Ch. 281..285: My Sugar And Your Spice Chapter 281-285

Chapter 281 Her Various Sides

“If you guys planned on giving us only pasta from the beginning, you could’ve just put the stick of butter into the bowl, and we’ll make buttered noodles. Why go so far as to give us pots and pans, and even this barbecue grill?!” said the male celebrity who called himself a pit master while waving dismissively.

Then, everyone quickly realized there wasn’t even basic oil and seasoning, let alone a stick of butter.

“This is a special arrangement from the crew. Everyone will have to figure a way out. No outside food allowed, though,” one of the cameramen announced as he lifted his camera a little over his head, worried the celebrity guests would hammer him.

The celebrity guests, on the other hand, were rendered speechless. Not only do we have to figure it out ourselves, but we can’t get outside food either. What do they want us to do, eat grass?!

Not even the best cooks could make dinner without ingredients. With that, everyone just looked at each other with no game plan in mind, and the enthusiasm from earlier gradually diminished.

At that, everyone looked toward Leo in unison.

Because of how he showcased perfect leadership on the show last time, everyone placed their hopes on him now. However, they quickly realized his attention wasn’t on them but elsewhere.

Curious, they followed his line of sight to notice Amelie and Fiona setting the chairs and table, and the originally chaotic scene became organized.

Better yet, the two even decorated the table with some wildflowers they had picked.

“Well, aren’t you a patient one? To think you still have the mood to arrange flowers under these circumstances.” Fiona gazed at Amelie admirably.

She was genuinely impressed.

Amelie smirked in response, and as she continued arranging the flowers, she pulled a smile. “What else am I supposed to do when I’m stuck in this situation? Cry?”

“Why do I think you have already devised a plan, though?” The actress looked at her with great interest.

To that, Amelie nodded and pointed toward the distance. “See that? There’s a river at the foot of the mountain. I saw quite a few fish there, and they’re not species that a river in the wild can produce. The crew dropped them there in advance.”

“Oh?”

Though she had also wandered around and even seen the river earlier, she certainly didn’t look as closely as Amelie did.

Foxy sure is unlike any other.

“Even so, what can we do? They haven’t provided us with any fishing equipment, not even a hook. How are we going to catch them?” Fiona furrowed her brows with worry.

“Simple!” Amelie snapped her fingers. “Call Fabian and the others over.”

Though Fiona was somewhat upset that she had to call Fabian over, she still did so, and behind Fabian followed Lilith and another male celebrity.

“You must be joking! Catching fish? In this kind of river? How are you going to do it? By hand?” Lilith burst out laughing after hearing Amelie’s game plan.

She even gestured with her hands at that.

Amelie was aware that the young woman had a problem with her, so she said nothing but only pointed behind Lilith with her chin.

Lilith turned around in response, and her face blanched as soon as she saw the cameraman following her.

In the end, she stomped her feet in anger and said nothing more as she moved aside. However, her gaze remained judgmental. Evidently, she didn’t believe Amelie could come up with any good plans.

“Lilith’s right, though. All we have is our hands. How are we going to catch any fish?” Gabriel, the other celebrity, asked as he leaned toward Lilith a little, comforting her with his gaze.

At that, Amelie removed her jacket and said, “You guys should also remove whatever outerwear you can.”

“Are you asking us to take off our clothes? What is the meaning of this?!” Lilith questioned again, displeased.

The others were shocked as well.

“Don’t tell me you don’t know how to fish, and we’re just your experiment!” Hostility enveloped Lilith’s voice this time, for she never responded well to being ordered around, and everyone’s gazes turned profound as well following her questioning.

Just then, a clean, gentle voice traveled over. “If Foxy says she can, then she can.”

Then, a white jacket was handed over. “Here’s mine.”

Everyone turned around and found Blake handing a white overshirt to Amelie with a smile.

With the white overshirt removed, the only shirt left on him was a wife beater, which made him look much more like the boy next door as the white shirt enveloped his thin body.

Blake’s eyes were curved into crescents as frankness and sincerity enveloped his face, believing she could do it from the bottom of his heart.

“That’s right. If Foxy says she can, then she can.” Fiona came to herself as well, and she removed the jacket she had wrapped around her waist and gave it to Amelie generously.

