Novellair Reading-E

Chapter 1 Love Locked Away Pain dragged Whitney Harrington awake. She blinked, staring at the shabby, leaky ceiling and then at her foot. Blood mixed with rainwater on the floor, each drop sharpening the ache. 'Wasn't I dead?' she wondered. 'I died because of Emily, that fake heiress who stole my family and took everything from me. I died at the hands of the family I longed for, the ones I gave up everything to please.' Even now, she could feel the pain from the crash. Afterward, the Andersons dragged her, who was on the verge of death, aside and tortured her. That was definitely no nightmare. "Whitney!" Suddenly, an angry voice cut through the rain. She looked up. A handsome, dangerous-looking man stepped into the shed, dripping wet. He didn't glance at her bleeding leg but snapped, 'Whitney, I didn't make you look bad in front of the cameras earlier. You scraped Emily's leg. Why can't you apologize? And you dare to sulk about it?' It was Chase Anderson, Whitney's fourth brother, the one who grabbed Whitney by the throat and smashed her head against the wall when she was barely clinging to life, only to show that Emily Anderson was the only sister he'd care about. Whitney stared at him, her eyes intense. Then, slowly, her lips curved into a wide, unsettling smile. With the rain pouring down, that smile looked downright eerie, chilling enough to make people's skin crawl. 'I'm back,' Whitney thought. 'I'm alive again. It's one year after I was brought back to the Anderson residence.' Looking back on everything from her previous life, Whitney found it all ironic and pathetic. She thought that by returning to her real family, she could finally have the family love she'd always craved. She thought she could finally have her own parents and brothers. So she gave up everything, groveling to every single member of the Anderson family, hoping to finally be accepted. But in the end, in the Andersons' hearts, there was only a place for Emily. Emily was the one they'd loved as their real daughter and sister for nineteen whole years. They'd even go out of their way to humiliate Whitney and treat her like she didn't exist, trying to make Emily feel good. And every time Emily cooked up some lame scheme to frame her, they'd always back Emily up, scold Whitney for being wrong, and force her to apologize to Emily. As long as Emily was there, Whitney would always be nothing more than a foil, a stepping stone, a pawn the Andersons used to please Emily. Just like right now. She was on a reality show called Real Survival. The whole thing was set up to fulfill Emily's dream of being a star. Chase, the top trending idol who could sing, dance, and rap, was roped in to team up with Emily. And Whitney was the ultimate sucker, the unlucky scapegoat, shoved in to make Emily look good. Real Survival was kind of like one of those wild survival shows. It was streamed live for everyone to see. The contestants were sent to a secluded island, completely cut off from the outside world. They could exchange whatever supplies they managed to find on the island or complete challenges set by the producers to get what they needed. Survival shows were never easy, after all. There was always some risk. Whitney's foot was left bloody and raw because, during a challenge with the other contestants at a steep slope, Emily schemed against her and tried to shove her off. Whitney caught on to what Emily was up to and dodged instinctively. But because she dodged, Emily lost her balance and almost tumbled down the slope. So Emily grabbed Chase at the last second. Whitney didn't care what would happened to Emily, but the thought of Chase getting hurt was something she couldn't stand. She managed to avoid Emily's trap, but she couldn't escape her own dumb instincts. In the end, to save Chase, she took the fall herself. And because Emily got a scrape, Chase totally lost it. Off-camera, he blew up at Whitney, accusing her of deliberately hurting Emily, and forced her to apologize. When Whitney refused, Chase even demanded the crew forbid the doctor from treating her injured foot. He let her bleed and faint from the pain. Whitney sneered inwardly, 'See? This is the so-called family love I've been chasing after all this time. 'For this so-called family love, I gave up everything, even my pride. Are they even worthy? Absolutely not!' "What's so funny?" Chase stared at Whitney, whose eyes locked onto him, hollow and deep. Her gaze was like a vortex in a bottomless pool. It felt as if she was drawing him into it little by little. He couldn't explain it, but a suffocating feeling crept over him. He was irritated. 