Chapter 198
Harvey Group was doing everything in its power to keep Selina’s true relationship with the Harvey family under wraps. If the truth got out, it could be disastrous for their reputation. There were whispers and speculations, but without solid proof, it remained idle gossip. The influence of Harvey Group was so strong that they managed to keep the story from trending, preventing any deeper investigation. Most media outlets knew better than to challenge such a powerful entity- no one wanted to be the first to push too hard and risk being blacklisted. While a scoop like this could be highly lucrative, the potential cost of crossing Harvey Group made it too risky.
Your
Humbleactor wrote: [Ashley, don’t worry about it. I can help you redecorate tomorrow. A girl’s room should look cozy, right? Joseph was fuming over Selina’s recent behavior but knew better than to confront her directly. Past encounters had taught him that challenging Selina head–on only led to him being shut down. Instead, he chose to focus on comforting Ashley.
Strivingandaspiring replied: [Thanks, Joseph.] Ashley’s mood lifted slightly. It felt good to have Joseph on her side. She thought to herself, Selina might act like she’s better than everyone, but in reality, she’s never had the family love she desperately craves. The Harvey family’s affection and attention are all mine, no matter how much Selina stirs up trouble. In the end, they’ll always stand by me.
Ashley was convinced that the more Selina tried to assert her superiority, the more she would push people away. She knew Selina’s longing for family wasn’t just an act – it was a deep–seated need. Yet, Selina’s defiance and apparent disregard for the family only seemed to highlight her struggle with feeling unloved. Ashley believed that while this behavior might momentarily draw some attention to Selina, it would mostly generate more dislike for her. But because Selina was a member of the Harvey family by blood, they had to care for her, albeit reluctantly.
“There’s only room for one Harvey daughter, and that’s going to be me,’ Ashley thought. “Selina can keep dreaming.
If Selina could read Ashley’s thoughts, she would probably laugh. To her, the Harvey family was full of crazies, and she no longer cared about fitting in. Whoever wanted that family could have them.
The rest of the tasks in the show were uneventful, especially compared to the tension between Selina and Ashley. The other contestants didn’t have such deep–seated grudges, so their interactions were tame and somewhat boring. Viewers were already hoping for the production team to stir the pot again – maybe by pairing Selina and Ashley together for another task, or even Selina and Joseph. That would be far more entertaining than the show
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itself.
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But in the next round, something intriguing happened – Selina got paired with Garrett. Their task v was to sing a song a cappella, with no restrictions on the theme. This was right up Garrett’s alley, as he was an idol singer. Garrett was in the same group as Joseph and Ashley, and his extra attention to Ashley had already ruffled some feathers among his fans. He knew that his career depended on maintaining his image as the ideal idol and a charming figure. Though he had some talent, it wasn’t enough to let him abandon his stable fan base and pursue a solo career as a powerhouse vocalist. So, he had to keep up the facade for his fans. Garrett thought to himself, “This is perfect! Watching Selina constantly bully Ashley has been torture, but I couldn’t step in without causing drama. If I outshine Selina in this task, it’ll be a subtle way to help Ashley get some payback – without stirring up any rumors among the fans.
Liketodanceandrap wrote: [Selina, why don’t… you go first?]
Destroyerwhitelotus replied: [Gentleman go first.]
Since Selina insisted, Garrett didn’t argue. He entered the group’s livestream and began to sing his debut track, “City of Dreams,” a cappella, His smooth baritone, combined with his natural flair for performance, demonstrated that Garrett was more than just a pretty face. Unlike those idols who rely on studio tricks to sound good, Garrett’s voice had real substance, even without any backing music. This was one of the reasons the production team had chosen him as a regular guest.
They wouldn’t waste their time on those who relied solely on looks and fan service. While such idols might have been brought on as guests to capitalize on their popularity, directors often looked down on them. These idols focused on making quick money without any long- term vision. They were often hollow, their values corrupted by the easy money and dark undercurrents of the entertainment world. Some eventually faced exposure and had their reputations ruined.
But Garrett wasn’t like that. Even as an idol, he had been working hard to improve his craft, determined to shed the “idol” label and be recognized as a true artist. Max and Lance admired such hardworking juniors, which is why they continued to support Garrett by introducing him to valuable connections and resources. When Garrett finished his song, the live–stream audience erupted in applause.
One viewer commented: [Garrett nailed it, as always!]
Another said: [Such a genuine live performance- no auto–tune here. Garrett is impressive!]
Someone noted: [Garrett has improved since his last performance. It’s no surprise he’s my
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favorite; he must be working really hard behind the scenes.]
And someone else shared: [Watching Garrett perform feels like witnessing a personal milestone. Supporting an idol is such a gratifying experience!]
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Max and the other guests showered Garrett with praise, which he accepted with a humble smile before exiting the livestream. He breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the satisfaction of a job well done. Not only had his performance showcased his current abilities, but it had also allowed him to subtly support Ashley by overshadowing Selina. It was a win–win situation, and he hoped Ashley would take notice.
Then, Destroyerwhitelotus entered the live stream room. Selina appeared on–screen, casually dressed, with her hair cascading over her shoulders. Even seated, she radiated a stunning beauty that could captivate anyone, regardless of gender. Her natural elegance and commanding presence were irresistibly attractive. In the soft, warm light of the room, her flawless face seemed almost ethereal, so perfect it was breathtaking. Viewers could practically feel their hearts skip a beat.
Even Garrett found himself momentarily mesmerized by Selina’s extraordinary beauty. While Ashley had a softer, more delicate charm, Selina’s looks were striking and
commanding. In terms of sheer appearance, Selina easily outshone Ashley, her allure strong enough to attract legions of fans.
Besides that, Garrett noticed a subtle resemblance between Selina and Joseph – a likeness that Ashley didn’t share. Maybe it was just a trick of the light. Still, despite Selina’s stunning appearance, her unpredictable and intensé personality was off–putting. She was someone to admire from a distance, but getting too close was a risk few would dare to take. Garrett valued more than just looks – he cared about character as well. Ashley’s kindness, sincerity, and considerate nature made her Garrett’s ideal type.
Ashley couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy every time she looked at Selina. She had always believed she was the most beautiful woman around, and for the longest time, that had been true. As the adored daughter of the Harvey family, Ashley was accustomed to being the center of attention, with people constantly flattering her, envying her looks, and wishing they could be as stunning as she was. That adoration had made Ashley feel invincible. But Selina’s arrival changed everything. Selina had inherited their parents‘ best features.
Joseph had to admit that Selina looked remarkably like their parents. It was impossible to deny that Selina was part of the Harvey family. Why does it have to be Selina?‘ he thought, frustration bubbling up inside him. For a moment, everyone in the room was lost in their own–thoughts.
