Chapter 5 Act Recklessly In Despair

• She turned around, suddenly finding herself back in Sasha's room.
• “Ah!” Just as Sasha was about to get out of bed, she dove back under the covers. She curled up tightly, clutching her head, and wrapped herself up like a cocoon, vowing not to let a single strand of hair peek out.
• Whitney entered the bathroom, grabbed a bucket, and filled it with water.
• The cameraman was a bit startled. “W-What are you planning to do?”
• As Whitney carried the basin of water outside, she answered, “Don't worry. Do you really think I'm the type to act recklessly? We're still livestreaming. Would I dare to splash water on someone?”
• The cameraman thought her intention of carrying water might be to intimidate the guest.
• To his surprise, Whitney barged into Corbin's room two minutes later, and without even turning on the light, she dumped the bucket of water directly onto the warm, inviting bed in the room.
• The production crew was stunned.
• “Who did that?” Corbin was instantly jolted awake.
• Only then did Whitney leisurely turn on the light.
• Corbin's face was filled with shock when he saw Whitney appear out of the blue. Ever since the incident with Bruce, no matter how much he tried, he could no longer get in touch with Whitney. Even when he reached out to the Saltzman family, they told him that Whitney hadn't returned home at all.
• “You...” Corbin wanted to say something, but seeing the crew filming in the background, he suddenly realized what was happening. This left him even more astonished. Does this variety show also feature Whitney?
• “Time to get up,” Whitney casually said with a smirk, holding a bucket in one hand and leaning on the bed with the other. She was looking at Corbin, the man she wished she could reduce to ashes herself. “Meet downstairs at seven-thirty. If you're late, you'll miss the ride.”
• After she finished speaking, she walked out with the staff.
• The door to the room was shut once again. Corbin stared at the utterly soaked bed and at himself. His brows furrowed deeply.
• When Whitney was drawing the third name, the cameraman finally caught on and asked, “Did you misspeak just now? Did you say we were to gather downstairs at half past seven?”
• “Seven o'clock.” Whitney, holding the third card, proceeded to the next room without any change in expression. “Can't you remember the time to gather?”
• “I think I also heard you say it was half past seven,” another member of the production crew mumbled. “Could it be that I misheard?”
• With a scoff, Whitney grumbled, “You're up so early, still not fully awake, huh? Maybe you should go wash your face to freshen up.”
• The production crew fell silent. Given the certainty in Whitney's voice, they thought they had misheard. They even thought everyone was still groggy because it was early in the morning.
• After waking another two guests, only one person was left.
• Whitney looked at the name, and it belonged to an experienced actor in his middle age.
• After swiping the keycard to enter, as expected, the person inside was still asleep.
• Whitney switched on the light, a touch of respect for her elder evident in her demeanor. “Mr. Wagner, it's time to get up. The show is about to start.”
• Wagner was the surname of the experienced actor.
• The person under the blanket stirred, following which a slender arm was raised. The man turned over, shielding his eyes with the back of his hand. From beneath his palm, his ink-colored eyes, filled with displeasure, peered out.
• In an instant, Whitney was frozen stiff.
• Glancing down at the card in her hand, she saw it was indeed for Damian Wagner's room.
• However, the person before her was Shane.
• At the same time, in an official live-streaming room with only a few people, sporadic comments started to appear on the screen.
• Shane? Am I still half-asleep, seeing things?
• Wait... Is Shane on this show? Is Shane really on this show?
• There wasn't a whisper of this beforehand, and the lousy officials didn't promote it. Had I known Shane was going to be here, I would have rallied the hundreds of friends in my group to come and watch the show.
• Are you still commenting? Really? It's a rare morning photo of Shane. Aren't you going to take a screenshot?
• I understand the reasoning, but why is Whitney here? Isn't this woman completely clueless?
• In the hotel room, the aloof and haughty man lifted the covers, getting up from the bed.
