Chapter 110

"How," she quickly dismissed the thought. "Let's familiarize ourselves with the village first," Odalys said. "Then we'll see if there's a river behind the mountain."

Kirlian, wearing dark green loose pants and a light gray coat, walked ahead. "Follow me," he said.

"Why are you so careful?" Freya asked, putting on her coat and following.

Stellan, looking around the village, replied to her teasing, "The young people have likely left. The rest are older men, mostly single, it seems."

Freya quickly fell silent, understanding his implication. The fact that most of the men in such a remote village were single was unsettling, especially considering they were all participating in a variety show. While they didn't want to assume everyone was malicious, caution was necessary.

"I was wondering if we should help the villagers in exchange for food," Selah said, shocked. "This is a mountain village, after all. Beautiful, but survival must be difficult."

"If it's not necessary, don't disturb them," Odalys stated. "The production group only wants us to stay for a while. We just need to find our own food." She didn't want to avoid interaction, but the scent she'd smelled upon arrival made her wary. She remembered Evander mentioning the century-old clothing shop that customized clothes for the Stewart family. "But why would the owner take a dead person's clothes and alter them for Percival's father?" she wondered, a shiver running down her spine. Humans were unpredictable; caution was best.

"I agree," Freya whispered. "The village is too quiet. It's unnerving."

A cameraman, trailed by three staff members adjusting the camera angle, followed them. The scene appeared harmonious.

Audience comments flooded the live stream:

• "[My idol has really grown up! I remember he was only ten when he debuted!]"
• "[Fortunately, Group B is wary. It's good they're not interacting with the villagers.]"
• "[This is a variety show. If they don't interact with the villagers, how will they entertain us? Are they looking down on them?]"
• "[Am I the only one who finds this village creepy? And why did everyone go home before dusk?]"
• "[Odalys is discriminating against rural people. She needs to be canceled!]"

The haters seized on this, launching a scathing attack on Odalys. Viewers watched with bated breath as Group B left the village and entered the forest—an unknown and potentially dangerous place.

Meanwhile, Group A sat in their living room tending to minor scrapes and bruises.

"Don't you think it's strange?" Sophia said, changing the subject with a smug look towards the camera. "Our car crashed, and we only have bruises."

The photographer cleverly pushed the camera closer, giving her a perfect close-up. A calculating glint flashed in Sophia's eyes as she deliberately turned to showcase her profile, her slightly parted lips. This was her trump card—the profile that had made her famous.

"That's right," Atlas immediately chimed in. "If it weren't for Sophia, we wouldn't be so lucky. It's all thanks to you!"

Sophia smiled, glancing at them. "Don't say that. We're all lucky."

Franca, a silent observer until now, raised an eyebrow at Atlas and Sophia’s exchange. He noticed Sophia's V-neck top, revealing a glimpse of cleavage. Her posture, always angled to one side, further emphasized the neckline's effect.

"Are you two close?" Francis asked, creating a tense atmosphere.

"She's my sister," Atlas said quietly, then, in a lower voice, "The Rennen family has never publicly announced it" He continued, more loudly, "Sophia is my beloved sister! We watched her grow up. She's our parents' favorite." He touched her arm.

Sophia, surprised, looked at him happily, but then feigned annoyance, turning her face away. "We agreed I'd pursue my career independently. Why did you reveal my identity?"

Atlas, seeing her coquettish act, replied, "It's my fault! I hate seeing people bully and misunderstand you. You're too kind, always thinking of others."

Sophia's eyes welled up. She blinked, tears rolling down her cheeks, forcing a beautiful, pitiful smile for the camera. "I haven't been bullied or wronged. Everyone's been nice," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.

Finnian watched her, sensing something was amiss, something connected to the incident at the hospital. Since last night, he'd been consumed by thoughts of her, an uncontrollable urge to touch her, to feel safe.

"Is that so?" Finnian asked hoarsely, his voice revealing his disgust and loss of appetite. "Why don't I believe you?" he blurted out, his frustration boiling over. He found her image in his mind to be utterly different. He had fallen for her vulnerable appearance, only to realize a different truth. He’d even manipulated Odalys to marry Percival in Sophia's place, agreeing to be with Sophia and take her away from the Bennett family—ruining Odalys to save her.