Seeing that she supported Amelie, Fabian followed Fiona in removing his jacket.

The others naturally said nothing when they saw the three of them supporting Amelie’s decision, and apart from Lilith, everyone handed their jackets over one after another.

Following that, Amelie quickly and skillfully tied everyone’s clothes together to form a massive piece of cloth.

“Fabian, Blake, Gabriel, I’ll need your help later,” said Amelie, to which the guys agreed naturally.

With that, the group headed to the river.

Lilith, on the other hand, stood rooted to the spot with her arms crossed in front of her chest, but seeing that the crew also followed everyone to the river, she finally went as well at the thought that she could see Amelie embarrass herself.

“You must be joking! Catching fish? In this kind of river? How are you going to do it? By hand?” Lilith burst out laughing after hearing Amelie’s game plan.

She stood afar and found Amelie ordering the three men to lay the jackets at the bottom of the river, then had everyone pulling on a corner while she stirred the aquatic plants around with a stick.

“What is this? An ancient ritual of catching fish?!” The members of Team A followed over as well, and Jodie crossed her arms in front of her chest, quirking her lips in disdain as she watched Team B do their thing.

This woman only ever does anything and everything weird. I still haven’t forgotten how you tied my head to a rope!

However, it never occurred to Jodie that Amelie had only done so because Amelie was worried that she would fall into the water. If anything, she believed Amelie was only messing about.

“Who knows?” Lilith moved a little aside, hoping that even more people would watch Amelie humiliate herself.

Meanwhile, a row of people stood at the bank, and a deep voice suddenly rang out behind them. “She’s chasing the fish out.”

Everyone reflexively looked behind and found that Leo had arrived behind them some time ago. As he pressed his lips lightly together, he fixed his profound gaze on Amelie, looking like he was only gazing at her. At the same time, it seemed like he was looking deep into her heart.

He didn’t miss a single movement she made.

Amelie was wearing shoes, but she didn’t seem bothered at all that the water would soak her shoes wet.

Right then, she was still hitting the aquatic plants and crevices with the stick in her hands, so focused that she wasn’t affected by the people ashore. Her eyes were agile and twinkling brightly like the stars in the universe.

He had seen her domineering, jaunty, and alluring side, but never did he think that she would have this side to her as well.

He believed he wouldn’t be surprised at all if she had a thousand sides to her, for there seemed to be no end to her potential.

Just then, a long-lost memory came to him. “I’ll take you somewhere we can catch fish when your eyes have healed, okay? I’m really good at catching fish, I’m telling you. When the time comes, I’ll show you my best trick!”

Did Big Eyes catch fish like this too?

No one said anything else after Leo pointed out what Amelie was doing. Still, they were baffled.

What fish can there be in these waters other than inedible ones? What are we going to do with them? Decorate our plates with it?!

Splash!

Just then, erratic movements came from the waters, and everyone saw a massive silhouette dashing across the river.

Chapter 282 Steal Her Man

“Oh my gosh, it’s a fish. It’s massive!” Giada exclaimed softly.

The others saw it too, and they all appeared amazed. Who’d have thought?!

The fish had been spooked, and it swam right into their trap.

“Now!” commanded Fabian when the right time came.

With that, the three guys lifted the clothes.

Splash!

The water seeped through the clothes continuously and flowed back into the river, leaving a fish that was about five pounds flopping around in there.

At that, Fabian gathered the ends and sealed the fish inside, rendering it immobile as it swayed its tail helplessly.

“Incredible!” Everyone applauded.

Meanwhile, Amelie wiped the sweat off her forehead out of habit, only to remember she was wearing a mask when she touched it.

The camera crew was so amazed by Amelie’s unusual fish-catching method that instead of filming, they brought the large white container over.

With that, the fish slipped into it, taking up half the space.

“That’s a big grass carp,” commented someone who knew what type of fish it was.

Later, Fabian led a few guys to fill the container with water, and just like that, the fish no longer flopped around but swam calmly inside.

“You have to hand it to Foxy. She sure has her ways!”

Their praise became like nails on a chalkboard for Lilith, and her originally smug face turned beyond grim.

Jodie pouted as well, surprised that Amelie was so capable.

