After returning from Ardane University, Durrell Landon's surrounding dark and eerie aura made Oliver Gale, who was already accustomed to it, somewhat uncomfortable. Seeing Durrell finish his phone call, he finally couldn't hold back and asked:
"Strange, why isn't that Sutton girl here? Didn't she return to Imperial View Manor with you?"
Durrell looked up at Oliver Gale: "You miss her a lot?"
Clearly, his gaze was calm and unperturbed, but Oliver Gale felt a sudden shiver, instinctively swallowing hard.
"No."
He didn't know what happened on the way to campus, but he knew very well that it was best not to mention that girl at this time.
...
Quiana Sutton had not left her apartment for four consecutive days; she felt dizzy, as if she had been dreaming a lot.
She dreamed of kneeling in the snow, forced to swallow poison, almost dying.
She dreamed of her grandfather bringing home a girl who replaced her identity and name; she endured the disdainful yet schadenfreude-filled gazes of everyone at the Sutton Estate, gazes that left her with nowhere to hide, unable to escape.
She dreamed of being locked in a confinement room for a whole month because she couldn't achieve her grandfather's goals.
When she emerged from that confinement room, she saw a boy also brought back by her grandfather.
She thought he wasn't part of the Sutton family and wouldn't make her life so suffocating, but she hadn't expected him to be the culprit pushing her to a more despairing abyss.
...
She dreamed of herself walking down desolate streets towards the setting sun, step by step; she was a lone warrior with no way home, but could only march forward to her destination without hesitation...
She didn't know how long she had been engulfed by that darkness until it drowned her completely.
It was then that a phone rang, and she instinctively answered it.
"Hello—"
Due to drinking and not having gotten up yet, her voice was a bit hoarse but surprisingly alluring; what should have been anger from Grace Sutton felt like being doused with cold water, disappearing without a trace, leaving a faint resentment:
"I sent you so many messages yesterday, and you didn't reply to a single one."
Upon hearing Grace Sutton's voice, she quickly flipped up from the sofa, accidentally bumping into empty bottles scattered on the floor; they clashed together, creating a "ping-ping-pong-pong" sound, which Grace recognized as the sound of bottles.
"You're drinking?"
Quiana Sutton pinched her brow: "I drank a few bottles, but I'm sober now."
Grace Sutton stared speechlessly at the ceiling: "Do you remember today is the first day of reality show filming? As a hangover sufferer, are you sure you can partake in such physically demanding outdoor activities?"
When she heard today was the first day of filming, the confusion in Quiana Sutton's mind instantly disappeared without a trace.
"What time does it start?"
Grace Sutton casually replied: "Ten o'clock, it's already eight-thirty now, you have an hour and a half to get to the site."
"That's enough."
After hanging up, she immediately went to wash up; cold water splashed on her face, and the bewilderment in her eyes gradually receded, replaced by clarity.
No matter what, this path is one she must walk alone.
Knowing this reality show was outdoors, she specifically chose looser clothing.
With her hair tied in a ponytail and wearing casual attire, she rushed to the filming site, causing Grace Sutton to pause in surprise when seeing her.
At the very least, even without special dressing up, some makeup would have sufficed.
"Cece, today is a live broadcast; being bare-faced might not be quite appropriate."
She wasn't too concerned: "I'm filming with a bunch of men today, not walking a red carpet, so I don't need makeup. Besides, I'm beautiful enough without it."
Grace Sutton: "..."
If anyone else said this, she'd definitely retort with vanity, but when Quiana says it, it seems perfectly natural, because it's entirely true.
"Anyway, during the live broadcast, do your best. If it really doesn't work, we'll withdraw; safety first."
Only then did Quiana Sutton realize something was off; Grace said "broadcast" instead of "filming."
"What's going on? How did it suddenly turn into a live broadcast?"
Grace Sutton explained helplessly: "I already messaged you days ago, didn't you see it? The program team made a last-minute change; a live streaming app saw the topical potential and traffic, so sponsored this show.
Besides, the male guests this time are quite capable; don't be fooled, Axius Somerville may be the hottest new idol singer, but he was also a former national karate champion.
As for Joseph Grant, he's from the third generation of prominent families and reportedly underwent intense training since childhood, possessing first-class skills. As for Silas Shaw, Asher Shepherd, and Dylan Nash, their skills might not match the first two, but they're skilled performers, definitely more than sufficient compared to ordinary people.
The program team agreed to collaborate with that live streaming app.
However, rest assured, there are guards secretly protecting us, so there shouldn't be any life-threatening situations."
The only thing that annoyed her was the show's establishment of a personal reward channel.
A rose costs ten dollars, a gemstone one thousand, a castle ten thousand.
Whoever's fans spend more will have a higher rank.
Is the show trying to judge whose fans are wealthier?
Axius Somerville is definitely first, that's unquestionable; she'd never aimed for first, but hoped Cece wouldn't rank last.
She felt uncertain inside.
If Cece ends up ranking last in this show, she might be mocked for months.
Before the show officially began, the coordinator had the guests familiarize themselves with each other.
Except for Axius Somerville, the others all had varying expressions upon seeing Quiana Sutton.
Joseph Grant took advantage of his family wealth and power, treating his entrance into entertainment as a whim, never taking anyone seriously.
As for Quiana Sutton, he didn't know her, but often heard his female companions gossiping about her, so naturally felt much disdain towards her.
Toying with his Swiss Army Knife, he sneered: "Contestants like you in this show end up in a situation like a rabbit mistakenly entering a world of wolves? Just don't end up scared and wetting your pants."
The show was being filmed right in front of a forest with restricted entry signs. This forest was surrounded by barbed wire, partially artificial; nobody knew what wild creatures might be lurking inside.
Quiana Sutton glanced at him indifferently: "The same words apply to you; remember not to end up scared and wetting your pants."
"You—"
He had been adored at home and smooth sailing in entertainment; no one had ever dared defy him.
On the verge of completely losing it, it was Dylan Nash who stepped in.
"Both of you calm down. Being guests together is a fate, there's no need for such unpleasantness."
He glanced at Joseph Grant and spoke gently: "Mr. Grant, don't bother arguing with a girl's words."
Dylan Nash, being the eldest of the six and quite upright, had a good reputation in entertainment, and Joseph Grant did him the favor.
Turning away with a huff, he no longer paid attention to Quiana Sutton.
However, expecting him to apologize was impossible.
Dylan Nash hadn't counted on Joseph Grant apologizing; now that the confrontation ceased, he was somewhat relieved.
Walking over to Quiana Sutton, he spoke gently:
"Miss Sutton, Joseph Grant is spoiled by his family, don't mind it. Though this reality show is called 'Outdoor Survival Challenge,' the production team won't create any genuine dangers, at most it'll be some pranks, so you don't need to be too anxious."
Quiana Sutton glanced at Dylan Nash, and hummed lightly in response.