The moment the escape-room challenge ended, the eight celebrities were brought back into the main living area of the villa.
Everyone looked exhausted.
Well—almost everyone.
Lillian sat comfortably on one of the sofas, sipping water as if she hadn’t just spent nearly an hour solving puzzles.
Chloe dropped beside her with a dramatic sigh.
“I never want to see another number again.”
Lillian laughed.
“You say that now.”
“I mean it.”
Nina sat across from them.
“I think the worst part was not knowing how much time we had left.”
Ethan nodded.
“That was intentional.”
Marcus walked into the room with Lucas and Daniel behind him.
“I don’t care about the timer anymore.
I care about food.”
“You always care about food,” Daniel said.
“Because food has never betrayed me.”
Lucas laughed.
The director entered the room before Marcus could continue his speech about hunger.
“Everyone, congratulations on completing the first challenge.”
The celebrities applauded.
“You will now have some time to settle into your rooms.”
Chloe immediately looked at Lillian.
“Let’s go!”
The director stopped her.
“Group B escaped first, so you have first choice.
The winning group will choose from the rooms upstairs.
Group A will choose from the rooms downstairs.”
Chloe smiled.
“Perfect.”
There was no need for a long discussion.
Chloe picked a room upstairs.
Nina chose another.
Ethan took his.
Lillian chose the room closest to the balcony.
Group A then selected their rooms downstairs.
The rooms downstairs were smaller, but everyone accepted their choices without much complaint.
Afterward, the celebrities returned to the main area.
They had barely settled down when the director spoke again.
“There is one more surprise before dinner.”
Everyone looked up.
Marcus groaned.
“Another challenge?”
“No.”
The director smiled.
“We have a new guest joining the cast.”
The room immediately became quiet.
Chloe sat upright.
“Another celebrity?”
“Yes.”
The door opened.
A woman stepped into the villa.
She was tall, elegant, and perfectly styled.
Her long dark hair fell neatly over her shoulders, and she carried herself with the effortless confidence of someone who was very familiar with cameras.
She smiled warmly.
“Hello, everyone.”
Several of the celebrities greeted her immediately.
“Isabella!”
Marcus looked surprised.
“I didn’t know you were joining.”
Isabella laughed.
“Neither did I until yesterday.”
The director introduced her.
“Everyone, this is Isabella Hart.
She’s joining the show starting today.”
Isabella smiled at the cameras.
“I’m happy to be here.”
The livestream immediately became more active.
«[Live Comment — StarryEyes99]: ISABELLA HART?!
[Live Comment — DramaQueen21]: Okay, the cast is getting interesting.
[Live Comment — IsabellaFans]: OUR GIRL IS HERE!
😍
[Live Comment — WatchingClosely]: She is gorgeous.
[Live Comment — NoFilterGirl]: This show is about to become messy 😂»
Isabella greeted everyone one by one.
When she reached Serena, the two exchanged a slightly longer hug.
“It’s good to see you,” Isabella said.
Serena smiled.
“You too.”
Lillian noticed it.
Nothing seemed strange about the interaction.
But Isabella’s eyes moved toward her.
The smile on her face remained perfectly pleasant.
“And you must be Lillian.”
Lillian stood.
“Yes.”
Isabella smiled.
“I’ve heard quite a lot about you.”
Lillian returned the smile.
“Hopefully good things.”
“Of course.”
Isabella laughed lightly.
“You’re even prettier in person.”
“Thank you.”
Serena, who was standing nearby, looked Lillian over.
“She’s not wrong.”
Chloe smiled.
“She really is.”
Isabella nodded.
“Your skin is beautiful too.”
Lillian thanked her again.
Then Isabella tilted her head.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“You’re really beautiful.
Your skin is so clear, and your features are so delicate.”
Isabella smiled as though she were genuinely curious. This story is hosted at g.com.
“Can you give us some tips?
What treatments do you normally do for your face?”
The question sounded harmless.
Chloe didn’t think anything of it.
Nina looked interested.
Even a few crew members turned their attention toward Lillian.
But Serena suddenly laughed.
“That’s what I was wondering too.”
Isabella looked at her.
“Serena…”
“What?”
Serena shrugged.
“Nobody’s face looks that perfect naturally.”
The atmosphere changed.
Chloe’s smile disappeared.
Nina looked at Serena.
“That’s a little rude.”
Serena frowned.
“I’m just saying what everyone is thinking.”
She looked directly at Lillian.
“Did you get something done?”
The room went quiet.
Isabella immediately raised a hand.
“Serena, don’t put it that way.”
“But I’m only asking.”
Serena looked at Lillian again.
“Your nose, your lips, your jawline… everything looks too perfect.”
The livestream exploded.
«[Live Comment — LilyMoon]: WHAT?!
😭
[Live Comment — FashionLover]: Serena really just asked her that?!
[Live Comment — NoFilterGirl]: Isabella asked nicely and Serena immediately exposed the real question 😂
[Live Comment — LillianFan001]: Leave Lillian alone!
[Live Comment — HonestViewer]: That’s such a personal question.
[Live Comment — IsabellaFans]: Serena is just being honest.»
Lillian didn’t react immediately.
She simply touched her cheek lightly.
“My face?”
Serena nodded.
“Yes.”
Lillian smiled.
“No.”
Serena frowned.
“No?”
“My face is natural.”
There was a brief silence.
Serena looked unconvinced.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Serena stared at her.
“But your nose…”
She pointed lightly.
“And your jawline.”
Then her eyes moved to Lillian’s lips.
“And your lips.”
Lillian smiled.
“Thank you.”
Serena blinked.
“What?”
“You just listed everything you like about my face.”
A few people immediately laughed.