But surely Blakey wouldn’t like a barbaric woman like her. An unadulterated man like Blake will only like otherworldly women. Sure, Foxy’s image was passable before this, but now that her ugly side has come out, Blakey will be repulsed.

At that, she looked toward Blake, who was standing in the water with his hands drooped by his sides and his pants rolled up. The droplets of water stuck to his fringe complimented his brilliantly bright eyes, which were locked onto Amelie intensely and affectionately.

For a moment, Jodie was captivated by the man’s gaze, and she wanted nothing more than to become Foxy right then so that she could bear the honor.

Following that, she clenched her fists, and the anger within her was set ablaze.

Damn you, Foxy. How dare you steal my man?! Blakey’s mine!

Furious with rage, Jodie kicked a rock on the ground with all her might, pretending it was Foxy.

Take that, you vixen!

Lo and behold, she stubbed her toes from overexertion, and she held her toes while grimacing in pain. Just like that, her perfect image was gone.

Meanwhile, Team B caught another fish using the same method, and seeing that it was just about enough for them, the group carried the two large fish out of the water.

While Team B caught two fish using Foxy’s method, Team A became green with envy as they watched the scene develop.

After all, none of them were willing to stray from their image and do something like that. Besides, it was humiliating to catch their fish using Amelie’s method.

“Come. I’ll make buttered noodles for everyone!” Chester announced, unable to applaud the opposing team at all.

With that, he glanced at Giada before striding away.

The others returned to the campsite as well, feeling upset.

Ellen, on the other hand, stood a distance away from Leo. She wanted to approach him, but then, she was worried she’d piss him off.

He looked really scary when his face was grim. She bit her lips piteously.

Meanwhile, Jodie came over and glared daggers at her. “What’s there to look at?! Leave!”

At that, Ellen tucked her neck and followed everyone back to the campsite, no longer daring to stay a second longer.

At the same time, Giada deliberately swayed her shapely figure as she walked toward Leo after taking a gander at those returning to the bank and latched her amorous gaze onto the man. “Mr. Alston, I’m pretty skilled if I do say so myself, and I also know a few ways to whip up delicacies. I’ll find some stuff and make them for you later—only for you.”

While speaking, she leaned in closer toward Leo, and her gaze practically told him what she wanted; her actions couldn’t be any more explicit.

However, the man merely strode away as though he never heard a word she said. In fact, he never even spared her a glance.

Giada, on the other hand, didn’t feel defeated at all despite his impassiveness, for she had gotten a good grasp of Leo’s temperament after spending such a long time with him. Instead, she narrowed her alluring eyes while a deeper desire to subjugate him surged within her.

Meanwhile, Team B was highly motivated since they managed to bag themselves a good catch.

After carrying the fish back to the campsite, Fabian and the two other guys voluntarily put up the tent while Amelie pulled out a knife to prep the fish for cooking.

Fiona, on the other hand, squatted next to her with nothing but admiration in her eyes. “Who would’ve guessed that you know how to catch fish and gut them? You are what they call Miss Perfect. So, tell me, is there anything you don’t know?”

To that, Amelie disagreed with amusement. “How can anybody be perfect? It’s merely because I was a playful child, and my dad let me mess around because he spoiled me.”

Amelie’s eyes beamed brilliantly as she recalled the childhood she spent with her father, who spoiled her. He would support her no matter how ridiculous her ideas got.

If she wanted to catch fish using clothes, Steven would bring her all his clothes.

If it weren’t for his coddling, she probably wouldn’t have come up with such a brilliant plan for this.

“Your dad sounds amazing.” A hint of envy flashed across Fiona, and something hit her. “By the way, why would you be aware of the river, and how did you know the crew dropped some fish in there?”

She couldn’t help wondering if the crew had told Amelie about it in advance.

Amelie smiled and answered, “It was just a guess. No way would the crew only give us pasta, and remember how they didn’t tell us anything about today’s challenge? I figured they would do something with the food. There’s nothing but grass around here. Since the field isn’t a wise place to hide food, it can only be in the water.”

“Come. I’ll make buttered noodles for everyone!” Chester announced, unable to applaud the opposing team at all.

“Genius!” Fiona was genuinely impressed with Amelie. “Weren’t you worried that you’d be wrong, though? What if they actually hid the food up in the mountains?”

