Except for me, everyone else knew the live cameras were rolling. They all teamed up to play me, keeping me completely in the dark while they praised me to the skies. Whoever managed to steal my first kiss would win a fifty-million-dollar bonus. After Carter Harrison won my first kiss, he wiped his mouth vigorously and furiously rinsed it out with mouthwash. "If it weren't for the money, who would ever kiss a fat, ugly loser?" The entire internet erupted in a wave of mass mockery aimed right at me. [Why did she actually think a hot guy like him would ever fall for a pig like her?] When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the exact moment where I had to choose between "Romance" and "Prize Money." "Of course I choose Romance," I said. "I'm a hopeless romantic, after all." It didn't matter. I still had one last chance to switch my choice before the show ended. This time, I was going to take the money and the clout. 1 Waking up from my afternoon nap, having just selected my Romance Gem, I walked into the bathroom. I sat on the edge of the tub, buried my face in my hands, and laughed silently until my sides hurt. The humiliation from my past life was still fresh in my mind. Right after that brief peck of a kiss ended. Carter had smiled like a golden retriever, leaned into my ear, and whispered, "Did you eat lemon candy? Why do you taste like cheap air freshener? So gross." Then, he asked the crew for a bottle of water and relentlessly rinsed his mouth. "If it weren't for the money, who would ever kiss a fat, ugly loser?" Damon Sterling had been leaning against the second-floor railing, watching for God knows how long. "Losing the bet isn't so bad," he'd remarked. "If it were me... tsk, I couldn't stomach the kiss anyway." Carter had walked right past me as if I didn't exist. "Rowan, I saw you looking at her. You can have her sloppy seconds." Rowan Hayes had been slouched in a single sofa chair. The living room lights were dim, casting him in shadows. I didn't know how long he'd been enjoying the show. Hearing Carter, he lazily waved a hand. "No thanks. I don't eat fatty meat." It was a sick game played by rich boys. Their good looks and massive wealth were the ultimate filters for their terrible personalities. No matter how cruel they were, the public would just squeal: He's so toxic, but I love him! After the show, they donated a sum of money to charity. And the public magically "forgot" how they had toyed with me. They had a win-win deal with the production crew, raking in massive internet traffic. They boosted their family companies' reputations. And me? In the public's eyes, I became the poster child for a delusional, narcissistic fool. Trying to demand my right to know about the secret livestream only made me look like a sore loser. Pathetic and ridiculous. ... Stepping out of the bathroom stall, I stood in front of the vanity mirror. In the glass, I was wearing a baggy, oversized gray long-sleeve shirt. My face wasn't ugly, but it wasn't stunning either. Soft features, almond eyes, rosy cheeks, and a small mole on the bridge of my nose. Only I knew that beneath the oversized clothes, my figure was incredibly curvy. During puberty, the kids at my old school had nicknamed me "Cow." It caused me to slouch for years, too ashamed to stand up straight. In my world, the opposite sex was purely aggressive. When dealing with them, I was always stiff, shy, and overly cautious. Seeing my timidness, the male cast members easily deduced that I hadn't had my first kiss yet. Without hesitation, they launched their offensive. Three gorgeous guys secretly competing for me—it was the ultimate ratings trap for the show. "Perfect. Now, everyone is in on the secret!" I curved my eyes, adjusting my smile. I washed my face and put on my heavy, thick black-rimmed glasses. I didn't try to change my appearance. I displayed my "flaws" exactly as they were. Because what fun is a game if the prey doesn't play along? 