'What gives this meek girl the right to look at me like that? Getting gutsy, huh?' he thought. Whitney lifted her injured foot, the bright red blood had covered her instep, making her foot look pretty disturbing. "Are you blind?" Whitney's voice was icy. "Can't you see I'm the real victim?" Chase hadn't expected Whitney to snap back at him. His expression shifted as he glanced at her foot, but he still stubbornly said, "You brought it on yourself." Whitney let out a cold laugh. "Why don't you get your head on straight before you talk to me? I fell because I pulled you back. Otherwise, you'd be the one lying here. Who are you to say I deserved this? "And you wouldn't let the crew treat me. That's what people call biting the hand that feeds you." Chase looked uneasy, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. He knew well that if Whitney hadn't grabbed him in time, he would've been the one tumbling down the slope. But he'd always acted like he was above Whitney, and he was used to her groveling and bending over backwards for him. Even if he was in the wrong, he'd never admit it. "This is payback for you having it out for Emily." Whitney looked at him with pure sarcasm, like he was a moron. She didn't waste her breath arguing with Chase. It was pointless to argue with him about right and wrong. The Andersons would only believe Emily. "Yeah, I really deserved it," Whitney said. 'In my previous life, I lost my life because of my own choices. Isn't that exactly what I deserved?' Whitney thought. 'I had to chase after the family love I was so desperate for and endure the Andersons' nonstop mind games. 'Though I knew there was never a place for me in the Anderson residence, I still foolishly believed that if I poured out my heart, I could somehow warm theirs. 'I'd been a fool all my life, and that stupidity cost me everything. This time, I won't waste a single hope on the Andersons ever again.' Chase looked at Whitney. Her face was utterly expressionless. Her indifference was like still water, calm, cold, and distant. It was directed at Chase, her own brother. Chase couldn't shake the faint sense of panic in his heart, as if something important was quietly slipping away from his life. Chase frowned, his tone softening a bit. "Whitney, apologize to Emily, and I'll get someone to treat your foot right away," he said. Whitney spat, "Get lost." Chase's face darkened instantly as he said, "Don't take my kindness for granted. If you keep stalling, your foot might end up beyond saving. The Anderson family would never accept a cripple." Chapter 2 Not Family Anymore Whitney found Chase amusing, and she almost sneered at her own stupidity in her previous life. Obviously, Chase knew how much she cared about the Anderson family, which was why he could use it as leverage against her without worrying about her retaliation. "Doesn't matter," Whitney said, her voice emotionless. "After all, you never treated me as family." She lifted her gaze, her calm eyes meeting Chase's, which were gradually widening in disbelief. "In this case, let's not be family anymore," she added. Chase never expected Whitney to say something like that. His handsome face turned cold in an instant. To him, Whitney had always been like a pet, always desperate for his approval, hoping he'd look her way. He couldn't stand the idea of the pet he kept getting out of control. Chase's voice was thick with anger. "Fine. Don't regret this, and don't come back, begging me to call you my sister again." He thought, 'Does she think threatening to cut ties would bother me? She's not Emily. She was the one who forced her way into the Anderson residence. 'She's the one who's trying to mess up my family. Does she think acting out like this would get to me? Not a chance.' "Did you ever treat me like your sister?" Whitney sneered. "You always said your sister would only be Emily." Chase's face twisted with anger as he said, "Glad you finally get it." With that, he walked away as he grumbled under his breath, "I must be a fool for coming here, trying to give you a chance to make things right. Since you don't appreciate it, stay here on your own." He walked into the pouring rain, never once looking back. In the past, Whitney would've never let Chase get drenched like that. Even limping, she would've dragged herself after him to apologize. But now, Whitney only scoffed. In her previous life, she'd spent years degrading herself for him and even thrown her life away. Now, she only gave him the cold shoulder once, but he couldn't stand it already. 'Well, from now on, he and the rest of the Andersons will have to get used to it,' she thought. The rain kept pattering outside. Whitney glanced up at the shabby shelter she found herself in. It was one of the shelters the production crew had set up. She'd injured her leg trying to save Chase and ended up as the last contestant to make it back, so she had to stay in the shabbiest shelter. The production team hadn't expected such a heavy downpour, and the shelter couldn't handle it. One corner even collapsed. They'd planned to find Whitney another place to stay. But when Chase saw Emily's scraped leg, he lost it and forced Whitney to stay in that rundown shelter as punishment. Meanwhile, he picked up Emily and headed for the winner's suite: the luxurious spot reserved for first place. Whitney remembered how, when she tried to hold onto Chase and ended up tumbling down the slope, he didn't hesitate, scooped Emily up in his arms, and walked away. He