As Amelie focused on descaling the fish, she pursed her lips and answered, “They wouldn’t have done so. There’s no sign of anyone ever going up there. Besides, putting food up there will lure the ants to them easily.”

Only if the food was alive would they not have to worry about any accidents or infections, and the only best possible living thing would be a fish.

“I see.” Fiona realized how different she and Amelie were at this point. With a brain like Amelie’s, it was no wonder she could gain a hundred million fans.

By the time Fabian and the guys finished setting up the tent, Amelie had cooked up a piping hot pot of fish soup with one of the fish.

For the final touch, she sprinkled some wild herbs from someplace she got into the soup, making it look mouth-wateringly good.

At that, Fiona served everyone a bowl, to which they all gushed, “Amazing!”

Yeah, right. Chester came out with a plate of odd-looking pasta as he spoke. Though the man didn’t speak out his thoughts, his expression said everything.

“Eat up,” he said while placing the plate on the table.

“What is this? Why is it charred?” Jodie pitched her nose rudely, wearing nothing but contempt on her face.

Just then, someone went over and took a spoonful of pasta.

“Pfft!”

It was so bad that they spat it out directly, leaving Chester in an awkward position.

Compared to Team B’s milky fish soup, his was… a disaster, to say the least.

“Come on, guys. Have some.” Amelie walked over and placed a tray on Team A’s table.

On the tray were six bowls of fish and soup.

Jodie wanted to discredit Amelie when she saw the bowl of soup, but it smelled incredible, and it looked amazing too. Plus, she was already famished, so she drank it without saying a word.

“Wow, this is amazing.” Gordon took a sip too and gave Amelie a thumbs up.

At that, the rest of Team A quickly grabbed a bowl for themselves.

After everyone had taken their share, Amelie noticed there was still a bowl left on the tray.

She looked up and found Leo sitting not far away like a statue.

If her memory served her right, he had been sitting in that position for a long time, looking afar.

Who knows what’s running through his head?! Either way, he never cared for anything I did.

With that, she picked up the tray, intending to bring the bowl of soup back to her team.

“Wait.”

A voice sounded just as she turned around.

Amelie turned back around and saw that Leo had left the chair. He then strode toward her.

Chapter 283 Her Days at the Alston Residence Had Been Hard

Leo reached out and took the bowl.

What happened? Amelie looked at him in surprise. Is he going to throw the soup away? Even if he dislikes me, there’s no need to show it to my face, is there?

She was lost in thought, but next, she saw him taking the bowl and lowering his head to drink the soup.

H-He’s actually drinking the soup I made?

To Amelie, this was a rare occurrence. It was too strange.

“It’s delicious.”

It wasn’t until Giada came over that Amelie came back to her senses. Seeing Giada praising her and smiling at her, she also smiled. “You can have more if you like.”

“Oh, no, I need to lose weight,” Giada refused, twisting her slender waist. All this while, her eyes were hooked on Leo, who was drinking the soup not far away.

Leo had not noticed Giada’s gaze. All his attention was focused on the soup in front of him.

The milky white fish soup was silky smooth and refreshing, with a hint of sweetness in the tenderness, and not all fishy.

Without oil, salt, or seasonings, it not only didn’t affect the taste but also retained the original and authentic fragrance.

Didn’t know Amelie’s cooking skills is this good.

“You are a talented person.” Fiona walked over and hugged Amelie’s shoulder. “Unlike me, I can only sing a few songs and act in a TV drama. I can’t do anything else.”

Her admiration for Amelie in her beautiful eyes came from the heart.

Amelie smiled bashfully. “Actually, I was like you before. My father highly pampered me, and I couldn’t even fry an egg, let alone make fish soup. If it weren’t for—”

She stopped herself in mid-sentence.

Fiona looked at her strangely, not knowing why she had stopped talking.

Meanwhile, Leo slowly pursed his lips and put his attention on the ladies. After listening to their chit-chat, he could guess that Amelie learned cooking after marrying into the Alston Family.

Initially, he detested her, so he never paid attention to her preferences and talents. In his memory, she spent most of her time in the kitchen.

At that time, naturally, he thought she was good at cooking.

Which manipulative woman never considered getting a man’s heart by learning cooking?

