Chapter 123 Don’t Care
Upon reaching the porch, Zen promptly guided him to sit by the bonfire that he and Hera had started. They settled around the flickering flames, ready to enjoy their dinner amidst the earthy glow. As they savored their meal, conversation flowed effortlessly, covering a range of mundane topics such as their interests and pastimes.
As Hera and Zen engaged in their usual lively conversation, Xavier listened attentively, quietly taking note of their discussions. He absorbed details about Hera’s interests, hobbies, and many more, and even learned about her previous part-time endeavors. Though he didn’t interject much, Xavier found himself fascinated by Hera’s diverse experiences and the skills she had acquired through her various part-time jobs.
Xavier’s attentive demeanor didn’t go unnoticed, as even the viewers seemed captivated by the scene, it turns out like a late-night talk show with celebrities. In this impromptu setup, Zen assumed the role of host, skillfully guiding the conversation with a barrage of questions, while also ensuring Hera felt at ease sharing whatever came to mind.
Their interaction resembled that of two gossiping teenagers, eliciting laughter from the viewers as they shared anecdotes and banter. The livestream exuded harmony, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere within the cabin. Inside, Minerva and Alexi engaged in a cold war, while Alice sat in a corner, her expression grim and troubled.
Alice appeared visibly distressed, but her inner thoughts remained a mystery to the others. Amidst the tension brewing between Alexi and Minerva, her troubled state went largely unnoticed. The group’s focus was primarily on navigating the strained dynamics and they are aware that their actions had impacted their relationship or future relationship with Xavier deeply.
Many of them joined the show not only for promotional purposes but also to network with industry heavyweights like Xavier or someone with influential backers like Zen. However, instead of forging connections, they ended up feeling as though they had offended these key players, leaving everyone feeling disheartened and gloomy.
They found themselves grappling with an inexplicable urge to protect Alice and a surprising inclination to rally against Hera. It was as if they had lost all sense of reason, guided by an invisible force toward actions they couldn’t fully comprehend. Despite their experience in the industry, they couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. Like Xavier, they were well attuned to the underhanded and subtle tactics often employed by artists in their internal conflicts. So Alice’s tactics shouldn’t easily affect all of them.
The urge they experienced was subtle, yet it wielded considerable influence over their thoughts and actions, subtly guiding them along a path they hadn’t anticipated. Those who possessed the halo of a male lead or had a resilient mental fortitude, like Zen, seemed unaffected by this mysterious force.
This remained unknown to Hera, she remained unaffected by these subtle influences, perhaps due to her newfound enlightenment regarding the truth of their world. The ties binding her to her predetermined fate had weakened, nearing the point of snapping.