did that so he could seize first place and give Emily the winner's comfortable suite. He acted as if her life meant nothing to him. His indifference was even colder than the pouring rain outside. It chilled her to the bone. Back when her mind was messed up, Whitney would feel hurt and miserable, but most of all, she'd blame herself for not being good enough, as if it was her fault that Chase hated her so much. But now, she didn't care about his coldness anymore. Once she finally let go and saw things for what they were, she felt a weight lift off her shoulders. But she couldn't afford to ignore her foot. Without Chase's permission, the production team wouldn't dare risk offending the Andersons or Chase, their VIP, by letting the on-site doctor take a look at her foot. If she kept waiting, it wouldn't only be about losing too much blood. She might miss the best window for treatment. She sure as hell didn't want to end up a cripple in this life. She swung herself down and stood up. As soon as her foot touched the ground, a ripping pain shot through her, as if it was tearing through her foot and flooding her whole body. She frowned, but she could grit her teeth and bear it. Compared to the torture she went through before dying in her previous life, this pain was nothing. Back then, it was thousands of times worse. Whitney borrowed an umbrella from the crew and stepped into the wild woods. The crew watched as Whitney, pale as a ghost, left blood wherever she walked, until she disappeared from their sight. They felt a bit spooked, secretly sighing to themselves, 'This girl is hardcore. So young, but she's absolutely ruthless with herself. Even with injuries like that, she didn't make a peep. 'Meanwhile, Emily, the one Mr. Anderson brought, acted like a tiny scratch was as bad as a broken leg. If the doctor had been any slower, her cut would've healed on its own. That little princess was bawling louder than the rainstorm. 'Even though we've only been filming for two days, Whitney's already impressive. She breezed through every challenge we set up, acting like the wild island was her own backyard. But every time, Emily got all the praise. 'Whitney is a regular contestant with no background. Meanwhile, Emily is the Andersons' little princess, with Chase, the hottest star, always watching her back. That's the difference between the rich and a nobody.' The crew could only shake their heads in resignation until they suddenly realized Whitney was gone. It was a wild island. All the cameras were shut off now. She could run into danger or lose her bearings. Everyone started to panic. ***** Meanwhile, Whitney held her umbrella and trekked through the dense woods, heading to a spot about 1,600 feet away from the shelter the production team had arranged. Yesterday, while she was out searching for food, she'd noticed a huge field of medicinal herbs in this direction. This was a wild island. There were plenty of natural treasures growing here. She quickly found the herbs she needed in the wild. Ignoring the heavy rain, she crouched down, crushed the herbs, and applied them to her injured foot. She ground and applied the herbs at the same time. The umbrella resting on her shoulder began to slide off to the side. She held the crushed herbs in one hand, pressing them onto her injured foot with the other. Just as she was about to tilt her head and try to hold the umbrella between her shoulder and neck, a shadow loomed overhead, and a hand caught the umbrella before it could slip away. Whitney froze, her hands pausing mid-motion as she slowly lifted her head. A black umbrella was held firmly above her, shielding her from the rain. She glanced to the side and saw a pair of slender hands. Those hands took hold of her umbrella, gently lifting it off her shoulder. Whitney glanced over. Amid the relentless rain, a tall guy appeared at her side. He was dressed in a white T-shirt and black pants. Even in such basic clothes, he still radiated that effortless, aristocratic cool, like he was born to stand out. His face was sharp and clean-cut, with a cool, almost unreal aura. No one in the whole entertainment world, or even all of Centlandia, could hold a candle to him. Whitney knew right away who he was: Ryan Pierce. He was the true superstar of the entertainment world, with brilliance and honors unmatched anywhere in Centlandia. And most importantly, he was the heir to the Pierce Group, the leading force in Roynfort's business world, born into the highest echelon of society. Chapter 3 Her Real Family Whitney didn't really have much of an impression of this guy. The reason she could recognize him instantly, besides his jaw-dropping good looks, was that his face was so distinctive. There was another reason. Ever since Emily met Ryan, she always acted like she had him in the bag. But Ryan never bought into Emily's act. He never showed her any warmth from start to finish. Emily ended up in tears more than once because of Ryan. As for the Anderson family, they wouldn't dare mess with Ryan, who was basically royalty in Roynfort. No