“You must have had a hard time learning how to cook.” Although Amelie didn’t explain further, Fiona saw through it.

Amelie smiled. As a girl in her early twenties marrying into her husband’s family, unable to even cook a meal, her first stage of suffering undoubtedly came from her mother-in-law Melissa’s contempt.

Melissa treated this as Amelie’s crime. She nagged Amelie countless times every day, accusing her of aspiring to climb the social ladder yet having no intention to learn how to serve the rich.

In Melissa’s eyes, Amelie’s marrying into the Alston Family was her trying to curry favor with the rich. Hence, Amelie was not qualified to enjoy herself and could only serve them.

Rather than saying Leo got himself a wife, it was more like the Alston Family got themselves an unpaid servant, me.

In order to avoid Melissa’s nagging and attract Leo’s attention, she started to work hard at learning cooking and hoped to use her culinary skills to keep her husband’s interest, but no matter how hard she tried, the early stages were always painful.

There were many difficulties, and every time she cooked, she burned herself in various places, her hands, her body, and even her face.

This kind of training continued for a whole year before it started getting a little easier.

Amelie was excellent at other things but really bad at cooking.

That was also the reason why it took her so long to be able to cook a decent meal.

Looking back, nothing was worth mentioning. It was all in the past.

“How hard could it be? Cooking for the person you love is the best feeling,” Giada cut in.

She was talking to Amelie and Fiona, but her eyes were still on Leo.

“I just love cooking, and everything I make is absolutely top-notch.” Giada’s self-praise didn’t get a response from Fiona, so she turned and walked back without any regard for the camera pointing at her.

Amelie was slightly stunned, surprised at Fiona’s attitude toward Giada.

With the camera around, it wasn’t good to frame Fiona as someone aloof, so Amelie had to take over and say, “Ugh, cooking is what I dislike the most. I hardly ever went into the kitchen for the first twenty

years of my life.”

Meanwhile, Leo’s hand shook a little. So, when she married into the Alston Family, she had to force herself to do things she didn’t like? I don’t know what’s her intention, but saying so only serves to prove that she married into the family because she genuinely feels something for me. Did she fall for me at first sight? Or was it because of the one-night stand?

Leo’s mind was in turmoil, and he couldn’t help but walk back quickly in the direction of Amelie.

Amelie was about to turn around when a tall figure suddenly appeared in front of her. She was stunned to see Leo.

“Would you like some more soup to drink, Mr. Alston?” she asked with a smile while looking at his bowl.

He did not respond, and his gaze fixed on her.

His sudden movement and intense gaze made the cameraman immediately point the lens at the two of them.

Why is he looking at me like that? Through his deep, dark pupils, she felt herself falling into a deep sea, and nothing could be seen clearly.

She could only reach out to take the bowl. “Let me.”

Leo did not let the bowl go.

Their hands held the same bowl simultaneously, and the atmosphere became even more mysterious.

Amelie looked at him puzzled. “Mr. Alston?”

The cameraman finally realized something. He smiled and focused the camera on the two people.

The daytime scene was a live broadcast, and the cameraman was carrying live broadcasting equipment.

‘What does Leo mean? Is he interested in Miss Foxy?’

‘Isn’t he with Elyse?’

‘They’ve already broken up. Now, he’s with someone named Ellen.’

‘Damn, he’s fickle.’

‘Why do I feel like he’s just so-so toward the Clayton sisters but different toward Miss Foxy?’

‘There’s something about the way he looks at Miss Foxy. It’s how my boyfriend looks at me.’

‘With love in his eyes?’

Although she was unaware of the comments in the live chat, Amelie’s scalp still tingled. These snippets are going to be aired. If they are misinterpreted, it will be hard to explain.

Thinking of this, she retracted her hand.

However, Leo suddenly reached out and grabbed her wrist.

Just when he was about to grab it, there was yelling.

Ellen was running over holding her scalded hand up high in front of Leo. “Ow! Ah! It hurts.”

As she spoke, her eyes were filled with tears.

Her body happened to be in between Leo and Amelie, and she accidentally touched their hands, causing them to move away from each other.

This small action could be considered as saving Amelie. She secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Leo did not miss her expression of relief. His eyebrows furrowed deeply, and his expression turned thunderous. Does she hate my touch now?

