”“Then listen carefully,” Lysander said, his tone hardening. “Bring her back to Apex Grove tonight. Do it quietly. Not a single hair on her head should be harmed she’s critical to my plans.”Maddy nodded, though Lysander couldn’t see him. “Understood. I’ll wrap this up quickly.”“See that you do,” Lysander replied, the line going dead.Maddy slipped his phone into his pocket and turned to Soren, whose knuckles were white as he
The group split into two as the sun climbed higher in the sky. Lucy’s team headed toward the village chief’s residence, where eager children waited for their lessons, while Jeremy’s team set out for the best farmer’s house in the village. Cameramen followed both teams, broadcasting every move live to an online audience hungry for drama and entertainment.Lucy adjusted her cap as she stepped through the dusty village path, the camera zooming in on her determined expression. Around her, the chatter of her team mingled with the soft rustle of leaves in the morning breeze. When they reached the large wooden gate of the village chief's home, he was already waiting for them, his face breaking into a smile."I was thrilled when I saw you coming," he said, stepping forward to greet Lucy. His hands were calloused from years of hard work, but his grip was firm. "And thank you again for the tractor. Ever since you repaired it, work has been so much easier."Lucy forced a smile, brushing stray st
Lysander pushed open the heavy wooden door to his mansion, the soft hum of his car engine fading as the automatic garage door sealed behind him. The quiet opulence of his home greeted him: marble floors gleamed under ambient lighting, and the faint aroma of cedarwood lingered in the air.He shrugged off his blazer, tossing it onto the back of a chair before making his way upstairs. His room was spacious yet cold, the kind of space that screamed wealth but lacked warmth. He paced to the floor-to-ceiling windows, sliding them open just enough to let the cool night breeze touch his face.A smug grin spread across his lips as he pulled out his phone. The call connected after two rings.“Soren,” he said, his voice carrying an undercurrent of authority.“Sir?”“I need you to find someone,” Lysander began, his words deliberate. “Emmanuelle.”There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Emmanuelle? Sir, isn’t she… dead? The news said Lucy killed her. It was all over the media.”Lysander c
The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the makeshift camp. The live broadcast had ended for the day, the cameras folded away with practiced efficiency, and the crew dispersed. The participants trudged to the house rented for them, their excitement fading into shock the moment they crossed the threshold.The place was barebones. The air was stale, the light dim from a single weak bulb. There was no running water, no electricity beyond the faint hum of a generator that seemed ready to die at any moment. The beds single, creaky frames with thin, worn-out mattresses were lined up like props in a scene meant to invoke discomfort.Sylvaine, her hair perfectly styled despite the day’s activities, stood in the doorway of her room, her mouth opening and closing like a fish. “This… this is it?” she muttered, her voice trembling with disbelief. She turned to Mr. Douglas, her stiletto heels clicking against the uneven floorboards. “Are we really staying here?”Mr. Douglas