matter how much they doted on Emily, there was no way they'd stick their necks out for her and risk ticking Ryan off. Plus, Ryan's health wasn't great. When he came to the show, he had bodyguards trailing him in the shadows. Every single one of them was a former special forces soldier. The Andersons wouldn't dare go head-to-head with him. Emily cried a few times, but in the end, she had to give it up. Later, probably fed up with Emily constantly pestering him, Ryan left before the show was finished filming. He claimed he was feeling unwell. Of course, Ryan's early exit pissed off a ton of his fans. Emily had been throwing herself at Ryan during the livestream, which annoyed Ryan's Fans. As soon as Ryan left, a tidal wave of insults crashed down on her online. How did the Andersons deal with it in the end? That was when Whitney, the designated fall guy, got thrown under the bus. The Andersons didn't give her a heads-up. They paid for a planted story and had someone posing in a staff member's name, claiming Whitney had stripped naked and tried to seduce Ryan off-camera, which made him leave in a rage. It wasn't hard to guess what would happened next. Whitney was torn apart online. And the Andersons asked for more, forcing her to swallow all the hate to protect their reputation. Thinking about it, Whitney's eyes grew cold. Ryan was a last-minute addition to the show, joining on the second day of filming, which was today. She'd hurt her leg and passed out, so she hadn't crossed paths with him. She never expected that the guy everyone said was icy and out of reach, like some kind of deity, would be the one holding an umbrella for her right now. "Thanks," Whitney said to Ryan. He replied coldly, "It's okay." His casual tone, deep and magnetic, felt even more captivating in the endless rain. Whitney's long lashes quivered softly. She lowered her eyes and silently tended to her injured foot. Once she'd finished bandaging her foot, Whitney straightened up. With a handful of wet herbs in one hand, she extended her other hand toward Ryan. Ryan raised an eyebrow. "My umbrella," Whitney said. Ryan's thin lips curved slightly. For a split second, his aloof, elegant face seemed to light up the whole world. "My umbrella's big enough," he said. His deep, husky voice carried a hint of ambiguous amusement. It was as if he'd just discovered an intriguing prey. If it were anyone else, getting invited by Ryan to share an umbrella would have them over the moon, maybe even passing out from excitement. But Whitney reached out with a cool expression, took her umbrella back, and walked away without a second glance. That move made the smile on Ryan's elegant face grow even wider. His deep, aristocratic gaze lingered on Whitney's back, a subtle ripple of emotion flickering in his eyes. Whitney could feel his gaze lingering on her, almost burning into her back. She pressed her lips together, acted like she didn't notice a thing, and kept walking. 'Were all those stories about him fake?' Whitney wondered. But in her memory, this guy was so icy that the whole crew would get all nervous and respectful around him, not even daring to breathe too loudly. "You know medicine?" Ryan's deep, husky voice suddenly sounded from behind her. He had somehow caught up and was now walking behind her. Maybe it was the rain, but even though they weren't that close, his voice still felt like it was right by her ear. 'This guy is so charming,' Whitney thought. Whitney replied politely, but with a hint of indifference, "I know a bit." Whitney picked up the pace. Even with the herbs numbing the pain, she still limped along, her steps far from steady. A hand appeared in front of her. It was long and slender, almost luminous in the rain. Each finger was distinct, the joints clear and refined. Whitney was stunned. "Need a hand?" Ryan offered, his gaze lingering on her injured foot. "I can manage," Whitney said. She dodged his hand and kept limping forward. As she walked past Ryan, Whitney couldn't help but sneak a sideways glance at him. His captivating face showed barely any emotion. She had no idea what he was trying to do. Anyway, she wanted to keep her distance from him. Her refusal came as no surprise to Ryan. His legs carried him after Whitney. "You don't seem like someone who only 'knows a bit,'" he remarked. Whitney didn't reply, simply lowering her gaze. She was truly more than "a bit" knowledgeable. Before she was brought back to the Anderson residence, she'd always stayed by her mentor's side. Her mentor was a great doctor, renowned far and wide. During those years, she picked up countless skills from him and even outshone him. When the Andersons came to bring her home, her mentor gently patted her head and said, "Whitney, you're more gifted than any of my other students. "No matter what you learn, you pick it up effortlessly. If it weren't for your real family waiting for you, I truly wish you could inherit everything from me." Thinking of her mentor and the fellow students who always doted on her, Whitney felt her eyes grow hot with emotion. Regret