2 "Chloe, you're downstairs! What do you want to eat for dinner?" Carter greeted me with overwhelming enthusiasm. That bright smile used to make me feel so warm and healed. Seeing it now just made me want to throw up. I played dumb, slowly looking up and pushing my heavy glasses up my nose awkwardly. "Hand-cut pappardelle pasta. What about you guys?" They were probably just going to boil some plain vegetables. Their main goal was just to look good for the cameras. The fridge was fully stocked with ingredients. I had no intention of eating rabbit food with them. After all, to play by their "rules," I hadn't brought any of my own snacks, but they definitely weren't following the rules. Carter's smile froze. "You're eating that heavy for dinner?" In my past life, this asshole invited me to eat his boiled spinach. It was so salty I had to drink a whole pitcher of water. Having a soft temper became my original sin. The livestream audience despised me for a long time because of my "weakness." Elena Vance, who was chopping vegetables nearby, chimed in casually. "One look at Chloe and you can tell she's a foodie!" She paused, adding with an apologetic, gentle tone, "I'm not great with words. I didn't mean to imply you were chubby or anything." The gentle beauty, speaking with such earnestness. No one could ever bear to blame her. I lowered my head and forced a strained smile. "It's okay. I'm used to it." If she wants to play the victim card, two can play at that game. I sighed. "I gain weight even just drinking water anyway. Might as well eat whatever I want." Without giving Elena a chance to explain, I walked past her. "Where are the others? Have they eaten?" A head popped up from the side of the couch. "I haven't eaten yet!" The young man wore silver-rimmed glasses and a gentle smile. He leaned back on the sofa, and seeing me look over, raised a hand. "Hey~" Most of the time, Rowan Hayes slouched lazily on the couch with a book. It was hard to imagine that someone who looked so polite and refined... Could look at me and say, "I don't eat fatty meat." I smiled shyly. "Hi." Very polite. Absolutely no romantic shyness. Without missing a beat, I walked straight to the kitchen island. I took out the ingredients and expertly began to mix the dough. Rowan shuffled over in his slippers, leaning against the counter. His amber eyes focused on my hands kneading the dough. "I'm not on a diet. Could you make a portion of that pasta for me too?" I shook my head. "No." A stifled laugh came from nearby. Carter caught my eye and immediately put on an innocent expression, though his grin didn't fade. I explained earnestly, "I don't know what everyone else's tastes are. It wouldn't be fair if I cooked for you but not the others. Plus, someone else might get upset." Rowan's cool gaze flickered. His eyes reflected my seemingly panicked expression. "I get it. I was just hoping to be lazy. Can I steal some of your pasta next time?" I replied bluntly, "Who eats pasta every single day?" "Pfft—hahaha!" Carter doubled over laughing. I awkwardly rubbed the tip of my nose, pretending not to know I just smeared flour on it. I looked at their reactions and muttered, "Sorry. I'm not very good at talking to people." Rowan grabbed a paper towel and sighed in amusement. "You got flour on your nose." 3 I instinctively reached out to take the towel, but both my hands were covered in flour. "..." I looked at him with pleading eyes. "I'll help you." He leaned across the counter toward me. I knew my eyelashes were long. My eyes were my best feature, followed by the bridge of my nose, which gave my face a nice bone structure. My best friend always said I had a clean, unassuming face, but a body built for sin. I tilted my face up slightly, leaning in obediently. I met his gaze without any defenses. My almond eyes were clear and pure. He paused for a split second. I tilted my head a bit more, silently urging him. He lightly wiped the flour away with the tissue. I assumed he was done and tried to pull back, but he suddenly cupped the back of my head. "Hold still. Not done yet." I held my breath. In a matter of seconds, my cheeks grew warm. I knew I was blushing. I saw a shallow, amused smile reach his eyes. I knew it—he was taking an interest in the game. Elena's soothing voice broke the tension. "Have you guys looked at the rules yet? Did you pick the Love Seeker or the Gold Hunter?" The show Romance & Gold gave us two choices. A pink gem represented Romance. Gold represented Prize Money. Those who chose the money were the "Gold Hunters." They had to win the affection of a "Love Seeker." Only by being gifted the pink gem from a Love Seeker could they win the ten million dollar prize. But there was a hidden rule I wasn't supposed to know about. [Identify a Love Seeker who still has their first kiss. Kiss them, and win a fifty million dollar jackpot.] Carter declared, "I'm here for love, obviously." Rowan looked at Elena. "Me too." Elena popped a grape into her mouth, looking at Rowan with interest. "Really? Me too! Want a