I flew back to the States only to find my sister, a rising star, being bullied on a reality show. The culprits? My uncle’s mistress and my ex-boyfriend. The whole internet had branded my sister a desperate gold-digger, and the object of her alleged obsession was an ex I’d grown bored of after just two months. Brooke, the mistress, flaunted a lavish, self-made persona, bankrolled by my family’s money. Meanwhile, my sister, Mia, was ridiculed for showing off a handmade barrette I’d crafted for her as a child, accused of buying cheap knock-offs. Learning all this, I made a snap decision, pouring a significant investment into the show. I was going to walk right onto that set and stand by my sister. The moment Mia and I revealed our true identities, those who’d tormented her stumbled and fell, scrambling to save face. My ex, especially, tried to worm his way back into my life, proposing a reconciliation. I simply offered him a cold, mocking smile. “You, Riley? You were nothing more than a minor plot point in a game my fiancé and I played. There was never any ‘dating,’ so what exactly are we ‘reconciling’?” 1 The day I landed back in the States, my butler was already there, phone in hand, showing me a live stream. It was Heartstrings Unscripted, America’s hottest reality dating show, boasting astronomical viewership thanks to its live format. And my sister, Mia, was one of its featured cast members. On screen, Mia sat hunched in a corner, eyes rimmed with red, clearly nursing a raw wound. The frantic scroll of comments flying across the screen quickly filled in the blanks. Mia, following the show’s format, was paired with Riley Hayes, a popular up-and-coming actor, for a three-day challenge. But Riley was openly flirting with Brooke Vance, a former actress who’d recently reignited her career. He’d even declared his preference for Brooke, telling Mia to “know her place.” Normally, this wouldn’t be a catastrophe. But Riley consistently teamed up with Brooke, leaving Mia high and dry. When Mia, desperate to complete a task so she wouldn’t starve, approached Riley for help, Brooke had chimed in with a saccharine-laced jab. “Mia, sweetie, you seem really fond of Riley. Little girls are just so clingy, aren’t they? Riley, why don’t you go with her?” Riley was quick to jump in, “She only picked me as her partner because she won the last game. I never said I’d actually cooperate.” The chat instantly erupted with praise for Riley: “What a stand-up guy!” “So honorable!” Fans gushed over Riley and Brooke’s undeniable chemistry. Meanwhile, my sister, who’d worked tirelessly to win that game, was slammed as a desperate clinger, accused of trying to ride Riley’s coattails. Seeing this, I couldn’t help but let out a cold snort. Riley, “honorable”? Even he wouldn’t dare utter such a lie. I immediately had my assistant contact the show’s director, instructing them to add a new segment. I was buying my way in. Within minutes, I received a confirmation: I’d join as a “special guest,” a family member. “Ms. Hayes,” my assistant cautioned, “going on the show yourself might invite some backlash.” After all, the internet rarely looks kindly upon those who buy their way onto a set. “No matter,” I replied, unconcerned. “I’m not in this for the money.” I quickly changed into a fresh outfit and headed straight for the live set. Someone needed to make it crystal clear that my sister wasn’t some random nobody anyone could push around. By the time I arrived, Mia had already retreated to her room, crying. I glanced at the live chat; the insults were still piling up. 【Mia’s so dramatic. The show never said Riley had to cooperate just because she picked him, right?】 【Cry when you don’t get your way? That’s her only move?】 【Can this Mia just leave? I only want to see Riley and Brooke’s sweet romance.】 The director quickly introduced me to the audience, and then I stepped into frame. “No way? Both sisters trying to milk this for clout?” “Is the show really coddling Mia? They’re calling her sister in because she’s upset?” Ignoring the rapidly scrolling comments, I walked directly to Mia’s door and knocked. Just then, Riley emerged from his own room, freezing at the sight of me. “You… you’re…?” He was clearly stunned by my presence, yet he tried to feign ignorance, as if we’d never met. I swept my gaze over him, a slow, dismissive appraisal, then curled my lips into a knowing smile. “Well, well. Looks like you’ve certainly upgraded since I last saw you.” “What are you talking about? Do I know you?” A flicker of panic, quick as lightning, darted through Riley’s eyes. I simply raised a brow, the smile lingering, and said nothing more. Of course, he’d panic at the sight of me. Years ago, before he’d even broken into the industry, I’d… well, I’d kept him for two months. Only two months, mind you. He was too childish. I was paying for his upkeep, and he wouldn’t even pour me a glass of water. If I hadn’t been so swamped with work, I would have kicked him out much sooner. “Blair! When did you get back? I missed you so much!” Before I could reply to Riley, the door swung open, and Mia launched herself into my arms. She clung to me, trembling like a wounded fawn. I spared a brief glance at Riley, a silent warning in my gaze. But the internet, predictably, twisted it. 【OMG, both sisters like the same guy? This Blair isn’t any better.】 