Chapter 2

The trending topic had already shot up to the top 3, marked "explosive".

The accompanying nine-photo grid showed Holly and that influencer kissing in a VIP booth.

The angles were so cunningly chosen, it looked like professional paparazzi work.

I jerked her head up. "You hired the paparazzi?"

Holly was trying on my earrings, pretending not to hear.

Joslyn flipped open the contract. "The beverage endorsement deal just added a new clause. They want you to recreate that passionate kissing scene."

My vision went black.

"Relax, no actual kissing required," Joslyn reassured me. "Just blow a kiss to the camera."

Holly suddenly chimed in, "I could totally be your stand-in, you know. I mean, it's not like..."

I clapped her hand over Holly's mouth.

Joslyn eyed us suspiciously.

I forced a dry laugh. "She's just kidding. She has a very... unique sense of humor."

As soon as Joslyn left, I pinned Holly down on the couch.

I glared at Holly and demanded, "What the hell are you trying to pull?"

Holly twirled a strand of her hair. "Just trying to give your good-girl persona a little more depth."

Holly scrolled through her phone and pulled up a photo.

It was a paparazzi shot of me and the director in a so-called "secret rendezvous" in the parking lot.

In reality, we were just discussing the script.

But the angle made it look like we were kissing.

Holly tilted her head playfully. "Should I drop this one tomorrow, or start with that set of photos of you and the music producer sneaking in and out of the hotel?"

My blood ran cold.

Those were all just business meetings, but with evidence like this, there was no way I could clear my name.

"What do you want?" I asked.

Holly grinned, flashing the signature canine tooth we both shared.

"I'll be at the brand event next week," Holly announced with a smirk. "Just one day."

I shook my head. "The red carpet's live-streamed. We'll be exposed."

"That's exactly what makes it so exciting!" Holly's eyes gleamed. "Just imagine. You'll be the only one in the world who knows the real truth."

She was a lunatic.

But the crazy thing was I was actually considering it.

The comment section was already buzzing with rumors about "Annalee Hill the seasoned party girl."

Photos didn't lie.

All of it was Holly's handiwork.

"Just one day," I ground out. "No interviews. No social media posts."

With a triumphant whoop, Holly threw her arms around me, her perfume rushing into my nostrils.

It was the exact same fragrance I wore, but on her, it was far more potent, just like her.

Late at night, I lay in bed, scrolling through the comments.

Someone had made a side-by-side meme, "Club Annalee vs. Ad Annalee."

There were over 100,000 likes already.

Holly slept in the guest room, her faint snores drifting through the door.

It had always been like this since we were kids. Holly stirred up trouble, and I was the one who took the fall.

But this time, she had crossed the line into my professional career.

I pulled up the posting screen and typed, "When you're young, love hard, hate louder."

The blinking cursor seemed to taunt me.

Just as I was about to hit "send," Holly suddenly appeared in the doorway.

"Almost forgot," she said, waving her phone playfully. "That influencer just gave you a follow."

My hand slipped, and I accidentally hit send.

Three seconds in, and the post had already been shared a thousand times.

Holly blew a teasing whistle. "See? Everyone loves the real you."

I snatched up a pillow and flung it at Holly.

Holly dodged away, laughing—just like she used to when we were kids.

But this time, Holly was the one calling the shots.

I stood in my walk-in closet, watching Holly twirl in my haute couture gown.

"Isn't the neckline too revealing?" I fretted, tugging at the plunging Valentino gown.

Holly spun in front of the full-length mirror. "This is perfect for showing off my Bulgari," she said, tapping the necklace at her collarbone. "Just got it yesterday on your card."

That was when I realized that my black card was gone from my wallet.

Annalee demanded, "Did you steal my card?"

"Just borrowing," Holly said nonchalantly as she spritzed my perfume. "Anyway, we share the same face, don't we?"

My temples started throbbing again.

Tomorrow was the big brand event, and I was already regretting ever agreeing to let Holly take my place.

"Did you memorize the run of show?" I handed her the briefing. "The red carpet route, off-limit interview topics, product talking points..."

Holly tossed it casually onto the couch. "Oh, I know, I know—just smile, wave, and say 'Thanks, corporate overlords!' right?"

I gripped Holly's shoulders and snapped, "Holly, this isn't some game!"

"But it's so much fun!" Holly tilted her head at me with a mischievous grin. "Don't you ever get tired of playing Miss Perfect every single day?"

I was speechless.

In the four years since my debut, I'd truly never worn a skirt more than four inches above the knee.

Joslyn, my manager, always says the girl-next-door image is what sells best.

"Relax," Holly said, patting my cheek with a smirk. "I promise I'll make you an even bigger sensation, Annalee."

That promise sent shivers down my spine.