grape?" Rowan didn't refuse, naturally walking away with her. Carter strolled up to me. "What about you, Chloe?" My dough was almost ready. "Weren't we supposed to keep our identities a secret?" He shadowed me, leaning in close. "You're so nervous. Don't tell me you're a Gold Hunter?" I wanted to wash my hands, but they were caked in dough. "Could you help me roll up my sleeves?" He frowned, clearly reluctant to do something so servile. Seeing his hesitation, I just walked away and went straight to Elena. "Elena, could you help me roll—" Elena's smile, which had been bright while talking to Rowan, faded. Before she could react, Rowan stepped in. "I'll do it." His fingers were long and elegant, his skin warm, occasionally brushing against my wrists. He rolled my sleeves up inch by inch, revealing my well-proportioned arms and pale, smooth skin. Touch was the key to building ambiguous tension. And given his experience with women, I knew he could tell from my arms that I wasn't actually fat. "Thank you!" I said, returning to the counter without lingering. Carter wasn't blind. He definitely noticed Rowan paying a bit too much attention to me. As a friend, he knew how Rowan operated. So, he leaned over to me. "I never said I wouldn't help you." The more attention he paid, the more he'd notice. I pressed my lips together into a small smile. "You were busy making soup. I didn't want to bother you." From this distance, he could see my shallow dimple. It was a sweet smile. He clearly zoned out for a second, blinking. "I'm making spinach, not soup." I glanced hesitantly at his pot. "But..." He followed my gaze. The pot was boiling over, the spinach reduced to a mushy disaster. "Crap!" He immediately reached for the pot. I stepped back. "Careful, it's hot!" Clang! The pot tipped, splashing boiling liquid everywhere. I was wearing sandals. The hot liquid splashed right onto my foot. Carter looked horrified, staring at the mess on the floor. Rowan and Elena hurried over, asking in unison, "Are you okay?!" 4 But for a second, no one moved to clean it up. They instinctively looked at me. I faked a brave face. "I'll go get the mop!" I took one step and inhaled sharply, frowning in pain as I lifted my injured foot. "Don't move," Rowan said quickly. He stepped up and scooped me into his arms effortlessly. I nervously hooked my arms around his neck. It looked like I was afraid of falling, but really, I was just closing the distance between us until we were breathing the same air. Carter, realizing he couldn't exactly sweep the floor now, followed us, looking guilty. "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to." I let out a soft "Ah," pretending to snap out of a daze to look at him. "It's fine. I'm just worried it'll blister. It's going to be hard to put on pants tomorrow. I didn't bring any skirts, and my wallet was confiscated by the crew... Could someone help me buy a dress?" "I'll have someone buy one," Rowan offered considerately. Carter looked annoyed. "No, I'll buy it. I'm the one who burned her. You have to let me make it up to you!" Elena walked over carrying the first-aid kit. "Oh, let's stop talking about dresses for a second and clean the wound." I looked at her, deeply moved. "Elena, you're so sweet!" In my past life, Carter was into her type. She was the one who constantly made me look like a fool. One by one... anyone who stepped on me, I wouldn't let them off the hook this time. Rowan knelt in front of the sofa, lowering his head to carefully clean my foot with a saline-soaked cotton swab. "Hiss—maybe I should do it?" My pant leg was rolled up, revealing a flawless, pale calf. The red burn mark on my foot was glaringly obvious. My face was flushed red, my toes curling awkwardly. "Stop moving." His breath was burning hot. It brushed against the top of my foot. It felt strange. I reminded myself: It's just a physical reaction. Normal. "Carter, could you pass me a tissue?" I asked. Rowan was showing enough interest. Carter was lagging behind. Carter's attention had been entirely on my foot. He took a half-beat to react before grabbing a tissue from the coffee table. I took off my glasses to wipe a white speck off them. Looking around and not seeing a trash can, I naturally held the crumpled tissue out to Carter. He met my eyes, then looked at the tissue in my hand. "Give it to me." Without the heavy black frames dulling my face, and without the gloominess that used to cloud my expression, my eyes were bright and watery. My nose was delicate, my