Chapter 163

As soon as Nina saw Jonathan, she stopped. "Mr. Bennett," she called. Her feelings for him were complicated. He hadn't given her his "Heart Vote" that night.

Nina wondered, "What does that mean? Is Mr. Bennett trying to create distance, a boundary I never anticipated?" The thought pained her. Then there was Cynthia. Nina couldn't shake the feeling that Mr. Bennett's demeanor toward Cynthia was different.

That night, memories flooded back, especially what Celine had said at the birthday party: that Cynthia was Mr. Bennett's girlfriend in Roncrity, and they'd been together for three years. Now, it didn't seem like a baseless rumor.

"Come here," Jonathan said, glancing up. Nina approached him, showing him what she held.

"It's a snake egg," Nina explained, recounting Abby's hiding it in Cynthia's things. Jonathan's gaze darkened, his expression turning icy; a chill filled the air. Seeing his mood, Nina swallowed her questions, realizing this wasn't the time.

Just then, Alex stepped from the tent. "Nina, you're probably still shaken up. How about a walk to clear your mind?" Nina wasn't sure what time it was; the sky was still dark. Abby's pleas echoed from inside. She didn't know how long Cynthia would take to vent her anger.

Glancing at Jonathan, Nina felt a pang of disappointment, but accepted Alex's offer. "Sure, Alex, let's go." She deliberately glanced at Jonathan as she spoke.

However, Jonathan acted as if he hadn't heard. His gaze remained fixed on Cynthia's tent, lost in thought.

Nina remembered when Alex had offered to peel shrimp for her, and Jonathan had immediately stopped him. But now, he gave no response, and it stung. She followed Alex, feeling frustrated and sad as they walked into the night.

Only Cynthia and Abby were in the tent. Jonathan waited outside. Abby's cries pierced the night, blending with the flickering campfire, creating an eerie scene against the quiet beach.

Jonathan waited, unflinching. Cynthia, finally worn out, sat back on her air mattress while Abby lay on the ground, barely moving, her voice hoarse.

The pain was unbearable; Abby felt as if her bones had been crushed. She didn't know why it hurt so much. "Just let me go please"

"You won't get away with this, Cynthia! Once I'm out of here, I swear, I'll"

"I beg you, please let me go."

Her threats turned to frantic pleas. Abby's agony muddled her thoughts. Cynthia leaned back, catching her breath, and smirked. She hadn't hit Abby; it was a technique Simon had taught her—a brutal trick involving manipulating someone's joints and bones without permanent damage.

Simon had many quirky hobbies and had taught her quite a bit. She'd practiced it on mannequins but never thought she'd use it on a real person. It was surprisingly effective.

Cynthia was exhausted and covered in sweat. She looked down at Abby, who was sprawled on the ground, barely conscious, and asked, "Does it hurt?"

Abby gasped, "Hurts hurts so bad please just kill me." She thought she must be crippled; she'd heard her bones snapping.

To Abby, Cynthia was a monster. She was certain Cynthia had shattered every bone, leaving her crippled. Death seemed preferable. If she could move, she would have attacked Cynthia, no matter the cost.

Cynthia squatted and set the bones in Abby's arms back in place. "Good. It should hurt. Next time you think about scheming against anyone, I'll take those bones apart and leave them that way. Don't expect me to piece you back together."

A jolt of pain ran through Abby, but as it subsided, she could move. She checked her body—no fractures, no injuries, only an eerie relief. The searing pain had felt like a hallucination.

"Get out," Cynthia said, her voice ice-cold. Abby looked up, terrified. This woman was a demon. She bolted from the tent, trembling.

Abby hurried out to see Jonathan calmly stoking the campfire. As he looked up, she cried, racing to him.

"Jonathan, you have to stand up for me!" Abby pleaded, but his icy stare stopped her short.

Abby continued, her voice quivering. "Look at my face, all swollen from Cynthia hitting me! How am I supposed to film tomorrow?"

"You can't even imagine the torture I just went through—she's like a monster, Jonathan. She toyed with me, pulling my bones apart and putting them back, again and again. I'm still a living person, and she nearly killed me with pain!"

Tears streamed down Abby's face. Every word was genuine. The look of someone escaping a nightmare clung to her, fear and dread evident.

Abby continued, "Jonathan, you have to back me up when I speak to the director tomorrow. Cynthia is a walking time bomb. If she did this to me, she would do it to others too. People like her don't belong on this show."

Jonathan remained silent, watching her until her cries dwindled. Then, calmly, he asked, "Are you hungry?"

Abby was surprised and deeply moved. Feeling hopeful, she nodded eagerly. "Of course I am. I didn't have dinner tonight, so I'm in pain and starving."

Jonathan pulled something out and extended it toward Abby. His tone was steady, almost indifferent. "Then eat this."