The confessional clip didn't air on time.
Too raw.
Too real.
Too unscripted.
But someone leaked it.
Not the full video—just a 30-second snippet.
> Lina, eyes glinting under low light:
"I know you're watching. Come out and stop hiding."
Within two hours, it had 3.9 million views.
The comments split like a blade.
> "Is she calling out someone?"
"This girl's fearless."
"What did she mean by 'not afraid'?"
It only added fuel to her growing legend.
And somewhere behind the curtain, someone watched the footage and hissed.
"She's smarter than she looks."
---
Later that night, Lina sat on the rooftop of the hotel, legs tucked under her, the necklace still cold against her collarbone.
Kael called her.
She picked up after the first ring.
"Thanks for the necklace."
"You're welcome."
"You're mad at me."
"I'm not."
"You left."
"You were busy being brilliant."
"…Kael."
He sighed, just once.
"I was there to protect you, not distract you."
"You're not a distraction."
Pause.
Then, soft:
"You're an anchor."
---
> [System Pulse Reading: Heart Rate Elevated – Positive Emotion Detected]
New Tag Added: Emotional Affinity – High Stability Zone
---
The next day, a new contestant arrived.
Late addition. Surprise wildcard.
Sora Hwang—a half-Japanese, half-Korean idol trainee who'd just returned from a scandal abroad.
Pretty.
Poised.
And immediately glued herself to Lina.
"Is it true?" Sora asked, eyes gleaming.
"Is what true?"
"That you're Kael Marlowe's favorite project?"
Lina blinked. "Project?"
"Don't act coy. You've got his eyes on you. That's not small."
Lina looked at her. Steady. Cold.
"Then I hope you're not small either. Because eyes can burn."
Sora grinned. "Oh, I don't burn. I scorch."
---
Behind the glass walls of production, Kyra raised an eyebrow. "We've got a firestarter."
Riven tilted his head. "Two, actually."
---
And somewhere far from the stage, Mira received a package.
Inside: a thumb drive.
Unlabeled.
She plugged it in.
Video footage loaded—Kael and Lina in the studio garden.
Hands brushing.
Eyes locked.
A voice behind her chuckled.
"She took what should've been yours."
Mira smiled, sickly sweet.
"Then I guess I'll take everything she has left."