“My hand… It hurts.” Ellen shed tears in front of him while looking pitiful.

He stiffened his face and took his gaze back to focus on Ellen’s hand.

She had already put her scalded hand into his palm.

Standing on the side, Amelie didn’t know what was happening in Leo’s mind. Seeing him frown, she thought he was just sympathizing with Ellen and silently sighed. It’s obvious who is his favorite. It’s just a little burn, and he’s so heartbroken. I used to hurt myself every day cooking for him, but he wouldn’t even bother to take a glance at me.

As Amelie thought about this, she walked back, unable to help but think about Ellen’s relationship with Leo. How did such an introverted girl get involved with Leo?

Just as she was thinking about this, a figure appeared in front of her and blocked her way.

Chapter 284 It Hurts, Leo

Amelie looked up and was greeted by Giada, who was sporting a tight outfit. She was standing in a position that could show off her allure as much as possible, her gaze on Amelie. “You like Mr. Alston, don’t you?” she whispered. And her gaze stayed on Amelie. Gaze as piercing as a sword.

“No,” said Amelie coolly.

Giada tilted her head. “I see.” And then she left, swaying her hips.

Amelie had seen enough people to know that Giada liked Leo. The way she looked at him and the way she acted around him was enough proof. Another moth to the fire, huh? And she turned back as well.

Fiona helped her with the dishes. While the cameraman was elsewhere, she whispered, “You should stay away from Giada. And tell Blake to do that too.”

Amelie was surprised that Fiona would make that remark as the latter barely ever talked behind any actor’s back. Amelie only nodded in response.

Fiona liked that about Amelie. She knows everything, yet she knows what not to speak.

When they were done with the dishes, the gentlemen were already grilling the fish. They lathered the fish oil on the fish and turned them around on the grill.

Blake was there as well. He did not reek of the grease of an unkempt man. Even a crude job like fish grilling looked like art when he was doing it. The slivers of smoke that wafted into the air swirled around him, covering him in a veil of mystery, not unlike the protectors of the elf king behind a shield.

“Man, Blake’s the goal of every guy out there.” The cameraman snapped photos of Blake.

Not every man could have the air of grace and innocence Blake had. Even though he would choke on the smoke from time to time, Blake would keep up his smile, and everyone admired him for that.

Through her mask, Amelie looked at Blake, and a smile curled her lips. He’s a big boy now. No longer the dejected kid he once was. Now he’s happy and joyful. Wonder who’s going to be lucky enough to date him?

And then she was presented with a fish. “Here, done,” someone said. Amelie looked before her and realized that it was Blake. He was holding a piece of fish filet in his gloved hand. The skin of the fish was golden and crisp, but the flesh was white with fresh smoke billowing from it.

He cut a slice of the fish and fed Amelie with it.

Since Amelie had no gloves on, she gulped the fish right off his hand. “This is good.” She closed her eyes and sighed in enjoyment. Her face was gleaming, and she looked like a fairy dancing through the lush, verdant woods around her.

“Really?” Blake smiled like a child who just got complimented by his mother. His eyes were gleaming, but he was only gazing at Amelie.

Whoa. This is just as beautiful as the scene in the water. The cameraman quickly set the camera rolling.

“Don’t they look loving?” Noticing this, Ellen said, sitting on the boulder.

Leo was bandaging her wound, and he raised his head just in time to see that scene, and he balled his fist.

“Ouch.” Ellen gasped and held her wrist. “You’re hurting me, Leo.”

Leo snapped out of it and let go of the bandage to dress her wound again. After dinner, the contestants went around for some fun and scattered when night had fully descended. It had been an exhausting day,

and everyone returned to their tents. They were split into two groups, and each group would get two tents.

Every tent would have three people in it. Amelie soon fell asleep, but a mosquito bite woke her up at midnight. She got up silently and sprayed some insect repellent around. It was silent. Not even a bug’s chirp was heard. Aside from the tent, the only thing she saw around her was a row of lights. Dim lights. Their illumination was limited, but Amelie couldn’t sleep, so she followed the path of these lights as she stared around at the night. A chilly breeze kissed her, sending shudders down her spine, and she hugged herself.

