Chapter 8

<p>The sun was blazing overhead, and the cicadas in the woods were making a deafening racket. The show's countdown blared in their ears: "Thirty minutes left, everyone. Hurry up."</p><p>Scarlett and Lucas's backpacks were already almost full, wild fruits, edible greens, and even two plump wild chickens. They were way ahead of the other teams.</p><p>The chat was full of people shipping them and hyping up Scarlett, flooding the screen.</p><p>[Scarlett and Lucas are so in sync. They're definitely winning with all that food.]</p><p>[Scarlett is totally wild when she's on a mission, she's not giving anyone else a chance.]</p><p>[Vivian's backpack is still empty. She must be freaking out.]</p><p>Vivian and Ethan only had a few shriveled wild fruits in their backpacks. Vivian shot a vicious look at Scarlett's back.</p><p>As Scarlett bent down to pick up some berries, Vivian suddenly swung her leg and aimed a vicious kick at Scarlett's ankle.</p><p>"Scarlett, take a fall." Vivian barked.</p><p>Before anyone could react, Scarlett moved as if she had eyes in the back of her head, dodging to the side, grabbing Vivian's wrist, and twisting it hard.</p><p>"Ah." Vivian screamed in pain.</p><p>Vivian stumbled forward, and Scarlett pushed her down onto the leaf, covered ground, her knee pinning Vivian's back, making it impossible for her to move.</p><p>"Trying to play dirty with me?" Scarlett looked down, her voice cold as ice. "Vivian, did you forget yesterday's lesson already?"</p><p>Ethan rushed over, trying to pull Scarlett off Vivian. "Scarlett, let her go. You're out of line."</p><p>Lucas stepped forward, blocking Scarlett, his gaze sharp and his aura overwhelming as he stared Ethan down. "Touch her and see what happens." Ethan froze in place, completely cowed by Lucas's presence.</p><p>[Scarlett's reflexes are insane. That counter move was so badass.]</p><p>[Lucas is the ultimate protector. His boyfriend vibes are legendary, he's a total god.]</p><p>[Vivian totally deserved it. She brought this on herself, so who else can she blame?]</p><p>Vivian thrashed on the ground, tears smeared all over her face as she wailed, "I didn't do anything. She started it. Director, help. Make her stop."</p><p>Scarlett scoffed, let go of Vivian, brushing the dirt off her hands. "Me? The cameras caught everything. Want me to replay it for everyone and show them how you tried to kick me?"</p><p>The live stream caught Vivian's dirty move in crystal clear detail, Vivian's face went ghostly pale. She didn't dare say another word, just shrank back behind Ethan, trembling.</p><p>Scarlett was done with her nonsense and turned her attention to a nearby grove loaded with ripe mangoes and pineapples, the last spot with good ingredients on the island.</p><p>Zoey and Summer rushed over too, and the two groups faced off right away.</p><p>"We found this grove first." Zoey called out, hands on her hips.</p><p>Scarlett arched a brow and walked straight ahead. "Whoever grabs it first, gets it. Enough with the chatter."</p><p>With that, Scarlett swiftly climbed up the tree, picking fruit like a pro, while Lucas waited below to catch everything she tossed down, their teamwork was flawless.</p><p>Zoey and Summer couldn't even get up the tree, they just stood there, frustrated and watching.</p><p>The countdown ended, and the show's loudspeaker blared, "Time's up. All teams, head back to the beach for the results."</p><p>Scarlett and Lucas were the first to return, their backpacks stuffed to the brim with ingredients, way more than the other three teams. They easily claimed first place.</p><p>Vivian and Ethan followed behind, looking totally defeated, with barely anything in their backpacks.</p><p>The director stepped up, ready to announce the results, but suddenly broke into a grin and added, "Congrats to Scarlett and Lucas for taking first place.</p><p>"And you've triggered a secret bonus, Scarlett found a wild chicken with an exclusive mark, which unlocks a full set of beachside BBQ gear and ingredients for tonight."</p><p>No one expected there'd be a secret reward, and Scarlett was the one who scored it.</p><p>[Whoa, there was a hidden mission? Scarlett's luck is unreal.]</p><p>[Scarlett's not just wild and unstoppable, her luck is off the charts too.]</p><p>[Beachside BBQ. I'm crying with envy. The other teams are just left with nothing but scraps.]</p><p>Vivian's eyes burned with jealousy. 'Seriously? Why does Scarlett always get all the luck? It's so unfair.' she grumbled to herself.</p><p>Scarlett's eyes lit up at the reward, and she gave Lucas a playful slap on the shoulder. "See? Teaming up with me pays off, doesn't it?"</p><p>Lucas gazed at her bright smile, his eyes full of gentle warmth. "Nah, I'm lucky to be on your team."</p><p>The shipper fans in the chat totally lost it, and the hashtag [Scarlett Lucas Mutual Crush] rocketed to the top of the trending charts.</p><p>Ethan watched Scarlett in the spotlight, his feelings all tangled up. For the first time, he realized the woman who used to be all about him didn't need him anymore, she was shining brighter than he ever did.</p><p>As evening fell, the beach was set up with a grill, and Scarlett got to work, firing up the coals and grilling like a pro. The mouthwatering aroma filled the whole beach.</p><p>The other guests could only watch longingly, and Michael Chancellor couldn't help but wander over. "Hey, Scarlett, mind sharing a skewer?"</p><p>Scarlett handed him a skewer with a big grin. "Here you go, Michael."</p><p>Zoey and Summer came over, trying to butter her up. "Scarlett, we're sorry for fighting you earlier. Can we have a bite?"</p><p>Scarlett arched a brow. "Let's hear you call me Scarlett."</p><p>"Scarlett." they both blurted out in unison.</p><p>Scarlett grinned as she handed over the skewers. She might be wild, but she always keeps things fair, friends get rewarded, enemies get nothing.</p><p>Vivian and Ethan sat all alone, away from everyone else. The smell of BBQ made their stomachs rumble, but their pride wouldn't let them come over.</p><p>Scarlett shot them a look, raised an eyebrow at the camera, and said, "Some people would rather starve than swallow their pride." The chat exploded with laughter, everyone spamming "Serves them right."</p><p>Lucas sat right beside Scarlett, passing her the spices and softly saying, "Slow down, or you'll burn your mouth."</p><p>Scarlett took a big bite of BBQ, mumbling with her mouth full, "Got it, stop fussing."</p><p>As the sun dipped below the horizon and the sea breeze drifted by, the cameras locked in the heartwarming moment between the wild heroine Scarlett and the aloof Best Actor Lucas, an instant classic, forever etched in variety show history.</p>