Chapter 7 Lost His Mind

• Comments were flying across the livestream.
• One typed: Is there something wrong with this Whitney?
• Another commented: Wow, she cursed on the show! Shouldn't the production crew intervene?
• Someone stated: The show doesn't have a rewind button. Did she really tell Corbin the meeting was at seven-thirty? If that's true, doesn't that mean she's abusing her power to avenge a personal grudge? What personal grudge could she possibly have against Corbin, though?
• One remarked: Our Cory doesn't have any connection with the infamous Whitney the Flop from the entertainment industry, okay? I suspect she harbors feelings for Cory, but her love was unrequited, and it turned into resentment!
• One netizen insulted: Honestly, Whitney the Flop should just leave the industry. Considering all the negative rumors about her, the fights, brawls, and reckless relationships, she's nothing more than a disgrace.
• Someone commented: I arrived too late and missed a lot of what happened earlier, but since Shane's in this, I'm definitely watching.
• The comments were streaming in fervently.
• However, those present at the scene couldn't see it. Hence, they were unaffected.
• In the end, it was Jared who returned with the plane ticket. Sensing that something was amiss, he forcefully dragged Corbin away.
• Corbin was grimacing, but he dared not be too outrageous in front of his senior, Jared. All he could do was voice his grievances. “I don't understand why she's treating me this way. She even splashed water on me to wake me up this morning. I've heard she's never done that to anyone else before...”
• Indeed, she never did that to anyone else. Jared said in a hushed voice, “The recording has already begun. All her actions must've been orchestrated by the production crew.”
• Corbin was taken aback. “Mr. Sayers, are you saying...”
• Jared and Corbin weren't close, so all the former could do was pat the latter on the back. “Let's wait and see. This is a live show, so whether it's intentional or not, the audience's eyes are sharp.”
• Upon hearing that, Corbin finally realized something. Oh yeah, this is a live broadcast. Whitney's blatant and unjustifiable attack on me is extremely malicious. My fans and the general audience will undoubtedly be greatly repulsed by her actions and will likely feel even more sympathy for me.
• With that thought in mind, Corbin had an epiphany. Could it be that Whitney was so deeply in love with me that she willingly tarnished her own image just to boost my popularity and help me win the hearts of the audience?
• When his train of thought arrived there, he felt suddenly enlightened.
• I knew it. The Saltzman family had never shown Whitney an ounce of warmth. I was the only one who had been there for her during her lowest points, showering her with unparalleled care and affection. How could she possibly resist such unique warmth? This foolish woman must have loved me so much that she became obsessed with me. When she splashed water on me and gave me the incorrect time, she probably felt heartbroken. Considering all that, Corbin immediately brushed off his gloom.
• He regained his handsome and warm demeanor in front of the camera.
• After a while, when everyone had gathered, Whitney was surprised to find Corbin actually smiling at her. What's going on with him? How could he be so cheerful even after being scolded? Had he really developed a tumor on the left side of his brain? “Let's board the plane.”
• The first stop was Friyx.
• On the plane, Corbin wanted to find an opportunity to speak privately with Whitney. However, due to the crowd and prying eyes, he ultimately had to give up.
• As soon as Shane boarded the plane, he began to sleep. It was quite normal for him to feel drowsy, considering that Whitney had added a sleep-inducing traditional medicine to his concoction.
• Everyone else also seized the opportunity to rest.
• Twelve hours later, everyone arrived in Friyx.
• Before getting off, a staff member called out to Whitney. “Come to the back.”
• When Whitney arrived at the back, Ivan immediately asked, “You're here as a temporary replacement on our show. Didn't your agent clarify this for you? Your role as a butler doesn't mean you're in charge of our five guests. In fact, you're their servant, and your primary responsibility is to take care of them.”
• “Haven't I been taking care of them?” Whitney asked, leaning against the cabin wall nearby, half-closing her eyes lazily. “Wasn't I the one who bought Shane's medicine?”
• Ivan was taken aback. “You're too harsh on them.”
• “That's merely your subjective perspective. In reality, I'm already quite gentle.”
• Ivan wore a stern expression. “I don't have time to speak to you that much. Regardless, just remember your place. Treat them in a warm and affable manner. They are all porcelain, especially Shane. He's an antique, while you're an insignificant vase. You must listen to them, understand?”
• “Okay.” Whitney responded nonchalantly, “Sure.”
• The plane landed, and everyone disembarked.
• Once they arrived at the airport, the production crew officially laid out the rules for the trip. In essence, the guests were given a hundred Epean currency. That sum was to be shared among five guests and a butler, and it was meant to cover all their expenses for the next three days. How they chose to spend it on accommodation and meals was entirely up to them. In addition to managing their budget, they were also tasked with visiting at least five local tourist attractions and checking in at each location. The cost of transportation to those sites was also to be covered by that hundred Epean currency.
• A hundred Epean currency, when converted, was just shy of eight hundred Clusia currency.
