Chapter 338

Evelyn Sinclair crossed her arms and shot Nathan Blackwood an exasperated glare.

Hah! Mysterious guest? If I'd known Kingsley Tech was backing this show, I wouldn't have invested that hundred million in Julian's project.

What a complete waste!

Nathan smirked and leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I could always have him return your investment."

As if I want your dirty money! Evelyn thought bitterly. When she deliberately turned away, Nathan cleared his throat.

"The production team arranged everything. You wouldn't sabotage the show just because of our... history, would you?"

Evelyn's icy gaze swept over him. "Sorry, Mr. Blackwood, but your charm doesn't work on me anymore." Her lips curled in a mocking smile. "Keep your distance, and don't interfere with my plans to sponsor these promising young talents."

Nathan's jaw tightened visibly. The muscle in his cheek twitched as he bit back whatever retort he wanted to make.

The director began explaining the game rules - a treasure hunt in an abandoned factory. Much safer than last week's death-defying challenges.

Evelyn smirked. Probably chose this dump to save on location fees.

Nathan looked displeased but couldn't object since the site had been booked months ago. The crew had cleaned the factory, but it remained gloomy and unsettling.

Peeling gray walls. Broken furniture scattered like bones. Tattered curtains fluttering like ghosts. The perfect haunted house setting.

Three floors. Three teams.

Adrian Blackwood and Julian Moreau took the ground floor.

Evelyn and Nathan got the second.

Ethan Caldwell and Sophia Laurent headed for the top.

As they ascended, Sophia clung to Ethan's arm, trembling. "It's terrifying here!" Her wide eyes darted to Evelyn. "Aren't you scared?"

Evelyn shrugged. "There are cameras everywhere. The crew's prepped every inch."

Sophia bit her plump lower lip. "Feels like we're in a horror film. I've been terrified of ghosts since childhood." She tilted her head. "You're so calm. Don't you believe in the supernatural?"

Evelyn's lips quirked. "My father raised me on Enlightenment philosophy. I minored in Marxist theory during my doctorate." She gave Sophia a pitying look. "Ghosts don't exist."

Sophia's face fell. Conversation over.

Nathan watched Evelyn with undisguised admiration. Everything about her fascinated him.

Reaching their floor, Evelyn bounded ahead eagerly.

Then - a shriek.

Sophia "slipped," tumbling backward directly toward Nathan.

"Help!" she wailed.

Nathan's eyes narrowed. If he dodged, she'd crack her skull on the stairs. In a split-second decision, he pivoted and -

Kicked her squarely in the back.

Sophia's graceful backward fall became an undignified faceplant. Her wails of pain echoed through the factory.

She'd hoped for a romantic rescue. Instead, she got a footprint on her designer dress.

Evelyn and Ethan came running at the commotion.

"Are you okay?" Evelyn helped the sniffling actress up.

From below, Adrian's laughter rang out. "Sophia, with all this space, you just had to fall on my uncle? How... convenient."