Chapter 115

Scrolling through trending topics on her phone, Evelyn Sinclair couldn't believe the chaos unfolding between the two sides—each hurling accusations without a shred of concrete evidence. The sheer absurdity of it all baffled her.

But then again, the poll results had spoken.

After Adrian Cross’s explosive revelation, Seraphina Delacroix had no way to salvage her reputation. With her bridges burned with Sebastian Hart and Adrian, she resorted to painting herself as the victim, using the swirling rumors about the other two as her shield.

Seraphina’s latest tweet read: "I was just emotionally torn between them, unable to let go of either. I’m just a girl who wanted love, afraid of being alone. But I never imagined they were using me as their cover this whole time! I respect all orientations, but I refuse to be a gay man’s beard."

Classic Seraphina. Her strategy always worked—some fans would buy into her victim narrative, convinced they’d uncovered the "truth." And, of course, the self-righteous defenders of morality would blindly rally behind her.

What she hadn’t anticipated, though, was Adrian and Sebastian teaming up. They’d found a way to twist the narrative, dragging her down with them in a spectacular mutual destruction.

Their joint video statement dropped like a bomb.

First, they issued a sincere apology for their past scheming against Isabelle Laurent, admitting they’d been blinded by ambition and acted immorally.

As for their tangled relationship, Adrian confessed he’d been the first to realize his feelings for Sebastian went beyond mere admiration. The realization had been agonizing, especially since he believed Sebastian was still in love with Seraphina. So, he broke up with her, willing to step aside for their happiness.

But then—plot twist—Sebastian fell for Adrian instead.

Fearing public scrutiny, they’d enlisted Seraphina, their close friend, to act as their cover. They knew it was unfair, so they promised her future resources in exchange. She agreed.

Thus began their carefully crafted façade—the picture-perfect trio. If they were ever caught being intimate, it wouldn’t raise eyebrows. Seraphina was their smokescreen.

What they hadn’t counted on? Her greed. She’d turned on them to save herself.

The "intimate" photos leaked to the press? Staged. Otherwise, the paparazzi would’ve caught her sleeping alone in the guest room downstairs.

Evelyn nearly choked on her latte. "They actually went with this angle? Bold. But does anyone actually buy this?"

The internet was divided. Some called it a masterstroke of PR spin; others declared it the most ridiculous plot twist of the year.

"Why would Sebastian agree to this? He nearly got assaulted! He beat Adrian into the hospital! And now they’re… holding hands?"

The video showed Adrian leaning into Sebastian, their fingers tightly intertwined. Sebastian’s expression was unreadable—but there was a hint of something soft in his eyes.

"Damn," Evelyn muttered. "Isabelle really knows how to pick actors. He’s selling this."

A sudden cough snapped her back to reality.

She turned to Nathan Blackwood, who sat at his desk, watching her with an amused yet exasperated look.

"What?" she asked.

They were in his CEO office—because, of course, the workaholic had only taken three days off before returning.

The Blackwood family had been insistent that he needed assistance, given his injured arm. Evelyn, currently on a break from her agency, had reluctantly stepped in as his temporary assistant.

Nathan had been surprisingly considerate, adjusting his schedule so they didn’t leave for the office until nine.

But in reality? Evelyn spent 90% of her time scrolling gossip sites while perched in the chair beside his desk.

She’d been quiet—until now.

Assuming he wanted something, she asked, "Thirsty? Should I ask Lillian to bring water?"

Nathan gave her a look. He’d grown used to her mental commentary, but the sudden burst of emotions still distracted him.

"Hmm. Black coffee. Need to focus," he said.

Evelyn called in the order—black coffee for him, a latte for herself.

As he took a break, she couldn’t resist. "How did you predict this mess so accurately?"

She’d forwarded the poll to the rest of the Blackwoods, but she was the only one who’d guessed right.

Nathan’s eyes flickered. So that’s what the family group chat had been buzzing about. He’d skimmed it earlier, seen the drama, and ignored it.

Had they all participated in the poll?

Of course. Everyone else had free time. Only he was stuck working.

The resentment simmered.

"Simple cost-benefit analysis," he explained. "Sebastian was cornered. The rumors were inescapable, and his reputation was tanking. The smartest move? Spin it into something even more sensational. In this industry, truth doesn’t matter—only the juicier story does."

Evelyn smirked. "Adrian’s playing along, though. He knows what’s happening, and he’s letting himself be used. No—he’s volunteering."

This was a battle between obsessive, unhinged Adrian and cunning, ruthless Sebastian.

"Who wins first? Crazy Adrian melting Sebastian’s icy heart, or Sebastian bleeding Adrian dry?" The thought was deliciously thrilling.

She sipped her latte, scrolling through the chaos online.

Netizens were stunned. The most common reaction? "Team Duo Alpha just dethroned Team Young Again as the biggest joke of the month."

And then—the final twist.

Adrian and Sebastian announced their departure from My Acting Skill.

Same ending as Team Young Again.

Evelyn blinked. "Wait… so only three teams are left? They still have episodes to film. How’s that going to work?"

"Maybe… they’ll find replacements?" Nathan mused, equally unsure.

But the production team’s solution? A round-robin tournament. The remaining teams would face off in random matchups.

"That’s still not enough," Evelyn muttered, curiosity driving her to check the Gossip System.

What she found nearly made her spit out her drink.

Nathan raised a brow as her lips twitched.

"After the Duo Alpha disaster, the producers tried recruiting new teams. But guess what? No one’s biting. Even the desperate fame-seekers who begged to join before are ghosting them."

"Why?"

"They’re scared of clashing with Team A-List. Think the show’s cursed. Or—more likely—terrified their own skeletons will get exposed."

Evelyn scoffed. "Cowards."

Nathan smirked. Who would’ve thought the once-dominant show would become radioactive?

"Bet the producers are sobbing in a bathroom right now."

"Deserved," Nathan agreed.

Just then, Evelyn’s phone buzzed—a message from Marcus Donovan, asking her to retweet Isabelle’s post.

She’d been so engrossed in gossip she hadn’t noticed Isabelle had tagged her.

Isabelle’s tweet announced Evelyn as her official agent. Evelyn quickly reposted it.

With a million followers now, the comments flooded in instantly.

She refreshed, expecting Julian Blackwood’s usual congratulatory remark to top the list. But no—it was pushed to second place.

The top comment?

"Once you enter Evelyn’s fandom, there’s no escape. She’s the Gossip Queen—the one who blacklists. Come, let’s feast on the drama with her!"

Evelyn stared.

"What the hell?"