2 Mia and I retreated into her room. She didn’t mention the bullying, only asking why I was on the show. When I told her I was a guest, her eyes widened in surprise. Given the live stream, she didn’t press further. Just then, Riley and Brooke knocked. “Mia, sweetie, I convinced Riley to come do the task with you! I won a challenge today, so I can use my own money to treat us to dinner. You and your sister should come along!” My sister, bless her heart, was so naive, so sheltered. Brooke was clearly trying to subtly flaunt her “generosity” and “influence,” but Mia, beaming, simply said, “Oh, thank you, Brooke! I’ve been starving all day!” Predictably, Mia was slammed again. 【She’s got some nerve. Brooke won that prize fair and square, just being polite, and Mia’s actually going?】 【Never seen anyone so shameless. Can she please not bring her sister along to be a third wheel?】 【‘Starved all day’? More like she just didn’t try to do the tasks.】 Mia tugged me out, but as we approached the car, Brooke feigned a look of embarrassment. “The show only assigned a four-seater car… and there are five of us.” I scrolled through the comments on my phone, noting how everyone was praising Brooke’s beauty and kindness. I raised a brow and quietly put my phone away. “If I’m not mistaken,” I said, my gaze resting on Brooke, “this car was Mia’s reward for completing a task.” Brooke’s smile faltered slightly. “Yes… yes, it was. But I’m inviting you to dinner, right? You wouldn’t really make me walk, would you? It’s fine, really, I can just walk.” She was playing the victim, using reverse psychology. I could already picture the vitriol that would flood the chat. Mia started to speak, but I shot Brooke a friendly smile. “You misunderstand. I simply meant, we can’t let you treat us for nothing. I’ll drive.” With that, I opened the back passenger door and gestured. “The show’s partners should sit together. You two hop in. Mia can ride shotgun.” Brooke was officially partnered with another actor, Jake Miller, on the show. By bringing Jake into the equation, I made it impossible for her to publicly switch him out for Riley. She could only manage an awkward laugh and climb in. Everyone settled, leaving Riley no seat. He looked frantic. “I’m Mia’s partner too! I can drive!” He reached for the car keys in my hand. I leaned against the driver’s side door, watching him with a knowing smile. “My sister chose you, but you were forced. Let’s not force anything, then. Everyone will be happier.” I threw Riley’s own words back at him, and his face instantly darkened. Then, the back window lowered, and Brooke leaned out. “Mia’s sister, I only managed to finish my task because Riley helped me. Wouldn’t it be rude to go to dinner without him?” I caught Brooke’s eye, a silent jab, implying I was planning to freeload. I crossed my arms, speaking slowly. “Then you two can get out. Mia and I will handle our own dinner.” Brooke, hearing this, suddenly lost her temper. She flung open the car door. “Fine, we’ll get out! Anyway, the show told me to use my own money today!” She stepped out, then turned to Mia. “Mia, you better think this through. You still haven’t finished your task. You have a car, but you won’t eat. I can pay for my own meal.” “What exactly are you trying to say?” I asked, my voice still sweet, but my eyes fixed on Brooke. “Are you threatening my sister to abandon her own flesh and blood? Or just bragging that my sister’s assigned partner helped you complete your task, leaving her to starve?” I kept my smile, laying bare every trap in her words. “That’s not what I meant at all!” Brooke stammered, quickly backtracking. I chuckled softly. “Of course not. I’m sure you wouldn’t. Since you can spend money, why don’t you just call a cab and head to dinner?” With that, I opened the driver’s door and slid inside, turning to look at Jake, who was still in the back seat. “If you don’t want to be a third wheel, I don’t mind having one more person join us.” 3 Jake was an industry veteran, well aware of the game. Brooke and Riley were milking their "romance" for publicity, Mia was the sacrificial lamb, and he was just a prop. “I’d appreciate that, Blair.” So, Jake didn’t move. He, too, saw no appeal in being a pointless third wheel. 【So, she’s breaking up the TV couple?】 【Good! Brooke and Riley are so much better together.】 【LOL, Blair tried to show off for Riley and totally crashed and burned.】 【Riley’s Mia’s partner. Brooke got help from him to finish her task, then turned around and mocked Mia for not finishing hers. That’s pretty messed up.】 【You don’t get it! This is all staged by the show for drama! Jake’s such a softy. Why give the Hayes sisters a pass? He should have just gotten out.】 I was about to start the car when Brooke tapped on the window. “Something wrong?” I lowered it. Brooke put on a friendly facade. “The show rules state we can’t use our own money. Even as a new guest, you have to follow the rules.” “I know,” I replied, nodding. “But if you want to eat something, I can pay for you.” I looked at Brooke, knowing she was trying to score points with the audience. “Thanks, but no thanks. I’m worried I might max out your card.” 【Blair is so ungrateful.】 【This woman is pure trash. Brooke is being so kind, and she’s just throwing shade.】 【These two Hayes sisters are something else. One’s a crybaby faker, the other’s a pretentious schemer.】 “Blair… you, you shouldn’t say that.” Mia tugged at my sleeve, trying to remind me we were on a live stream. I rolled up the window and started the car. “I’m just telling the truth, Mia. I’m genuinely thinking of her finances.” The online backlash raged throughout the drive. It wasn’t until I pulled up to The Obsidian Room, the nation’s largest and most exclusive restaurant chain, that the commentators had to admit one thing: the “max out your card” line might have been true. “Are you sure we’re eating here?” Jake asked, breaking the silence that had settled in the car. “Absolutely,” I confirmed. “Where else would we go?” “The production team won’t pay for this,” Jake warned again. I nodded. “I don’t expect them to. They couldn’t afford it anyway.” This place was one of the top restaurants in the country, even internationally. Breathing inside felt expensive. After all, the entrance fee alone was ten thousand dollars per person. The hostess approached, asking if we had a reservation. Mia, unfazed, simply clung to my arm, looking around with wide-eyed curiosity. Jake, trailing behind, looked increasingly anxious, probably regretting his decision. “Should’ve stayed in the car,” I could almost hear him mutter. The production crew, too, were sweating. They knew an investor had forced me onto the show, but they had no idea I was the investor. They were probably racking their brains trying to figure out how to bill me for the meal later. I produced a small card. The hostess’s eyes widened as she quickly scanned it. She immediately bowed, her voice dripping with warmth. “Ms. Hayes, right this way.” 【OMG! She actually got in?!】 【What card did she just use? A black card? If it’s a black card, that still counts as using her own money!】 【The penthouse suite! That’s an impossible reservation to get!】 【Is this sister actually a rich heiress?】 “What was that card? How did we just walk in? Three of us, plus three camera operators… ten grand each, you seriously…?” Jake looked at me with genuine concern. I nudged my chin at the card I’d just shown, which was now back in my hand. “Just a business card. Sometimes, knowing the right people works better than flashing a credit card.” 4 I didn’t just bring the camera crew inside; I even arranged a private room for the rest of the production staff. “Blair,” Mia said, glancing at her phone, “Brooke just texted, asking where we are. She wants to pay for us.” I chuckled. “Text her the address. Whether they come is their problem.” Jake looked at the table laden with exquisite dishes, giving me a thumbs-up from across the table. “Seriously rich.” This meal alone would easily run into six figures. I simply raised a brow, a knowing smile playing on my lips. Being rich was my least remarkable quality, and yet, it was undeniably the most practical. Soon, Brooke and Riley arrived, but it wasn't them who first entered our private room. It was the restaurant manager. “Ms. Hayes, there are two individuals at the entrance claiming to be with your party.” I took a slow sip of my exorbitantly priced nutrient smoothie. “Ah, yes. They’re here to pay for me.” The manager scrutinized my expression, then immediately understood. “Understood. I’ll arrange it immediately.” Brooke and Riley never made it to our table. They waited by the entrance until we finished our meal. “Did you… did you use your own money?” Brooke pressed, her voice laced with an urgent curiosity. When they’d tried to enter the restaurant, the entrance fee alone had been twenty thousand dollars for the two of them. It felt like highway robbery. “Nope.” I waited for the valet to bring my car around. Brooke, unconvinced, followed me, pushing further. “You didn’t use your own money? Did the production team pay for you? Your meal was so expensive, even if the show is good for covering expenses, the place you chose was just… too much.” “Was it expensive?” I countered. Brooke pondered for a moment. “I know you wanted to experience something lavish, but the production team has a budget. What you did was a bit inappropriate. Maybe you should sign an IOU with the show? They’re so understanding, you can pay them back slowly.” “Brooke,” Jake interjected, sensing the need to protect his nominal partner, “Blair didn’t pay for the meal.” He, too, saw an opportunity to earn some goodwill from the audience. I understood his motive and didn’t mind giving him a little boost. Brooke froze. “Didn’t pay? What do you mean? Did you just… dine and dash?” Jake didn’t know how to explain. The meal had made it clear to him that my identity was far from ordinary. So, faced with Brooke’s relentless questioning, he simply fell silent. “Ms. Hayes, our owner just called specifically to prepare a gift for you.” The restaurant manager hurried out, carrying a selection of jewelry and a set of car keys. “How terribly gauche,” I muttered, taking the items and tossing them to Mia. I didn’t bother to explain further, simply got into my car and drove off. Mia held up the jewelry, comparing each piece to her ears. “Blair, these earrings are beautiful!” Her eyes sparkled. “Good,” I replied. “When we get back, run my bath. I need to soak.” “No problem, Blair! With me here, you can just relax.” She promptly put the earrings on herself. Back at the filming location, after my bath in Mia’s room, she told me everyone was gathering downstairs. I emerged, still wearing a face mask. “Tomorrow, each pair of partners will choose one person to take the other home for dinner. You can meet family or friends.” The director had barely finished speaking when Riley suddenly stood up. “Director, I’d like to switch partners.” Riley’s announcement stunned everyone. Brooke, in particular, looked flushed with shy pleasure, clearly flattered that Riley would openly defy the show for her. Only I watched Riley with an amused, knowing glint in my eyes. “You want to switch partners, Riley? Is it because you don’t want to go to my house, or are you worried about Mia coming to yours?” “Then again, if I were you, I’d be scared too.”
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