• Clad in a set of dark pajamas, he sat on the bed, his eyes narrowed in a penetrating gaze. He coldly observed the surrounding people, questioning, “No one thought to knock?”
• Whitney noticed his lips were unusually pale. His complexion also didn't look quite right. Could it be the after-effects of an alcohol intolerance from yesterday?
• She quickly reined in her thoughts and said in a strictly professional manner, “Everyone should gather downstairs before seven. If you're late, you'll have to make your own way to the first stop.”
• The man's brows furrowed even more.
• Again, the viewers starting commenting. One wrote: I'm done for! I'm done for! I'm done for!
• I don't mind looking at Shane's handsome face! Please, just glance at me, Shaney!
• I don't understand why Whitney is on this show. D*mn it! She's such a rotten apple. I want to stop watching this show, but I want to see Shane. I'm so torn right now.
• In the hotel room, Whitney remained stern and formal. “I've delivered the message. You have half an hour. Make it quick.”
• After waking all five guests up, the production crew instructed Whitney to collect her luggage and wait downstairs to see who would be the first to appear.
• Whitney descended the stairs, and, as expected, the first one she encountered was Sasha. She had already applied her makeup meticulously, looking stunningly beautiful.
• As soon as Sasha arrived, she cast a glance at Whitney. She had heard about Whitney's dirt, but she didn't expect that despite the negative reputation, the production crew still dared to include her. However, for a show to be interesting, one or two villains were necessary. She guessed that Whitney was probably brought in to stir controversy. After all, controversy could also boost the show's popularity.
• With that suspicion in mind, Sasha found a spot, intending to sit down.
• Whitney, sitting on the couch, watched as Sasha moved to sit across from her. Her brows furrowed as she asked, “What are you doing?”
• Sasha paused, not yet seated on the couch. She asked in confusion, “What's wrong?”
• “I'm asking you, what are you doing?” Whitney inquired, with an indifferent expression.
• Sasha was taken aback for a moment before she straightened her posture. “Can't I sit?” she asked.
• “Of course not. Did I say you could sit?” Whitney asked nonchalantly, her tone teetering on the edge of arrogance.
• Sasha was dumbfounded, her eyes wide open in disbelief. “Do I need your permission?” she asked. Whitney is just a mere servant in this show. Who the f*ck does she think she is?
• Suddenly, Whitney leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. Her face, devoid of makeup yet stunningly beautiful, wore a sarcastic smile. “I'm the butler,” she said.
• Sasha nodded, raising an eyebrow. “I'm aware. I heard they're planning to assign a butler to take care of our daily needs.”
• Whitney suddenly let out a laugh. Her demeanor, so full of self-importance, had taken Sasha aback. “Take care of your daily needs? Oh, that's right. I'll take care of you all. I'll do a very good job of it!”
• A chill ran down Sasha's back.
• Sasha was someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong. The one thing she dared not provoke was anyone who was domineering.
• She initially thought Whitney was universally criticized online and expected her to be humbled and submissive. To her surprise, Whitney was the type to act recklessly in despair. In fact, Whitney was even more reckless than the most audacious among them.
• From then on, Sasha knew not to offend Whitney.
• And so, by the time the second guest arrived, they were surprised to find Sasha standing at attention.
• The second guest to arrive was a B-list celebrity named Loretta Diedrich. She walked over to Sasha, puzzled, and quietly asked, “What's going on?”
• Sasha immediately mumbled, “Loretta, I—”
• Suddenly, Whitney, who was engrossed in her phone on the couch, coughed twice without lifting her head.
• Sasha was taken aback.
• Unable to continue the conversation, she whispered, “There seems to be an issue with the contract. The production crew is stirring things up, and the butler is incredibly intimidating. Enough said. Come, stand over here quickly after setting down your luggage. You need to stand at attention, or you'll be made to squat if you can't do it right.”
• “What? Squat? Isn't this a travel show?” Loretta wasn't convinced.
• At that moment, Whitney, seated on the couch, abruptly lifted her head. Her gaze, cold and detached, swept across the room.