flooded her heart. For the so-called family, a bunch of losers, she actually walked away from the people who truly loved her, who treated her like family. In her previous life, she really had shit for brains, like she was cursed or something. She threw away her pride, lost herself, only to chase after a "family." Her mentor and the fellow students were real family. Ryan followed Whitney, keeping an appropriate, steady distance. His gaze lingered on her slim back, and he quietly watched her. He could sense that a wave of sadness washed over her. He followed Whitney all the way to the shelter. Whitney closed her umbrella and realized Ryan was still behind her. "It's pouring. Shouldn't you be in your own cabin? Why are you still following me?" Ryan was the reigning superstar backed by the Pierce family in Roynfort, and he'd only landed on the wild island today. He didn't have to compete in any challenges or pick a room like everyone else. He got his own private room right when he arrived. 'Why would he leave his own solid, weatherproof cabin with all the comforts to hang out in my rundown shack?' Whitney wondered. Ryan glanced up at the roof, which was still dripping with rain. "I can help you." Whitney knew what he was getting at. If he said the word, she wouldn't have to tough it out in this miserable, leaky shack anymore. She'd have a professional doctor take care of her foot, and she wouldn't have to give a damn about what the Andersons thought. Chapter 4 Only You Can Cure Me Whitney said, "I don't need anything." She slowly lifted her gaze. Her deep eyes now flickering with a hint of mesmerizing brilliance. That light was so unwavering that anyone who met her eyes would trust her. "A bet's a bet. I'll accept the outcome," she said, her voice cool. "I lost this time, so I'll follow the rules." She paused, the light in her eyes growing even stronger. "But I won't lose again." That was her promise. Ryan met her gaze. He could sense the fierce determination radiating from her. He wasn't the type to meddle in other people's business. If he hadn't had his own reasons, he never would've set foot on this wild island or bothered with this boring reality show. But now, he was actually glad he came. He remembered watching her step into the pouring rain, walking through pools of blood. The scene was truly striking. Her silhouette looked so slender and gentle. Yet, he could sense an incredible strength in her. It was as if no matter what hardships she faced, nothing could break her unyielding spirit. That unwavering resolve reminded him of a moment from his own memories. By instinct, he followed her, shielded her from the rain with his umbrella, and wanted to help. He'd never felt this kind of impulse before or acted like this. It felt like some mysterious force was drawing him to her. Whitney narrowed her eyes, giving Ryan a puzzled look. 'His stare is getting stranger by the second,' she thought. Honestly, "strange" was the only word for it. From what Whitney remembered, he ignored Emily every time, and she wasn't on his radar either. From the moment he joined the show until he left, he and Whitney hadn't exchanged a single word. 'So why is this famously cold, ascetic guy suddenly trailing after me? What's he up to?' Whitney mused. Whitney felt a bit helpless. She pressed her lips together before saying, "Mr. Pierce, thanks for your kindness." Her chilly tone was a subtle way of telling him to back off. But Ryan smiled. "Actually, I need your help." "You need my help?" Whitney pointed at him and then at herself, her tone full of disbelief. When Ryan nodded, she couldn't help but laugh. "Me? A nobody? What could I possibly do for you?" Whitney purposely used the word "nobody" to highlight the gap between them, making it clear she wasn't in any position to help him. Ryan said, "I'm sick." "What?" Whitney stared at him, clearly confused. Ryan looked dead serious. "I'm sick, and I need you to cure me." Whitney was speechless. Then, she finally gave Ryan's ridiculously handsome face a proper look. And immediately, she noticed something off. There were dark, grayish shadows under his eyes, like he was haunted by death itself. Looking closer, his whole face and even the corners of his lips had this faint, bluish-white pallor. Something was indeed off. "I've been sick ever since I was born. I tried every specialist I could find, but none of them could help me," Ryan said slowly. Whitney rubbed her chin, thinking. 'So Ryan really is sick. That whole delicate, fragile beauty vibe isn't just an act. It's actually true,' she thought. "With your background and status, getting a top doctor, even Davis Russell, the president of the Medical Association, to treat you should be no problem," Whitney said. She couldn't believe that, with all the power Ryan had behind him, he'd come to her for help because she could identify a few herbs. That was absurd. Ryan's perfectly sculpted brows lifted with a hint of a smile, and his gaze on Whitney became even deeper. He chuckled softly. "I've already been to see Davis. He told me himself that he couldn't help." Whitney was a bit surprised. She knew full well what Davis was capable of. If even that old man couldn't do anything, then Ryan's illness must be really tough. But Whitney didn't agree right away. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "If even Davis, the top doctor in the country, can't help you, what makes you think I can?" Ryan said, "Just a gut feeling." Whitney was speechless. 'Honestly, his gut feeling is spot on,' she thought. "I'm going to rest now," Whitney said, turning away. She clearly had no intention of talking to Ryan anymore. She was dismissing him without hesitation. Ryan wasn't in any rush for an answer. He nodded slightly. "Go ahead and rest." But he still didn't move. Whitney ignored him. 'If he's so sick, why's he sitting out here in the cold? If things get worse, that's on him,' Whitney thought. She settled herself in a dry corner of the shelter, away from the dripping rain, and slowly closed her eyes. Meanwhile, Ryan watched Whitney intently. Her face, even smudged with dirt, still radiated a striking, vibrant confidence. His thin lips quirked into a slow, subtle smile. With one hand in his pocket, he looked up, gazing at the relentless downpour overhead. He remembered what Davis had told him. "There's only one person in this world who might be able to cure you: my mentor." Ryan had no idea who Davis's mentor was. Davis wouldn't say a word about his mentor. He had to rely on the Pierce family's secret network to get a tip: Davis's mentor would be showing up on this wild island. That was why he ended up here. He couldn't keep dragging it out. His health was getting worse. ***** Night fell, and suddenly, a burst of noise broke the silence. Whitney opened her eyes and saw the area ahead lit up, with people bustling around. They were all crew members from the show. The rain had stopped at some point. "You're awake?" Suddenly, a clear and mellow voice came from right beside her ear. Startled, Whitney instinctively swung her fist toward the source of the voice. But her fist didn't hit anything. Instead, a long, elegant hand firmly caught it mid-air. Ryan was somehow sitting next to her, side by side. They were very close. Whitney could even catch a whiff of his scent: a subtle, cedar-like fragrance that was cool and distant. 'Why is he still here?' Whitney thought. 'I actually slept so soundly in front of a total stranger? 'I didn't even notice when he got this close. When did my guard get so low?' Whitney gave her hand a tug to free herself from his grasp. Ryan released her wrist as soon as she pulled away. "The rain's stopped. The crew was about to start shooting again." Whitney pulled her hand back, stood up, and stepped away from him. "Why are you still here?" Ryan didn't answer. Instead, he looked down at her feet. Her injured foot had already stopped bleeding, and it didn't hurt anymore. She'd stepped away from Ryan just fine. Whitney glanced at her foot, already knowing what Ryan was thinking. "My injury isn't serious," she said. 'So it's no surprise a few herbs did the trick,' she thought. 'Stop looking at me like I'm some genius doctor. Even if you see me as one, I'm not going to treat you.' Whitney carefully moved her foot, testing the injury. She could walk just fine, but if she overdid it, the wound would still sting. It would take at least two days for her to fully heal. This wild island survival show made her burn through a ton of energy every day. And there were plenty of dangerous missions to tackle, too. Whitney couldn't help but wonder if her foot would actually hold up through all of it. Chapter 5 Emily Pulls Her Old Trick Again Just then, a staff member walked over, heading straight for Ryan. "Mr. Pierce," he said. He called out to Ryan, but his eyes flicked over to Whitney. Ryan lifted his eyelids slightly, his expression calm. The staff member said, "We're about to start filming. Mr. Pierce, would you like to head back to your room for now?" Ryan had arrived while the show was on a break. His presence hadn't been officially announced yet. So he wasn't supposed to appear on the livestream alongside Whitney, who was a regular participant, especially considering she was already infamous from day one. "No need," Ryan replied, looking indifferent. The staff member didn't press further. As he left, he couldn't help but glance at Whitney again. He thought, 'She's so lucky. She actually scored a backer like Ryan. Being seen on camera with Ryan is like winning the lottery. She's going to be famous. 'All the hate she's gotten these past few days on the livestream is about to disappear because of Ryan.' Whitney was confused, thinking, 'He's a superstar. Why does he keep following a nobody like me?' Since Ryan stubbornly refused to leave, the production team had no choice but to keep Whitney's livestream off for now. They decided to wait until the show was back on, stir up some buzz, and then unleash Ryan, the superstar and traffic generator. Whitney looked at Ryan, her expression deadpan. "So if I don't agree to treat you, are you going to keep sticking to me like glue?" The dazzling lights wrapped Ryan's tall figure in a subtle golden aura. His face, already otherworldly, now seemed even cooler and more distant, like that of a celestial being. When his thin lips curled into a smile, his sculpted brows and eyes lit up with charm. "Miss Harrington, do you not like me?" Whitney was speechless. 