Jasper and Xavier, who had been playing with each other near the pool steps, stopped mid-laugh. Their eyes locked on the scene with shock written all over their faces. What was Zoey doing?Lila, meanwhile, reached the pool’s edge, her hands resting on the tiles as she pulled herself halfway out. The cameras zoomed in perfectly, catching the subtle narrowing of her eyes, her lips pressed together in a tight line. Lila's look screamed of territorial instinct wrapped in composure. The viewers at home ate it up, screenshots of her expression already spreading across social media.Adam, however, remained perfectly still. His expression was stoic.He knew what Zoey was after.She wants a reaction from him, seeing if he'll fall over himself to please her like Jasper and Xavier. If Adam played along, he would become just another one of her simps. If he rejects her too harshly, she’ll spin it into drama, drag Lila into it and force a triangle the cameras will feast on. Her endgame? Spotl

Zoey stormed a step forward, her eyes blazing with fury. She jabbed a manicured finger toward the Bugatti, her voice shrill enough to make even the camera crew wince.“Where the hell did you get that car from?” Adam met her glare with a calm shrug. “Why is that important? I didn’t question any of you about where your cars came from.”Xavier leaned in, his eyes wide with awe. “Dude, did your management hook you up with that car? That is so cool! That thing must’ve cost the earth!”Zoey whipped her head toward Xavier, her glare poisonous. “Xavier, shut up.”Xavier flinched and draw back as if he was slapped in the face. She turned her full fury back on Adam, her voice rising with rage. “I’m asking you one last time. Where did you get it? A nobody like you shouldn’t be able to drive something that expensive.”The air turned electric. Everyone waited for Adam to respond, but before he could, Lila broke forwardShe poked a finger squarely into the sequined fabric covering Zoey’s chest.

The night air was cool against Cleopatra’s skin as she watched Adam and Lila disappear into the show’s mansion. A small, satisfied smile played on her lips. The restaurant footage was pure gold. Xavier’s defection was the twist the season needed, and her client was squarely at the center of it.The night had gone well—better than she anticipated. The buzz online was electric, and Adam’s name was already trending worldwide.As she turned toward her own car, two figures approached. Lila’s manager, a sharp-dressed woman with a tablet perpetually in hand, and Xavier’s agent, a jovial man with a booming laugh.“Cleopatra,” Lila's manager said, offering a genuine smile. “Just wanted to say thank you. My client ratings are souring like crazy.”Xavier’s agent nodded vigorously. “Seriously. And your client… he’s quite the sensation. He’s going to change the whole dynamic of this season. We appreciate your vision.”Cleopatra’s smile widened, a flash of genuine pride in her eyes. “I’m only doi

The crew gasped, and the room buzzed with whispers. But Martin wasn’t finished. His piercing gaze swung to Lila. “And you,” he said sharply, “you and Adam are close. Tell me—are you aware of this? Did you two plan this to humiliate Zoey? Don’t you dare lie to me, or I’ll have you kicked out as well.”But to everyone's shock, Lila straightened, her face pale. “I had nothing to do with this,” she said quickly. “And if Adam did it, I wasn’t part of it. I swear.” She paused as she turned her gaze toward Adam, her lip curling with disgust. “Honestly, Adam… I should’ve known. You’re nothing but a pervert.”Adam froze, his body stiffening at the venomous words from Lila’s lips. Xavier’s brow furrowed, his arms crossed as he took a step forward. “Lila, how could you say that? He's your boyfriend.”“He’s not my boyfriend,” Lila snapped, her tone sharp. She lifted her chin, distancing herself from Adam completely. “We only knew each other on this show. What we had was nothing but for the cam

Martin stormed into the media room, the door slamming against the wall behind him. The air in the control booth was thick with tension, technicians avoiding his furious gaze. His plan had gone up in shambles, thanks to Zoey's inexplicable change of heart."What are you looking at!" he barked at a cowering editor. Before the editor could respond, a calm, smooth voice cut through the air."Martin."He spun around. Cleopatra Monroe stood in the doorway, a faint smile plastered on her lips."Not now, Cleopatra," Martin snarled, turning his back on her. "I'm busy cleaning up the mess your client have caused.""This can't wait," she said, her voice not rising. "There's someone who wants to see you.""I said I'm not going anywhere!" he snapped, whirling back to face her. "Whoever it is can wait until I've finished salvaging this disaster of a season."Cleopatra's smile didn't falter. "That wasn't a request, Martin. Wouldn't you like to finally meet Adam's sponsors?"The words hit him like