lips full. I wasn't a jaw-dropping bombshell, but I had a clean, alluring charm. It was the kind of innocent "girl-next-door" beauty that drove guys crazy. My best friend used to say: Before you take your clothes off, you look completely harmless. Once the clothes are gone, you're a walking temptation. Seeing this, Carter was hooked. Otherwise, with his fake-friendly, secretly arrogant personality, he never would have taken my trash with his bare hands. The fish had taken the bait. 5 When Damon Sterling and Sierra Montgomery returned, I was blushing while holding up a dress. Elena smiled gracefully. "This is a new arrival from Catherine's boutique. Don't be shy, Chloe, go try it on! It's a gift from Carter, after all." I shook my head under Carter's expectant, puppy-dog gaze. "I can't wear this. It's too expensive." Sierra clicked her heels across the floor and tossed her purse casually onto the couch. "What are you guys doing?" It was a million-dollar Birkin, tossed like trash. Just looking at it, I knew the live chat was probably screaming. Sierra was a spoiled, wealthy heiress. She was arrogant, demanding, and blunt. In reality, her family's company was bleeding money. She came on this show specifically to secure a marriage alliance with Damon's family. Damon was her target. In my past life, because I was their "target," Sierra hated me. She constantly used me to make herself look better. Elena explained what had happened. Sierra scoffed. "What do you mean 'too expensive'? You just can't fit into it, right?" Carter shook his head, replying instantly. "Impossible. I told them to bring the largest size they had." Elena urged me, "Don't feel bad accepting it. A dress like this is nothing to him." My face burned bright red. I stammered, "I can't! T-the chest is too small!" Rowan let out a muffled laugh. "It definitely won't fit. Her waist isn't that thick either." He was sitting closest to me. Somehow, my leg was resting on his thigh. He was still holding the burn ointment. I nervously tucked a strand of long hair behind my ear, revealing a bright red earlobe. "Could someone... help me back to my room?" Carter didn't give Rowan the chance. "My fault for buying the wrong size. I'll carry you up." I leaned softly into his chest. I felt his body instantly tense up. His ears visibly turned red. The energetic puppy was strong. He carried me up to the second floor effortlessly. Just as he was about to set me on the bed, I suddenly leaned right next to his ear. "You have ear piercings. Were you a rebellious kid?" Caught off guard by the teasing, he panicked and tried to pull back. I acted terrified and clung to him, and in the chaos, we tumbled onto the bed together. The soft mattress bounced. "Ow, ow, ow!" I cried out. Being pressed together like that, he suddenly got a very clear understanding of the size of certain... assets. His erratic breathing brushed against my collarbone. He scrambled to push himself up. Our eyes met, his gaze entirely scrambled. I had a tear in the corner of my eye from the pain. "Did I press on your burn?!" His face was completely red as he scrambled to inspect my foot. I knew it was time for phase two. 6 [Live Chat] [Omg, Carter looks like he's about to spontaneously combust!] [Ahhhh! This is so spicy!] [Arrogant, awkward puppy boy! I'm dying!] [I swear, could Chloe step aside so I can take her place for two days?!] [Carter stealing the chance to carry Chloe, and Rowan's face... I'm laughing so hard.] [I really want to know her measurements now. Am I the only one who remembers that?] [Girl, you're not alone. Did you hear Rowan say her waist wasn't thick at all?] That evening, I received some special treatment from the crew. They brought me a beautifully plated bento box. Sierra saw it when she walked in and smiled mockingly. "Wow, quite the feast. Wish I was the one who got burned." In my past life, I would have been so embarrassed by her sarcasm that I wouldn't know what to say. Now, knowing this was live, her motive was obvious. She was using me as a stepping stone to cement her "spoiled but straightforward princess" persona. "Trust me, you don't. It hurts way too much." I happily picked up a piece of pork katsu. "If you want some, I can secretly feed you a bite." Sierra choked on her words, looking me up and down. "No thanks. I'm on a diet." I happily munched on my katsu. I didn't look lonely or sad about being rejected. It made her look at me several times. Compared to Sierra's blunt probing, Elena was much higher level. She looked at my bandaged foot with a worried expression. "Can you still participate normally like this? Maybe we should have the fourth female cast member come early, and you can go home and rest for a bit?" Did she really think the producers would listen to her? I looked at my food, understanding her game. The internet was probably blowing up about me. Otherwise, they wouldn't be this "nice." The producers needed me to keep dragging the guys along. They would never replace me. "I'm fine. It won't delay anything." I pretended to think hard about it. "Besides, I don't use my feet to date." [Lmao! 