Chapter 1
My role on the dating show was the scheming villainess.
Following the script, I spent each day serving coffee and smiling sweetly.
After the episode aired, I received thirty thousand hateful messages, and the top trending hashtag read: #MostDespicableGoldDigger.
I didn't mind. I was only there for the paycheck anyway.
On the fourth day, a delivery woman suddenly appeared outside the set.
She rushed over, took my hand in front of all the guests, and tearfully said, "Miss, you fixed my tricycle last time. I never properly thanked you."
Everyone paused for a moment, surprised. "You can fix tricycles?"
That night, someone posted a photo on the fan forum: it showed me helping an elderly woman carry her groceries at the market.
Public opinion shifted instantly. Viewers flooded the live chat, demanding, "How dare you edit her into a scheming villainess?"
The production team, panicking, tried to explain. "She said—"
Before they could finish, fans had already pushed the truth to the top of the trending list.
*****
Before filming started, Frederick, the director, pulled me aside.
He lowered his voice, sounding secretive. "Lily, your script isn't like everyone else's."
I took the few thin pages. My character was spelled out clearly: a scheming bitch.
My main task was to fuss over Jason Reed, the show's top male guest, making sure he felt cared for in every way.
At the same time, I had to casually undermine Emily White, the girl with the pure and innocent image.
Frederick patted my shoulder. "I know this role isn't exactly likable, but the pay is triple what everyone else gets."
I glanced at the number on the contract and smiled. "Trust me, Frederick. I know exactly how to play a scheming bitch."
Frederick nodded, looking satisfied.
On the first day of the dating show livestream, I followed the script to the letter.
At seven a.m., I was the first one up, put on some subtle makeup, and waited in the kitchen.
Jason always came back from his morning run at 7:30 sharp.
Sure enough, I heard someone at the door.
I grabbed the warm water I'd prepared and went up to meet him.
"Jason, you're back," I said, my voice soft and sweet. "You must be thirsty after your run. I made you some warm soup. It's good for your stomach."
Jason took the water, raising an eyebrow, but didn't say a word.
The live chat went wild.
[Who is this girl? She just called him "Jason" like they're close or something?]
[My scheming bitch radar is going off. Be careful.]
[What's she trying to pull with the soup? If I didn't know better, I'd swear she was his mom.]
I pretended not to see the comments, letting my smile grow even sweeter and more harmless.
One by one, the other guests started waking up.
Emily stepped out in a white dress, bare-faced, looking just like a fresh morning lily. She greeted everyone gently.
The live chat instantly flipped.
[Now that's a total angel. She's nothing like that try-hard sitting next to her.]
[Emily is such a sweetheart. I just wanna protect her.]
At breakfast, I sat next to Jason, while Emily sat across from him.
I "accidentally" let my hand slip, and milk splashed all over Emily's white dress.
"Emily, I'm so sorry!" I hurried to my feet, grabbing a tissue to help her wipe it off. "I really didn't mean it, please don't be upset, okay?"
My eyes went red in an instant, making me look all vulnerable and helpless.
Emily quickly waved her hand. "It's fine, really. I'll just go change."
She was just as gentle as her name suggested.
Jason frowned, pulled out a tissue, and handed it to me. "Wipe your own hands first."
His voice was totally unreadable. But I knew the first conflict in the script had played out just right.
That night, my name, Lily Gardner, shot straight to the top of the trending charts. People asked me to get out of the show, calling me the most disgusting bitch.
My manager, Selena Roper, was calling nonstop. "Lily, are you okay? Don't pay attention to the comments online. It's all part of the company's setup."
I was totally relaxed, scrolling through my phone with a face mask on.
Over thirty thousand DMs, all full of hate. The language was filthy, downright nasty. I just marked them all as read, didn't even flinch.
"Selena, I'm fine," I said. "Remember? Playing the scheming girl is my specialty."
There was a brief silence on the other end, then Selena sighed. "The money's already in your account. Just... take care of yourself, okay?"
"Don't worry," I said.
I hung up and opened my banking app. Seeing all those extra zeros in my account, I felt pretty damn good.
Playing the scheming girl? Whatever. As long as the dollars keep coming, I could keep this act going until the production team goes broke.