Burn the Marriage, Keep the Crown

Abby had never heard such a reason before. She stood there, stunned for a long moment, unsure what to say.

Serena, however, just smiled and spoke up, "Director, honestly, I think it's great. Let everyone else fight for screen time-I don't have to compete. It's a win-win."

Abby was speechless, her frustration nearly choking her.

This girl-so naïve.

If it were anyone else, they'd be scrambling for every chance to shine.

Was her plan to use Serena to stir up buzz for the show already doomed? Abby refused to give up. "Serena-"

Serena cut her off, glancing at her reflection with a hint of embarrassment. "Director, if that's all, I'd like to fix my makeup." She gestured at her false eyelashes, barely hanging on.

The makeup artist hadn't exactly done a stellar job.

Abby could only sigh in despair. "Go ahead."

Serena headed to the dressing room, grabbed a bottle of makeup remover, and wiped her face clean.noveldrama

She reapplied a light, natural look.

Her features could easily carry a bold style, but the makeup artist's skills were so lacking that even the eyeliner was crooked.

A voice suddenly drifted from behind her, soft and ghostly: "So you came back to redo your makeup, huh?"

Serena's hand jerked, her eyeliner slipping off course. She met Cynthia Lynwood's gaze in the mirror, eyes glinting coldly.

Cynthia quietly closed the door behind her.

The moment Serena saw this, she immediately pulled out her phone, opened the camera, and aimed it right at Cynthia.

Cynthia's face flashed with awkwardness.

Then she managed a polite smile. "Come on, Serena, don't be like that. I just wanted to let you know—Aaron posted something on social media yesterday. You saw it, right?"

Serena didn't lower her phone. "Don't come any closer. Stay right there."

Cynthia's smile faltered, but after a moment, she forced it back. "Serena, you don't have to be so hostile. Aaron and I are getting married—there's nothing about you that threatens me anymore."

"Then why are you here?" Serena's voice was icy.

Cynthia's face blanched, but she quickly recovered, her smile returning. "I'm sure you don't want to see me any more than I want to see you. So maybe...you should just quit the show."

"You'll pay my breach-of-contract fee?"

"Of course." Cynthia didn't even hesitate.

Serena laughed. "Do you even have the money?"

Cynthia's cheeks colored instantly. "I... I'm about to become the future Mrs. Vance, you know. Of course I'll have money."

"So, you don't have it now." Serena finished her eyeliner and stood up slowly.

She was taller than Cynthia, her presence instantly overpowering. Standing over Cynthia, she seemed to look down from a great height.

Cynthia, stung, threw caution to the wind and snapped, ignoring that Serena was still recording. "Serena, what's the point of all this? Do you really think hanging around Aaron will make him notice you? Let me tell you, you're dreaming. Aaron promised to marry me. He's not going back on that. If you know what's good for you, you'll leave the show now!"

Serena couldn't help but laugh at Cynthia's attempt to turn the tables.

Honestly, she'd only joined the show for a chance to see the antiques brought back from Eldoria at the grand finale. She didn't have much drive to compete. But since Cynthia was so desperate...

Serena smiled sweetly at her. "You do realize this show is an elimination competition, right?"

A dark premonition flickered across Cynthia's face. "What...what are you saying?"

Serena's lips curled, her smile as harmless as a bunny's. "Just make sure I'm not the one sending you home."

All the color drained from Cynthia's face.