She turned back only to realize the tents were already some distance away. It was a safe place, but she didn’t want to leave the tents too far. Just when she was about to go back, she noticed, under the tree illuminated by some light, a woman suddenly hugging the man before her. Hold on, that’s… The light shone on the hugging pair, and Amelie noticed who the man was.

Leo? Is he making out with Ellen at this hour? They could’ve just told everyone they were dating and be done with the show. Why this surreptitious act? Not like it has anything to do with me, though. She ignored them and tried to leave.

But then she heard the woman whisper, “I’ve been in love with you for a while now, Mr. Alston.”

That’s not Ellen! Amelie froze, and the woman spoke again.

“Aw, don’t give me the cold shoulder. I’m a girl too. Whatever Ellen can give you, I can too. And I can do better than her. Wanna grope my milkers?”

Giada! Amelie was in shock. She knew Giada liked Leo, but this was a brazen behavior. She’s been flirting with all the guys, and Chester only came to this show for her. And she never refused his help. So, he’s her backup plan?

This woman is a h… Best not to finish that thought. I can see why Fiona dislikes her. Then sounds of footsteps broke Amelie’s train of thought. She raised her head and was met with Leo. Despite the darkness of the night shrouding his face, she could still feel the air around him tensing up, and she shuddered. She thought he would go around her, but instead, he came to a stop mere inches before her. What’s he trying to do?

Are we in a staring competition? Wait, what am I thinking? This is awkward. I wanna hide in a hole.

Leo said nothing, staring at her.

Amelie felt perspiration forming on her head, and she waved her hand. “Hi, Mr. Alston.” And she put on a nervous smile.

Leo could see her clearly thanks to the light, and he noticed her grin. His face fell, and then he left without saying a word.

Huh? Amelie stared at him. I have a feeling he was angry at me. Because I saw them making out? That’s a bit of an overreacting, isn’t it? To not make things even more awkward, since Giada was following Leo closely, Amelie went away in a hurry so she wouldn’t see Giada.

Her head was hung low, and she didn’t realize that Leo had slowed down. He was clearing out the obstacles for her, and when they came back to the tents, he went around the tent she was in. Giada saw that, however, and she bit her lip, her eyes fixed on the two of them, and her gaze dripping with venom.

Amelie came back only to see Blake standing outside her tent. He was looking at her with worry in his eyes. “Can’t sleep?”

“Blake?” Amelie looked at him, surprised. “You can’t sleep either?”

“Yeah,” he lied. He came because he knew she couldn’t sleep well in new places. He knew she might get up at night, and he wanted to accompany her. Back when Amelie got up, he had already emerged from his tent, but in case she felt uneasy around him, he only watched over her from a distance.

“Get some sleep. We have work tomorrow.” Amelie smacked his sleeve and yawned. I just saw some nightmare fuel. Better stay in the tent now.

“Sure.” Blake returned to his tent, but just before he entered it, he stopped and looked at Leo, who was in the other tent. And he frowned.

Chapter 285 Snake Bite

The sun rose early the next morning. At the break of dawn, the contestants had already woken up, and the host made his appearance. Their task for the day was picking and making tea. It was then the contestants realized that there was a mountain near the camp, and on it were fields of tea leaves. These people went all their lives drinking tea, but not once did they ever make tea. Delighted by the task, they urged the production team and everyone to set off at once.

But then, a scream pierced through the air. Everyone froze, then Chester ran into Team A’s tent.

“Giada’s in trouble, huh?” Fiona approached Amelie.

Amelie looked around. The girls were all here, save for Giada. Just when she was about to say something, two more cries rang from the tent, and everyone ran toward it.

Just before they could enter the tent, Giada screamed shrilly. “A snake! A snake bit me!”

Everyone’s faces fell. Fabian tore the entrance’s curtains open, and everyone looked inside. Giada was all curled up, holding her leg. She was screaming and looking as pale as a ghost. Chester was white as well, hiding in a corner. And then everyone saw a green snake slither out of the tent, moving as fast as a bolt of green lightning.

“Am I gonna die?” Giada burst into tears, fearing for her life.

Chester snapped out of it. “Where’s the doctor?”