Chloe covered her mouth.
Nina looked down, trying not to smile.
Marcus turned away.
Even Ethan’s lips curved upward.
Serena’s expression changed.
“I wasn’t complimenting you.”
“I know.”
Lillian’s smile remained pleasant.
“it was genuine admiration you had for me.”
The room went completely silent.
Then Chloe lost it.
She burst into laughter.
“Lillian!”
The livestream comments flew across the screen.
«[Live Comment — StarryEyes99]: SHE GOT HER 😭😭😭
[Live Comment — LillianFan001]: “Complimenting me or accusing me” 💀
[Live Comment — DramaQueen21]: Lillian didn’t even get angry!
[Live Comment — NoFilterGirl]: Serena walked right into that one.
[Live Comment — FashionLover]: THAT WAS SMOOTH.
[Live Comment — LilyMoon]: Somebody please protect Lillian 😂»
Serena folded her arms.
Lillian picked up her glass.
Isabella quickly smile.”Serena didn’t mean anything bad.
She was just curious.”
Lillian turned toward her.
“I know.”
Then she smiled sweetly.”That’s why I didn’t take it personally.”
Isabella’s expression remained gentle.
But her fingers tightened slightly around the glass in her hand.
Serena, however, was still irritated.
“Fine.
But if you’re saying it’s natural, then you must have some serious skincare routine.”
Lillian nodded.”I do.”
Serena looked satisfied.What is it?”
“Sleeping properly, drinking enough water, eating well…”
Lillian paused.
“And not worrying about other people’s faces.”
Chloe burst out laughing.
Nina immediately looked away.
Marcus nearly dropped his glass.
Serena’s face stiffened.
The comment section went wild.
> **[Live Comment — LilyMoon]:** NOT WORRYING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE’S FACES 😭😭😭
> **[Live Comment — LillianFan001]:** SHE’S TOO GOOD AT THIS.
> **[Live Comment — StarryEyes99]:** Serena walked directly into that one.
> **[Live Comment — WatchingClosely]:** Isabella is smiling but I KNOW she didn’t expect that.
> **[Live Comment — DramaAddict]:** Someone give Lillian a trophy 😂
Lillian simply picked up her glass and took a sip.
She hadn’t insulted Serena. New chapters come out on g.com first.
She hadn’t raised her voice.
She hadn’t even looked angry.
She had simply answered the question.
And somehow, Serena had ended up looking foolish all by herself.
Serena rolled her eyes.
“I don’t understand why everyone is acting like I said something terrible.”
Ethan laughed.
“Because you did.”
Serena glared at him.
“Whose side are you on?”
“No one’s.”
Marcus grinned.
“That’s probably the safest answer.”
Everyone laughed again.
Isabella remained quiet.
She watched Lillian for a moment.
Lillian was talking to Chloe now, completely relaxed.
Isabella’s eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly before she looked away.
The first exchange had not gone the way she expected.
But she didn’t let it show.
She simply smiled at the cameras.
After all, there was plenty of time.
The director clapped his hands.
“Everyone, please pay attention.”
The room quieted.
“Since Isabella has joined us, she would be sharing a a room with whoever fails the last game this evening, Now the next challenge will be a team activity.”
Marcus immediately looked suspicious.
“What kind?”
The director smiled.
“Cooking.”
Several people reacted at once.
Chloe cheered.”I can cook!”
Marcus raised his hand.”I can eat.”
Daniel looked at him.”That wasn’t the question.”
“I know.”
Everyone laughed.
The director continued.
“Each team will prepare a complete meal.
You will be judged on taste, presentation, teamwork, and time management.”
Chloe looked excited.
Nina smiled.
Ethan nodded.
Serena seemed confident.
Isabella smiled calmly.
Then Chloe turned toward Lillian.
“You can cook, right?”
Lillian froze.
Just for a second.
Her eyes moved toward the kitchen.
Then back to Chloe.
“I…”
Chloe waited.
Lillian slowly shook her head.
“No.”
“What?”
“I can’t cook.”
Chloe stared at her.
Nina blinked.
Ethan raised an eyebrow.
Marcus looked genuinely shocked.
“You don’t know how to cook?”
Lillian shook her head.
“Not really.”
Marcus looked at the kitchen.
Then at Lillian.
Then back at the kitchen.
“This is going to be entertaining.”
Lillian frowned.
“Why?”
Chloe was already laughing.
“You can solve that crazy mathematical puzzle, but you can’t cook?”
“Those are completely different things.”
Nina laughed.
“I agree with Lillian.”
Ethan smiled.
“I’m beginning to think the cooking challenge might be harder for her than the escape room.”
Lillian gave him an unimpressed look.
“Very funny.”
The director continued explaining the rules.
“Your cooking challenge begins after you receive your ingredients.
You will have one hour.”
The cameras moved closer.
Serena smiled.
Isabella glanced at Lillian.
For the first time, Isabella’s expression showed the faintest hint of interest.
A cooking challenge.
An actress who couldn’t cook.
A live audience.
And plenty of opportunities to make someone look bad.
Lillian looked at the kitchen again.
She had no idea what she was supposed to do with half the ingredients waiting inside.
She quietly sighed.
“Why couldn’t the next challenge be chess?”
Chloe burst out laughing.
Marcus pointed at her.
“Now that’s something I want to see.”
The director smiled.
“Everyone, get ready.”
The kitchen doors opened.
The cameras followed.
And the second challenge of the reality show officially began.
And Serena wasted no time showing us exactly what she thinks about Lillian.
But what do you think about Isabella?
Do you trust her sweet and innocent attitude?
And that cooking challenge… poor Lillian.
See you in Chapter 24!