The eight celebrities stood in front of the enormous villa, cameras surrounding them from almost every direction.
The villa was spectacular.
It had three floors, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a large swimming pool, a beautiful garden, an outdoor dining area, a gym, a huge kitchen, and eight luxurious bedrooms.
The production team had transformed the entire place into a filming location.
Every movement could be captured from different angles.
Lillian stood among the other celebrities with her hands loosely folded in front of her, quietly observing everything.
She had barely arrived, yet she already felt like she had stepped into another world.
The director walked toward them.
He was a serious-looking man in his forties, with a headset around his neck and a tablet in his hand.
Unlike some variety-show directors who joked around with celebrities, he looked like someone who expected everyone to follow instructions.
“Everyone, listen carefully.”
The celebrities stopped talking.
“This is a reality show.
That means I don’t want you performing for the cameras every second.
I want your natural personalities.
If you’re angry, we want to see it.
If you’re happy, we want to see it.
If you dislike someone, don’t pretend you suddenly love them just because we’re filming.”
Several celebrities exchanged looks.
The director continued.
“And one more thing.
Do not deliberately create drama just because you think it will increase your screen time.”
Lillian almost smiled.
That was probably the first sensible thing she’d heard all morning.
The director looked toward the cameras.
“We’re broadcasting your experience because people want to see what celebrities are really like when they’re living together.”
The live comment section was already moving quickly.
@DramaQueen88: Finally!
I want to see their real personalities.
@SerenaForever: Serena is going to dominate this show.
❤️
@LilyWatcher: I still don’t understand why Lillian was invited.
@MovieFan22: Because she’s an actress?
@LilyWatcher: C-list actress.
There are better choices.
@RealTalk001: Let’s see what she can actually do first.
The director raised eight cards.
“Before you choose your rooms, you’re going to earn them.”
The celebrities immediately became curious.
“How?” Nina asked.
The director pointed toward the villa.
“Escape room.”
A few of them laughed.
Lillian’s eyes brightened slightly.
The director noticed.
“You look interested, Lillian.”
“I like puzzles.”
Chloe immediately turned toward her.
“You do?”
Lillian nodded.
“A little.”
Chloe’s eyes lit up.
“I like you already!”
Lillian laughed.
“You don’t even know me.”
“I’ve watched some of your interviews.”
Chloe moved closer to her.
“You’re funny.”
Lillian looked amused.
“Thank you.”
“You’re prettier in person too.”
“Thank you again.”
“And your skin is really nice.”
Lillian laughed.
“That’s enough compliments for one morning.”
Chloe giggled.
“I haven’t finished.”
The cameras caught the interaction.
The audience immediately noticed Chloe’s bubbly personality.
@ChloeBaby: Chloe is so cute!
😂
@DramaWatcher21: She’s already attached to Lillian.
@LilyFan001: I didn’t expect these two to get along.
@SerenaBaby: Chloe is being too friendly.
She doesn’t even know Lillian.
The director cleared his throat.
“Back to the challenge.”
Chloe reluctantly stepped away from Lillian.
The director continued.
“You will be divided into two groups of four.”
He held up the cards.
“Group A and Group B.”
The celebrities moved closer.
The first card was revealed.
“Serena Blake.”
Serena smiled.
She was a C-list actress, just like Lillian, but she had built a carefully polished image around herself.
She was known for playing sweet, innocent characters and maintaining the same gentle personality during interviews.
She also had a strong fanbase.
And plenty of anti-fans.
The moment her name appeared on the screen, the comments filled up.
@SerenaQueen: Our girl!
❤️
@SerenaBaby: Serena is the prettiest woman here.
@NoFakeStars: I don’t understand the Serena hype.
@ActressFan09: She’s overrated.
@SerenaForever: At least she has talent.
The director revealed the next celebrity.
“Lucas Han.”
Lucas was an A-list actor with several blockbuster dramas behind him.
He was handsome, confident and known for being friendly with almost everyone.
@LucasWife: MY HUSBAND!
😭❤️
@DramaLover88: Lucas is finally on a reality show!
Next came Marcus Lee, a B-list singer known for his cheerful personality and playful sense of humor.
Then Daniel Park, a B-list actor who was quieter than the others and preferred observing people before speaking.
The four men had very different personalities.
The director then introduced the women.
“Chloe Bennett.”
Chloe was a bubbly B-list actress who was popular for comedy dramas and variety programs.
She immediately waved at the camera.
“Hello, everyone!”
Lillian laughed.
Chloe looked at her.
“Why are you laughing?”
“You’re cute.”
Chloe grabbed Lillian’s arm.
“See?
I knew we would be friends.”
Lillian looked down at her hand.
“We just met.”
“Exactly.
It’s never too early.”
The audience burst into comments.
@ChloeBaby: SHE FOUND HER PERSON 😂
@LaughingGirl22: Chloe is already clinging to Lillian!
@LilyMoon: This friendship might actually be cute.
Then the director revealed the next name.
“Nina Carter.”
Lillian’s expression remained neutral.
Nina smiled toward the cameras.
She was a B-list actress with a respectable career and a strong family background.
She also happened to be Ethan Carter’s younger sister.
The moment Nina saw Lillian, her smile became slightly tighter.
She had heard plenty about her brother’s engagement.
She didn’t like the idea of Lillian becoming part of her family.
Especially after hearing Ethan complain about the arrangement.
Nina’s eyes moved briefly over Lillian.