Fabian ran inside and picked Giada up. And then he quickly darted over to the production team. The staff members were taking it seriously. Fortunately, they had a medic with them, and Giada was taken into the trailer. With the snake emergency looming over them, the contestants’ earlier passion was fully doused. They waited for a while, and the doctor eventually came out.

“How is it?” Chester asked in a hurry.

The doctor took his gloves off. “The snake is not venomous, fortunately. I’ve given her the serum, so she should be fine.”

Chester heaved a sigh of relief, but he asked, “Where did that snake come from?”

Giada hobbled out of the car, and Chester quickly held her.

“Yeah. Where did that snake come from?” Giada’s eyes were red with fear, and she looked at the tents. We barricaded the tents with sulfur. There’s no way any snakes could’ve gotten into the tents.”

Obviously, someone put the snake in her tent when everyone was sleeping. Or so she accused.

“Yeah, true. We did that.” Everyone looked at one another in suspicion.

“Why don’t we call the cops?” someone suggested.

“What say you, Foxy?” Suddenly, Giada turned her attention to Amelie. “I’m in distress. Perhaps we should call the cops.”

What is she trying to say?

“What are you talking about? You think Foxy was the one who sabotaged you?” Fiona snapped. She didn’t like Giada’s attitude.

Giada didn’t hold back. “I see no other suspect. She knows what she did last night.”

What? Amelie gave Giada an awkward look and turned her attention to Leo. Leo was in the distance, looking at them calmly, as if he was just a spectator. When Amelie looked at him, he met her eyes, but she saw no panic in his gaze. Only serenity.

Something happened last night? The other contestants gave Amelie a gossipy look.

Amelie quickly looked away, lest someone saw her meeting eyes with Leo. “A bold yet uncorroborated accusation, Miss Yates.” She thought I would put a snake in her tent just because I saw her hugging Leo last night? That’s a big leap of logic there.

Giada shuffled over to Amelie and huddled closer to her. Then she hissed quietly, “I know you’ve hooked up with Mr. Alston. You got mad jealous because I hugged him last night, and that snake was your attack on me.”

Me, hooking up with him? Where did she get that idea? Gods, she’s stupid. “I didn’t do anything, Miss Yates. Do not accuse me of something I didn’t do.” She took a step back. Don’t want her stupidity to rub off on me.

“I’m pretty sure you’re just denying your crimes. We might have to call the cops,” Giada growled.

“What are you, stupid? Just because you got bitten by a snake doesn’t mean someone put it there, dumb*ss!”

Someone shoved Giada away, and she almost tumbled.

Amelie stared at her backer in awe. What is up with these mountains? Everyone’s gone wonky since we got here. First Giada, and now Jodie? She’s… helping me? Is it gonna rain gold today? She looked up to the skies. No. It’s still clear.

Jodie wasn’t trying to help Foxy, but she overheard Giada’s whispers. She was delighted to hear that Leo and Foxy had hooked up. Can’t let the cops take her away. I need them to find my happiness.

Giada almost fell from the push, but she said nothing. Jodie was Leo’s sister, and she didn’t want to get on her bad side. Yet she shot Amelie a glare, and then the matter was put to rest.

The production team would love it if they didn’t have to call the cops. Even if everything was fine, the public would still doubt the integrity of the team. If they found something bad, then all the investment in the show would be for nothing.

The director stepped up and calmed Giada down. The injury, according to him, could be seen as a work injury, and Giada would still be paid accordingly even if she stayed out of the shoot.

Giada looked at Leo and shook her head. “It’s alright. The snake bite is painful, but I can’t let this be my excuse to drag everyone down. I can still go on.” I can’t see Leo if I were to leave now. I must press on.

The director was delighted, and he clapped and thanked her profusely.

Already there was a tea maker when the contestants made their way to the tea garden. The contestants were then each given a small basket and were taught how to pick the leaves.

Leo watched as Amelie drifted off into the mountain. Even though he was annoyed by her less-than- welcome treatment, he couldn’t help but look at her.

Amelie picked a few tea leaves and took a whiff. She fell in love with the fresh scent they were radiating, and she took some deep breaths. But when she opened her eyes, she was met with a mysterious gaze. Leo? Why is he looking at me like that?

Just when she was about to ask, someone pounced into Leo’s embrace.