'I don't use my feet to date!'] [Honestly, I didn't like Chloe at first, but seeing her aggressively eat that katsu, I'm a fan.] [She's amazing. I thought she was just a frumpy girl, but she can make homemade pasta and she's got two hot guys carrying her around!] [The comments above make no sense, I couldn't even dream this up. Chloe is the goat.] [Do you think she'll get texts from two guys tonight?!] After dinner, I grunted as I tied a plastic bag over my foot. Sierra walked out in her silk pajamas, wearing a sheet mask. "Where are you going?" I hopped toward the door. "Dinner was salty. I'm going to get some water." Elena put down her book. "I'll get it for you!" "Oh, thank you so much, Elena!" I didn't actually need to go out. I had been active enough today. "Sorry for the trouble. If there's anything you want to eat tomorrow, I can cook it for you." Elena's soft eyes smiled. "It's no trouble at all." She took my cup and walked out. A full fifteen minutes passed. She still wasn't back. It seemed she got caught up in something. Who did she run into downstairs? Carter was hyperactive and couldn't sit still. Damon liked to stay in his room and look down from above. The only one likely chilling downstairs was Rowan. No, wait... 7 Damon had come back late today. Maybe he was downstairs making food. They were all on this dating show for ulterior motives. For Damon, the investor, his goal was clear. If the show was a hit, he won. He wouldn't mind generating some drama. Chatting while cooking, some subtle physical contact—it would generate massive traffic. So, the two of them were probably having a great time downstairs. Sierra ripped off her sheet mask and threw it in the trash. Using her signature sarcastic tone, she snapped, "Did she fall into a spider's nest down there?" I packed up my things, letting my long, dark hair down and running my fingers through it. "Maybe she's helping someone." She gave me a meaningful look. "She sure is busy." I suddenly asked, "Oh right, we're supposed to discuss cooking duties tomorrow. Is there anyone you like?" Sierra looked at me, her eyes freezing on my face for a second. She completely ignored my question. "I couldn't tell before, but you're actually really pretty. Why do you hide it?" She was doubting my motives? I touched my face, looking a bit sad. "You're the second person to say I'm pretty." She wanted to use me to build her persona. Why shouldn't I use her right back? I looked at her with shining eyes. "My best friend says I'm too honest and that I slouch too much. But you guys saying I'm pretty makes me really happy." Sierra hadn't expected me to be so vulnerable. She had been full of calculations, but I had answered with pure sincerity. She cleared her throat and changed the subject. "I like Damon." Answering my previous question. Turns out she couldn't handle emotional sincerity. I filed that away. "I like Carter. If we have to draw straws for partners tomorrow, we can secretly trade." She looked at me weirdly. "What do you like about Carter?" I blinked, offering genuine praise. "He seems so energetic. He always brings joy to everyone around him." She stated bluntly, "You and him are a terrible match." I looked at her, surprised. "Why?" Perfect. Keep going. She knew exactly what Carter was like. She knew that if I got involved with him, I'd just be a toy. The fact that she warned me meant she had subconsciously lumped me into the "friend" category. She thought I was just a naive, sweet girl. Sierra leaned against the headboard, flipping through a document. "No reason. If you don't believe me, try dating him. Anyone who makes you feel uncomfortable is a bad match." I smiled, satisfied. "Okay. I'll give it a try." Wooing three guys? Boring. If a girl is only friends with the guys, she gets labeled a pick-me. But if the girls like me too? Then I'm the untouchable darling of the house. [I was just