She said nothing.
But the dislike was already there.
The comments noticed her expression.
@SharpEyes99: Did anyone see Nina’s face when she looked at Lillian?
@DramaWatcher21: Something is definitely there.
@CarterFan: Nina has every right to be suspicious of her.
@LilyFan001: Why?
Lillian hasn’t even done anything.
The director finally revealed the last name.
“Lillian Moore.”
The camera focused on her.
Lillian smiled politely.
“Hello.”
The comments immediately split.
@LilyMoon: She’s actually adorable.
@HateWatch101: Here comes the C-list actress again.
@SerenaQueen: Why is she getting so much screen time?
@NoFilterGirl: Because she’s part of the cast?
@PrettyFace88: She’s beautiful, I’ll give her that.
@RealityTalk: Beautiful doesn’t mean talented.
The director placed the cards together.
“Now we divide the groups.”
Everyone watched.
“Group A.”
He read the names.
“Serena Blake.
Lucas Han.
Marcus Lee.
Daniel Park.”
The four celebrities looked at one another.
It was an interesting combination.
Serena was the only woman.
Three male celebrities.
And all three men had considerably stronger public popularity than most of the women on the show.
The comment section immediately became confident.
@SerenaQueen: Group A is definitely winning!
@LucasWife: Lucas is there.
Easy victory.
@MarcusFan88: Marcus + Lucas?
They’re winning this.
@SerenaBaby: Serena has the strongest group!
@DramaQueen88: I already feel bad for Group B.
😂
The director continued.
“Group B.”
He looked down at his cards.
“Lillian Moore.
Chloe Bennett.
Nina Carter.”
He paused.
“And Ethan Wu.”
Ethan Wu was an A-list actor known for his handsome appearance, expensive lifestyle and arrogant personality.
He looked at Lillian the moment his name was called.
His eyes lingered.
Lillian didn’t even notice.
She was talking to Chloe.
Ethan smiled slightly.
“Interesting group.”
Chloe immediately whispered to Lillian.
“He’s looking at you.”
Lillian glanced over.
Ethan smiled at her.
She gave him a polite nod and turned back to Chloe.
Ethan’s smile disappeared.
He wasn’t accustomed to being ignored. This story is hosted at novelping.com.
The director looked toward both groups.
“Your first challenge is simple.”
The large screen behind him turned on.
A timer appeared.
60:00
“Each group will enter an escape room.
You will have one hour to escape.”
The screen changed again.
Images of complicated puzzles appeared.
“Inside the rooms, you’ll find mathematical problems, hidden clues, locks, riddles, memory tests, patterns and physical mechanisms.”
Chloe’s mouth dropped open.
“Physical mechanisms?”
The director nodded.
“You’ll need teamwork.”
Nina folded her arms.
“And if we fail?”
“You lose.”
“And the winners?”
“They choose their bedrooms first.”
Chloe immediately grabbed Lillian’s arm.
“We have to win.”
Lillian laughed.
“Apparently.”
Ethan looked at Lillian again.
“Do you think we can?”
Lillian looked at him.
“I think we’ll find out.”
She walked toward the entrance.
Ethan watched her leave.
Nina noticed.
Her expression hardened slightly.
Chloe, meanwhile, hurried after Lillian.
“Wait for me!”
Lillian laughed.
“You really are attached to me already.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because you’re pretty and you make me laugh.”
Lillian shook her head.
“You’re strange.”
“Thank you.”
Lillian laughed again.
The director stood between the two groups.
“Remember.
Once you enter, the clock starts.”
The doors to the two escape rooms slowly opened.
Group A entered first.
Serena smiled confidently as she walked inside.
Her three male teammates followed.
The live comments immediately flooded the screen.
@SerenaForever: Group A is winning!
❤️
@LucasWife: Look at that team!
@MarcusFan88: No chance for Group B.
😂
@RealityKing: Group B has Nina and Lillian arguing before they even start.
@LilyMoon: Why are people already against Lillian?
@HateWatch101: Because she’s annoying.
@NoFilterGirl: She hasn’t even done anything yet.
Group B stood outside their room.
Lillian looked at Chloe.
Chloe smiled.
Then she looked at Nina.
Nina gave her a brief nod.
Finally, Lillian looked at Ethan.
He was still watching her.
“What?”
Ethan smiled.
“Nothing.”
Lillian shrugged.
“Okay.”
She turned toward the door.
Ethan’s expression changed again.
He clearly wasn’t used to someone showing so little interest in him.
The director raised his hand.
“Groups ready?”
Everyone nodded.
“Three.”
The cameras moved closer.
“Two.”
The live comments accelerated.
@SerenaQueen: LET’S GO!
@LilyFan001: Come on, Lillian!
@DramaWatcher21: I think Group A is going to destroy them.
@HateWatch101: Lillian will probably slow her group down.
@ChloeBaby: Chloe and Lillian better win!
“One.”
The doors opened.
“Begin.”
The timer immediately started counting down.
59:59
And the eight celebrities stepped into their escape rooms.
The teams are finally decided!
Everyone already thinks Serena’s group is going to win because they have three male celebrities and only Serena.
But never underestimate the other team!
And Chloe has already adopted Lillian after knowing her for about five minutes.
But Nina is Ethan Carter’s sister… and she clearly isn’t happy about Lillian being around.
And Ethan?
Why does he suddenly seem so interested in someone who won’t even look twice at him?
The escape game has officially started.