Chapter 68

The director and crew members twitched at the sight of the talismans Lucy White pulled from her bag.

"Will those things actually help in a survival challenge?" someone muttered under their breath.

Ethan Smith, however, tilted his lips in amusement, a glint of laughter in his eyes. Of course—she always had her own unique way.

"Lucy, are those talismans for exorcising ghosts?" Daniel Miller teased.

Lucy winked mysteriously. "You’ll find out soon enough."

"That cryptic?" Daniel scratched his head. "Now I have to keep watching."

As everyone packed, most brought extra bags—except Lucy and Ethan, who stuck with the standard-issue backpacks provided by the production crew.

Noticing this, Michael Johnson silently tossed aside his excess luggage.

Meanwhile, Lily Green and Olivia Davis were still stuffing cosmetics into their bags, drawing a wave of sarcastic live comments.

"How are we splitting into teams?" Ethan suddenly asked.

All eyes turned to the director.

The director had originally planned to stir up drama, but under Ethan’s pointed gaze, he caved.

"Free teaming," the director said with a dry laugh. "Two guests and eight trainees per group."

Before the words fully left his mouth, Ethan turned to Lucy. "Team up?"

"Sure," Lucy agreed easily.

Lucas Young and his four friends immediately rushed over. "Lucy, take us with you!"

Nathan King raised his hand eagerly. "We want to stay with Ethan!"

In the blink of an eye, their ten-person squad was complete.

Daniel groaned. "Ethan, you’re too fast!"

Michael’s face darkened, his fists clenched white.

Meanwhile, at the Johnson family villa…

Edward Johnson shook his head at the screen. "This dumb kid—always a step behind."

Rachel Johnson, however, smiled approvingly. "Ethan’s a good one. Knows what he wants."

"Wife, that guy’s clearly doing it on purpose!" Edward protested.

"So what?" Rachel shot him a look. "At least he acts. Unlike our son, who can’t even string a sentence together."

Edward: "…"

Back on the island, Robert Lee sighed. "Ethan, leave some chances for the rest of us."

Ethan arched a brow. "First come, first served."

Daniel turned to Michael. "Want to team up?"

"I refuse to be in the same group as Lily," Michael stated bluntly.

The director nearly choked. "You’d really leave two girls stranded?"

"Absolutely," Michael said flatly.

The live comments exploded:

[LMAO Michael’s brutal honesty!]

[The director’s face is priceless!]

[That’s our top-tier star—no filter!]

[Wow, zero chivalry…]

Lily’s face cycled through shades of green and white, her nails digging into her palms.

The director rubbed his temples. "Rules say you must take one female guest. Choose."

The air froze.