The cameras started rolling, and the reality show "Escape to the Wild" was underway.
The production team had scouted a variety of campgrounds, but it was up to the celebrity contestants to fend for themselves when it came to food and drink. At 8:30 each evening, a live broadcast was scheduled where fans could interact with the stars and vote for the least favorite. The one with the most votes would end up playing butler for the next day, taking care of all the chores.
On the first day of shooting, the group worked together to set up tents and cook dinner. It just so happened that Vivienne was not exactly an outdoorsy type.
Neither was Kala.
"Let me handle this, Granny. Why don't you sit and chat with Bo... Vivienne and the others?" Stephen, the only guy in the group, naturally took on more of the physical tasks.
Lucia and Lila also sat down, shamelessly buttering up Paloma Harris.
"Ma'am, your skin is just radiant."
"Ma'am, being around you feels just like being with my mom. So comforting."
The old lady was baffled. These two girls were not exactly known for their integrity, but they sure had sweet tongues.
Paloma clicked her tongue. "Oh, honey, we come from a family of good looks."
Vivienne could not help but burst into laughter.
Kala quickly tugged at her. "Vivienne, stop laughing. It's not nice."
Lucia and Lila did not dare confront Paloma, so they redirected her anger toward Vivienne. "You think it's funny? A murderer's granddaughter, I'd hide my face if I were you."
Kala hung her head in shame.
But Vivienne, legs crossed nonchalantly, eyed Lucia. "Heard that the murderer gene is hereditary. Want me to give it a try tonight?"
Lucia shivered. "Are you trying to scare me? You dare say anything. Aren't you afraid of biting your tongue?"
"If you're not scared, why should I be?" Vivienne retorted coolly.
Seeing her sister outmatched, Lila chimed in. "Let's not stoop to arguing with fools. We do our part. Justice shall prevail. Some people never change, and if it weren't for family support, they'd be nothing."
Vivienne nodded approvingly and then turned to Kala. "You hear that? We strive even though we come from a wealthy background, while some, without a leg up from daddy, turn to sugar daddies. Can't discriminate."
Lucia had recently been exposed for seeking a sugar daddy, and Vivienne's insinuation hit a nerve. "Dare to say that again, Vivienne, and I'll tear your mouth apart!"
"Coincidence, I dare!" Vivienne's lips curled into a sly smile. "You were caught in the Atherine Inn's presidential suite with a corporate bigwig by his wife. She stripped you and dragged you from the penthouse to the lobby. It cost half a million to bury the photos, and you're here to settle that debt. Basically, he played you for free."
Lucia froze. How did Vivienne know?
When Lila saw things were going south, she blocked the camera. "You little bitch, shut up!"
Vivienne's gaze shifted. "Almost forgot about you... Using your status as Lucia's sister, you embezzled three million from her team. You rejected lucrative roles for her, costing Lucia a hit show. Oh, and another thing, it was you who exposed your sister's hotel room number for fear that people might find out about your embezzling."
Lila went pale. "I... I..."
"Wow, so it was you! I'll start with your mouth!" In a rage, Lucia slapped Lila across the face.
Lila, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, engaged in a full-blown fight with Lucia.
Vivienne watched with satisfaction. There was nothing better than watching a dogfight.
Kala was stunned. "Vivienne, how do you know all this?"
These were secrets meant to die with a person.
Vivienne smiled mischievously, radiant and striking. "Gossip news, your favorite, right?"
Kala was speechless. She loved gossip, but this was no ordinary scandal.
During the live broadcast that evening, Paloma let slip the catfight between the Lucia sisters. In response, Lucia hired some online trolls to target Vivienne and Kala's broadcast with vitriol.
The trolls filled the chat with demands for Kala to leave showbiz. Vivienne, known for her sharp tongue, went into full clap-back mode.
When one troll said: [A murderer's granddaughter doesn't belong in showbiz.] Vivienne shot back, “And you do? Who's asking for you?”
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