• Loretta was stumped.
• “Ah! She's looking this way! She's looking this way! Quick, Loretta, stand properly!” Sasha said.
• And so, by the time the third guest arrived, the first two female guests were already there. The third guest was shocked to see them standing at attention in their high heels.
• The third guest was a man, a middle-aged actor named Jared Sayers.
• With a career spanning over two decades, Jared was a veteran in the field. He approached with a smile and casually remarked, “What are you guys up to? It seems quite interesting.”
• Three minutes later, after receiving a brief instruction, Jared stood next to Loretta. Having frequently acted in war TV series, his military stance was impeccable.
• The fourth one to come down was Shane.
• Upon seeing Shane unexpectedly among the guests, the first three were taken aback, instinctively wanting to speak.
• At that moment, Whitney suddenly stood up, flipped her phone around, and announced, “It's seven on the dot. Everyone's here. Let's get in the car.”
• Shane's complexion was still rather poor. His black coat's collar was upturned, partially concealing his jawline. The corners of his eyes were slightly reddened, a clear sign of a sleepless night. He stood beside the couch, his gaze fixed on Whitney.
• Whitney didn't meet his gaze. She merely waved her hand, instructing the staff to lead the guests outside to the vehicles.
• At that moment, Sasha asked, “Aren't there supposed to be five people? Seems like one guest hasn't arrived yet.”
• Whitney, dragging her suitcase, stopped in front of Sasha. “I said seven o'clock, didn't I? Who's not here? Do you want to stay and wait for him?”
• Sasha immediately shook her head vigorously.
• “Then? Aren't you leaving yet? Do you need me to carry you out?”
• Sasha, swift and nimble, dashed out with her suitcase in tow.
• Loretta and Jared hurried to catch up, not expecting the cunning of the production crew. They were told they would be provided with a butler to serve them, but they ended up with a devilish instructor. Where's the promised relaxing and free-spirited travel show?
• Unbeknownst to them, the production crew was also holding an emergency meeting at that moment.
• “What's going on with Whitney?”
• “Does she not know what a butler is supposed to do?”
• “Didn't anyone tell her what a butler's job entails? She should be humble, serving coffee and water, making a fool of herself, and doing silly things to charm the male guests that would attract fans' ridicule. Can't she do that? What on earth is she doing now? Who gave her the right to command the guests? She doesn't have that authority!”
• “Should we pause the livestream first and have her come over for a talk?”
• “Find a moment to subtly tell her that. The livestream cannot be interrupted.”
• “What about Corbin? He's not here yet?”
• “He was told to meet at seven o'clock, and that is the time it should be. Later, a team will be arranged for him, letting him make his own way to the airport. For some reason, he wants to challenge the rules. Are you sure he was informed to meet at seven?”
• “Yes. It was Whitney who went from room to room to announce the time.”
• “In that case, it's his own issue. He isn't particularly influential, yet his temper is far from small. Even Shane didn't arrive late.”
• Hence, when Corbin arrived at a quarter past seven, the hall was eerily quiet, devoid of a single soul.
• He asked his following cameraman and crew, “Haven't they arrived yet?”
• The staff member wore a blank expression. “They've already left, Corbin. You'll have to figure out a way to get there by yourself. If you can make it to the airport before eight, you'll still be able to catch the flight.”
• Corbin was taken aback. “Didn't we agree to meet at seven-thirty?”
• “Seven o'clock. Who said it was seven-thirty? You must have remembered it wrong.”
• Corbin didn't know how to react. I clearly remember Whitney saying seven-thirty. There's no way I could have misremembered. This is definitely something Whitney did on purpose! Indeed, she still holds a grudge for what happened with Mr. Lambert, and she even refuses to answer my calls, completely ignoring my attempts to explain.
• A stern look emerged on Corbin's face. First, Whitney dumped a bucket of water on him, then she lied about the time. This b*tch is clearly intent on opposing me to the end! All right! Bring it on!