about to say she's manipulative, but she's just a sincere puppy! My baby! She's smiling but it looks like she's about to cry.] [She really is pretty, her skin is flawless.] [Hearing her talk about her insecurities is breaking my heart.] [I see myself in her. In high school, I was called a pig because of my butt. It wasn't until I started working out that people told me it was actually a good thing.] [Sierra is awesome too! She complimented Chloe immediately. The rich princess is actually a softie.] [But she was definitely throwing shade at Elena.] [Lmao, was she wrong though? Elena is downstairs flirting with Damon. She went to get water for Chloe, but stayed to chop vegetables for him.] [Poor Chloe is just sitting there dying of thirst.] [What the hell? Elena was nice enough to go, you guys are so toxic.] [Getting water isn't an obligation.] [Please, if she couldn't do it, she shouldn't have offered. Now Chloe feels bad going down herself.] 8 I casually asked, "Oh, do you think you and Damon will cook together?" Sierra perked up. "Of course. Rich kids not knowing how to cook is just a stereotype." I left it at that. I went into the bathroom, washed my hair, and wiped myself down. The summer heat was stifling. While in the bathroom, I heard footsteps outside. I smiled. Looks like Sierra realized Damon probably hadn't eaten dinner, and it was him downstairs with Elena. In my past life, Elena and Sierra quickly formed a "besties" alliance and constantly made my life miserable. Would they still become friends now? Not long after, I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Neither of them looked happy. Sierra looked furious, and Elena looked incredibly awkward. I looked around. No water cup. Elena froze when she saw me looking. "Sorry, Chloe, I forgot your water. I'll go get it right now—" Sierra slammed her car keys onto the table. "Tsk. Rely on you and she'd die of dehydration tonight." Looks like things were going even better than I thought. They had openly clashed! "I'll go down myself. My foot only hurts on the top, I can walk fine." I stepped barefoot onto the floor. "I got my foot wet while washing my hair. The first-aid kit is downstairs, so I'll redress the burn while I'm at it." Before either of them could say anything, I walked out and literally slid down the banister. [I am dying laughing.] [Never seen Sierra go off like that.] [It was totally a reality TV 'catching the mistress' moment.] [Omg, Sierra is following her downstairs! Chloe is caught in the crossfire.] [Chloe is a genius, sliding down the banister!] [Hahahaha, they are staring at each other. Chloe looks like a kid caught doing something bad by her parents.] I put away my fake guilt and awkwardly greeted them. "Eating dinner this late?" The man sitting at the table looked cold and distant as he ate. "I finished work late." I had no intention of kissing up to him. In my plan, I wasn't going to woo him directly. Avoiding him would make me stand out and draw his attention. I chugged two huge glasses of water. I grabbed the first-aid kit and retreated to the patio chairs outside to cool off. Rowan had cleaned it earlier, but I needed to put shoes on tomorrow. If the blister didn't pop, my shoe would rub it raw anyway. Sierra pushed the door open and walked out. "Why are you hiding out here?" Seeing her, I forced a smile. "Mild social anxiety. I didn't know what to say to Mr. Sterling, and I didn't want to gross him out by popping a blister while he's eating." She crossed her arms, watching me pierce the blister. I suddenly stopped. "Wait, you aren't out here to play defense, are you?" I gave her a knowing, gossipy look. She rolled her eyes, looking completely annoyed. "What defense? He's not my boyfriend. I was just worried about you, okay?" I clicked my tongue. "Well, your taste is definitely unique. Who likes an ice cube?" Before I even finished, a slow tapping on the glass door made me freeze. I looked up and saw Damon standing in the doorway. My smile vanished instantly, and my spine stiffened defensively. He was the tallest of the guys, his face sharp and unapproachable. Even from a distance, he was intimidating. Compared to the playful Carter and the lazy Rowan... Damon emitted an aura that made people afraid of him. His cool voice carried a hint of mockery. "Who's an ice cube? Me?" I looked at him, then panicked and turned to Sierra, frantically winking at her, practically screaming 'save me' with my eyes.
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