Chapter 157

The four of them took out their phones and opened the group chat. They saw that Phoebe had tagged James, Lexic, and Jimmy; the group in the larger chairs wanted to come to their room to watch the fireworks show together. Then, Maddox sent a photo showing a table full of snacks. He warmly welcomed the three of them to join.

James and the others agreed without hesitation. They all went to Maddox’s room. Maddox even deliberately took a group photo and posted it in the chat.

Joshua and his team felt a bit annoyed after seeing the messages. They knew Maddox was absolutely doing this on purpose. Joshua huffed angrily. “What’s their deal! They only invited the other group and completely ignored us!”

He really didn’t want to squeeze into the crowd just to take a check-in photo. Watching the fireworks show from a hotel room meant they could get a direct view of the center without having to push through people. Not only that, but they could also comfortably sit on the sofa, eating snacks.

Jamar sighed. “You just realized this?” They had been ignored like this since the first episode. Sienna deliberately sighed in front of the live broadcast camera. “They’ve already formed their own clique, Joshua, don’t even bother thinking about it. They’re never going to invite us.”

Reece glanced at Joshua and said bluntly, “Have some self-awareness.” Then he put on a mask to cover his face and walked toward the crowd. Even though he didn’t care much about anything, he still had to complete the check-in task.

Joshua felt irritated. He said, “They’re being too much!” Jamar shrugged. “Well, nothing we can do about it. They don’t care about us at all. Let’s just go take the check-in photo.” He also put on a mask and followed Reece.

Sienna was frustrated at how Reece and Jamar were just accepting the situation. After all, they were being isolated and excluded. Joshua was also annoyed and said impatiently, “Let’s just take the check-in photo and leave.” Sienna sighed inwardly. All of them are useless! She had no choice but to follow.

Meanwhile, their fans were getting angry.

[Phoebe and Maddox are too much! They invited one group but deliberately ignored this group.] [That’s right. How rude.] [They’re blatantly forming cliques and isolating Joshua’s group!] [Maddie already said before that they’ve formed their own clique.] [They had a falling-out in the first episode. Since they don’t like each other, why fake it!] [Maddie and Phoebe aren’t the type to force themselves to be polite.] [They spent their own money to stay in a hotel with a great view of the fireworks. Why shouldn’t they decide who to invite!] [I love how clear-cut they are! If they don’t like someone, they don’t pretend. Why should they have to act all nice!] [Honestly, well done!]

Chapter 157

This variety show is all about being real, so isn’t this exactly what real looks like! [Their fans still don’t get it.]

Since Maddox and Phoebe’s fans disliked Joshua’s group, they naturally didn’t want their idols to compromise or act fake. The way they saw it, the conflict was already out in the open, so there was no need for pretense. The fans of Joda’s team didn’t expect the other two teams to be so self-righteous as to form a clique themselves.

Soon, the fireworks show began. Phoebe’s group of six sat by the window, taking photos of the fireworks display for their check-ins, chatting and snacking. Half an hour later, the fireworks show ended.

Maddox checked the time and suggested, “It’s still early. Want to go to a bar?” He was just looking for an excuse to spend more time with Phoebe. Since Phoebe was always indulgent toward the people she liked, she immediately agreed. “Sure!”

Quintus smiled. “I’ll follow wherever you guys go.” Jimmy grinned. “I’d like to go too!” James and Lexie naturally had no objections. Phoebe quickly searched online. Then, the six of them went to a reasonably priced bar.

After they settled in, Maddox took another photo and posted it in the group chat. He did it just to provoke Joshua’s group. Knowing Joshua’s personality, there was a good chance he’d take the bait and follow them.

At that moment, Joshua’s group had just gotten out of the crowd, about to head back to the hotel. The moment Maddox posted the bar photo, Joshua was immediately annoyed. He suggested, “Let’s go to a bar too.”

Jamar frowned. “You’re not thinking of going to the same bar as them, are you?” Joshua raised an eyebrow. “Yeah, why not? If they can go there, why can’t we?” Jamar sighed. “Do we even have enough money left?”

Since the bar name was visible in Maddox’s photo, Sienna quickly looked it up on an app. She said, “This bar isn’t too expensive. If we don’t order high-end drinks, we have enough money.” She wanted Joshua to step up and find a way to regain their lost ground, so she supported going. Reece also wanted to see Phoebe, so he said, “Let’s go then.”

Since the decision was made, Jamar, who didn’t really want to go, had no choice but to follow. The bar wasn’t far, and a ten-minute cab ride later, the four of them arrived. By coincidence, the table next to Phoebe’s group was empty, so they walked over and sat down.

Joshua deliberately walked up to Phoebe’s group and greeted them, “What a coincidence!” He just wanted to annoy them. Maddox smirked. “Yeah, really coincidental.” He knew Joshua had totally fallen for his trap.

Phoebe looked at Joshua with amusement. “Welcome!” Joshua was the reckless fool out of all the Jenkins brothers. He was the most impulsive. One little push, and he jumped straight in. She had chosen this bar not just because it had good value but also to set a trap for Joshua. Maddox was great. He didn’t even need her to explain anything. He just played along perfectly. Otherwise, she had planned to send a few more photos in the group chat to lure Joshua in.

2/3 12:12 PM

Chapter 137

Joshua noticed their odd attitudes. They were neither annoyed nor surprised, almost like they were expecting this. He felt something was off. He awkwardly laughed and went back to his seat.

As they drank for a while, a beautiful young woman stepped onto the small stage in front of the bar counter. She announced that anyone who liked to sing could join a friendly sing-off challenge. It was one of the bar’s signature activities.

Every table had two buttons, a red one and a green one. If the audience liked a singer’s performance, they pressed the green button. If at least one-third of the room voted green, the singer could continue. If more than half the audience pressed the red button, the bar staff would politely ask them to leave the stage. The two people with the most green votes at the end would face off in a final round.

The bar started getting lively as people got excited for the challenge. The woman spoke in Darmechia’s language, so Maddox translated for the table. Phoebe then turned to Quintus and said, “You should go up. I believe in you.”

Joshua always acted like he was leagues ahead of Quintus. So, Phoebe wanted to let random strangers and the live stream viewers judge which of them was the better singer. Based on what Phoebe knew about Joshua, the moment Quintus went up, Joshua would definitely follow. He was full of confidence, thinking he could crush Quintus. And then, he’d fall into the trap she had set. She would create the perfect opportunity. Whoever managed to suppress Quintus first, she would use that person to step on Joshua even harder.

By now, Quintus understood Phoebe pretty well. One look at the sly smile in her eyes and the glance she sent his way, and he immediately figured out her plan. His heart warmed. “Alright, then I’ll go first.” He wouldn’t let Phoebe down. So, he stood up and confidently walked onto the stage.

The moment the bar guests saw a handsome young guy stepping up, they cheered enthusiastically. Seeing this, Joshua scoffed. He wasn’t impressed at all. At the same time, he had already made up his mind. As soon as Quintus finished, he’d go up next and crush him. He wanted Phoebe to finally realize that she had picked up nothing but a worthless loser.