'Isn't that obvious? Honestly, if he didn't have that face, this would totally count as harassment.' "What can I do?" Ryan's gaze lowered, a touch of quiet allure shimmering at the corners of his eyes. "I value my life, and it's rare to meet someone who might save it. To stay alive, I'll have to shamelessly stick to you." Whitney shot back, "Do your fans know you're this shameless?" 'Turns out, all that hype about being aloof and untouchable on camera is an act,' Whitney thought. "Whitney!" Suddenly, a soft and sweet voice rang out from not far away. The tone was laced with worry and urgency. But when Whitney looked up, she saw a girl in a white dress, gentle and graceful, nestled limply in Chase's arms. Chase was supporting her, helping her take tiny steps toward Whitney's booth. She was moving so slowly that even a snail would have left her in the dust. Her eyes would get teary after a few steps. Chase was so worried that he kept wanting to carry her, but she refused every time with surprising determination. Whitney's eyes suddenly narrowed. Her hands at her sides subconsciously tensed up a bit. Here came Emily, the girl who had took over her whole life, stole her family, and in the end, taken her life. Emily would never let slip any opportunity to make Whitney look bad in front of the Andersons. The stream had barely resumed, and she couldn't wait to show up and start her drama of "caring brother, devoted sister." She was deliberately making Chase look worried about her to get under Whitney's skin, so Whitney would lose it in front of the cameras. Emily was always pulling this trick in Whitney's previous life. Seeing this scene would have broken Whitney's heart. But now, she was totally over the Andersons. She didn't expect anything from them, didn't feel a thing, and kind of wanted to laugh. Watching Emily put on that pathetic act, she thought, 'Only the Andersons would buy this crap.' "Whitney, who are you hanging out with? You two look pretty cozy when you whispered in each other's ear. Careful, the livestream's about to start. You don't want to get caught on camera," Emily said. From afar, she caught sight of Whitney and a guy glued together by the booth. She snuggled into Chase's arms, trying to hide the excitement and the grin that she could barely hold back in her eyes. Even her usual slow, unsteady steps sped up. She purposely raised her voice, acting like she was being thoughtful and giving Whitney a friendly warning. But she had two camera crews following right behind her. One was her own, and the other was Chase's. In other words, both of their livestreams were up and running. With that shout, she was basically making a scene for everyone to see. The production team wasn't about to miss out on all that buzz. And just like that, the camera crew trailing behind Emily turned their cameras on Whitney. As Emily got closer and finally saw who Whitney was cozying up to, her sweet, innocent mask shattered in an instant. "M-Mr. Pierce..." Emily's eyes widened. She was so stunned that she could barely get a word out. 'Ryan? How could he be here? Why is he with Whitney? Of all people, it has to be him!' Emily thought. She thought about Ryan's top-tier status in the entertainment world and how his family was on a different level compared to the Andersons. It was enough to make Emily's delicate frame, still curled up in Chase's arms, tremble. Right then, the viewers in Emily's livestream completely lost their minds when Ryan's icy figure appeared on screen. Their shock was every bit as intense as Emily's. [Damn! It's Ryan. The Real Survival team is legendary. They actually managed to bring in Ryan.] [I knew there was going to be a surprise guest, but I never imagined it would be this epic.] [Help! I'm so hyped that I can barely breathe.] In just a few seconds, the news that Ryan showed up on Real Survival took over social media. And thanks to Ryan, Whitney, who was right there beside him, blew up online too. It was all because Emily yelled out like that. [Who's that woman next to Ryan? Are they getting all cozy? Are they whispering in each other's ear?] [Ryan's never had a woman by his side. This is literally the first time.] [@Jamie, I need all information you can find about her, ASAP.] The chat was buzzing with curiosity about Whitney's identity. No catfights or hate. Nobody was trashing Whitney. Emily finally snapped out of her shock. When she remembered what she'd just said, resentment burned in her chest, and her fists balled tightly. If Emily had known the man Whitney was getting close to was Ryan, she would've never let them share the same frame. 'The only woman who deserves to stand next to Ryan is me, and me alone!' she thought.