• Upon hearing that, everyone was undoubtedly astounded.
• Corbin asked gently, “Can we use our own money then?”
• “Of course not.” Immediately, the production crew members stepped forward, confiscating the guests' wallets and phones. The latter were then provided with local cell phones instead.
• Six individuals, in an instant, were left penniless. Throughout that process, Shane was always standing at the farthest corner, nonchalantly rubbing his temple.
• Stealing a moment, Whitney glanced at him, noting that his complexion had returned to normal. Seeing that he was fine, she then shifted her gaze away.
• Loretta said, “Let's find a hotel to stay in first. Does anyone know of any affordable hotels nearby?”
• Corbin chuckled. “I visited here last year. I think there's a rather affordable hotel near the airport. Shall we check it out first?”
• No one opposed the idea. Sasha glanced at Whitney and deliberately asked, “Ms. Butler, why have you become quiet since we disembarked the plane? Back in the country, you were quite fierce. Shouldn't you be taking charge in these uncertain times? Could it be...” Sasha blinked. “Could it be you can't speak Uprian? Are you scared?”
• Whitney, dragging her suitcase, approached her and said, “Firstly, remember that Friyxian is the main language spoken in Friyx. It's common knowledge. It's one thing to forget about that in front of me, but it's quite embarrassing to show such ignorance in front of foreigners. Secondly, before we disembarked, the production crew specifically warned me to listen to you guys. They said you guys are like porcelain and antiques while I'm just a nobody. So, I've decided that I'll only do what you all want me to do.”
• Sasha glared at her. “You...”
• Loretta mediated the situation. “Let's go. Corbin, you lead the way.”
• Sneakily, Corbin glanced at Whitney, then took the lead up front.
• Whitney trailed at the end, with the taciturn Shane by her side.
• To be honest, Shane attending that show was quite unexpected and peculiar.
• After half an hour of walking, Sasha and Loretta, who were wearing high heels, felt as if their feet were about to give out. Finally, they reached the so-called budget hotel. Upon inquiring, they found out that the price was twenty-five Epean currency per room.
• “There's only a hundred Epean currency in total. Given our number, even if we squeeze a bit, with men and women each taking a room, it's going to cost fifty Epean currency. Staying for three days would amount to a hundred and fifty, and that's not even factoring in meals and transportation,” calculated Loretta.
• Corbin felt a bit awkward as he said, “This hotel is the cheapest one around here.”
• Loretta hesitated, suggesting, “Why don't we stay for a night and see if there are any cheaper hotels tomorrow?”
• In the end, they could only resort to booking two rooms. With that, half of their budget vanished in a blink.
• The standard room was quite cramped, which Sasha found rather distasteful. Loretta didn't comment, while Whitney remained expressionless throughout.
• After everyone had set down their luggage, they all expressed their hunger. However, upon checking the hotel's menu, they decided to venture out for food instead.
• When they gathered, Shane was nowhere to be seen. Loretta asked, “Where's Mr. Quimbey?”
• As Jared was about to respond, Corbin interjected first, “The production crew said he's gone to the hospital. Let's head out first, then. We'll bring back some food for him later.”
• When everyone went out together, Whitney still maintained an air of not fitting in with the group.
• “Let's go here,” Corbin suggested. Having been to Pillere before, he naturally assumed a leading role in the group. He had chosen a bustling restaurant, causing some in the group to worry about the potential expense.
• Corbin laughed and said, “Well, it's the first meal. We can start saving afterward.”
• He had already spoken, so everyone had no choice but to agree.
• When Whitney entered, she caught a glimpse of the restaurant's signature dish.
• It was scallops with white wine sauce, something she enjoyed.
• At that moment, a barely noticeable gaze suddenly swept over to her. When Whitney looked up, her eyes met with Corbin's. There seemed to be something hidden in Corbin's gaze, and he even flashed her an unexpected smile.
• Whitney was speechless. There's a loose screw in his head.
• Everyone was hesitant to order too much food, but considering the size of the group, they ended up spending twenty-five Epean currency in the end, despite their frugality.
• “This amount of money really isn't enough for anything,” Sasha complained.
• When they returned to the hotel, Shane was already back. Jared watched as Corbin attentively handed over the takeout food to Shane, and he couldn't help but furrow his brows.
• “Forget it.” Loretta gently patted Jared's shoulder from behind, whispering, “Kids have these quirks.” They tend to go all out to impress those they perceive as popular.
• Shane didn't touch the food that Corbin had brought back, simply stating, “I've already eaten.”
• Corbin was quite disheartened. In front of the camera, he displayed a forlorn expression, murmuring to himself, “I really, really adore Shane.”
• Jared was nearly left dumbstruck.
• In Shane's presence, Corbin would do everything to ingratiate himself with the former. When Shane left, Corbin immediately turned to the live broadcast camera, playing the victim. He subtly hinted that Shane was ungrateful, hurting his feelings.