True Tycoon Her Empire, Her Rules

Joseph had made up his mind to sign on for the reality show, and a big slice of that decision pie was because of Winnie.

The apple of the Bryant family’s eye, Winnie was young, connected, and flush with the kind of resources that only came from having an uncle like Middleton, the big cheese at Blue Sky Entertainment.

For Joseph, currently in his prime and itching to prove his leading man chops, cozying up to Winnie was a no–brainer, especially since he was more than ready to show the world he could rub shoulders with the A–listers.

But what he hadn’t bargained for was the sheer lack of screen time with her on the first day. Beyond a cursory intro, they hadn’t even shared a frame.

Joseph was anything but content with that.

Everyone knew Winnie was the belle of the ball, and if he didn’t step up his game and make a move pronto, he’d be left in the dust. That was exactly why he was sneaking out tonight.

In Joseph’s mind, this was his golden ticket to get in her good graces. He’d even given the slip to the camera crew tailing him, making it look like pure concern rather than a calculated move for attention.

After all, he’d still get his moment in the spotlight once he met up with Winnie.

As he hustled toward Winnie’s abode, he was keenly aware of the distance. Halfway there, he was startled by footsteps closing in behind him. He paused, heart racing, only for a hand to slap down on his shoulder.

“Who?” Even with his plans all mapped out, a shiver ran down his spine. Walking alone at night could do that to a guy, especially with all the local tales of hauntings and whatnot.

But when he spun around, recognition nearly buckled his knees.

“Gentry, you scared the living daylights out of me.”

The figure before him was indeed Gentry, accompanied by his own ever–present camera

crew.

Gentry eyed Joseph with a mix of surprise and annoyance, thinking he was the one who got a real fright.

“What are you doing out here all by yourself at this unholy hour?” Gentry asked, “Didn’t you hear Winnie and Mervin’s warnings earlier?”

Gentry hadn’t intended to get involved. He knew his place and it wasn’t playing babysitter. But with the live audience watching, he couldn’t very well ignore the situation. So, camera

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crew in tow, he’d set out into the night.

Caught red–handed, Joseph didn’t miss a beat.

“I was just concerned, you know? Mervin’s with another dude, but Winnie and Candace are just two gals. Winnie’s on night duty, and I just couldn’t shake the worry. Figured I’d sneak a peek to make sure all’s well.”

He cast a sly glance at Gentry’s camera, adding, “Didn’t think I’d be spotted though.”

Gentry was at a loss for words. In his view, Winnie was more than capable of handling herself, and Joseph’s “concern” reeked of a ploy for brownie points.

But with the show’s cameras rolling, he swallowed the blunt truth and instead suggested they team up to find Winnie. Can’t leave Joseph alone, and if there’s good–guy credit to be earned, he wouldn’t let Joseph hog it all.

Meanwhile, Winnie, oblivious to Gentry’s group, had been keeping watch downstairs, with her camera crew loyally by her side, as per the director’s insistence.

The live stream hadn’t cut for the night, and the viewers seemed eager to stick it out with

the cast.

Not wanting the night to drag, Bagot, the director, decided to stir the pot by setting up a live chat between Winnie and Mervin’s locations. It was a way to keep spirits up and pass

the time.

Candace and Kane, though confined to their rooms, were still worried about Mervin and Winnie. Hearing about the group chat, they jumped at the chance to join in.

Kane brought up Winnie’s earlier theory for the benefit of curious viewers.

“You mentioned the trouble might be caused by forest spirits, and not just one. Where’d you get that?”

Mervin, ever the open book, explained, “These kinds of antics are typical of forest spirits. I asked around, and turns out multiple households were hit in one night, so we’re dealing with more than one mischief–maker.”

Winnie nodded in agreement, “They’re just causing trouble, not harm. There’s a reason behind it. Find that, and we solve the village’s woes.”

What Winnie left unsaid was the growing resentment among the villagers towards these unseen forces. If left unchecked, it could lead to real conflict and casualties.

“So, it’s all about figuring out the exact nature of these spirits.”

From the other end of the live chat, Mervin added, “As long as it’s not one of those legendary Five Immortals, we should be able to handle it.”

Candace’s ears perked up, and she chimed in from beneath her blankets, “Mervin, it

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sounds like you might’ve just jinxed us.

The live chat viewers felt the tension.

*Jinxes had a way of making things come true.”

That casual jinx from Mervin has me worried.”

“You mean ‘tempting fate, right?”

“I’m scared but also kinda want to see what these legendary beings look like. The show really does treat us like we’re right there with them.”

“If we actually get to see a legendary being tonight, I’ll never doubt the show’s authenticity again.”

“I stopped doubting a long time ago.”

“Speaking of legendary, isn’t Gentry the real deal? He showed up in the first episode.”

“But we want to see the real McCoy.”

Speaking of Gentry, has no one told them about the group chat?

“I declare this isolation. This is bullying.”

As if on cue, or perhaps because of the power of suggestion, Gentry and Joseph stumbled upon the group chat and, feeling a bit behind the ball, quickly joined in.

The moment the video feed connected, all four cast members and their respective audiences were taken aback.

“Gentry, where are you guys? It looks like you’re outside?” Candace was the first to pipe

1. up.

On the other end of the video call, Gentry and Joseph were walking side by side when suddenly, with a hint of mystery in their voices, they said, “You guys will find out soon enough.”

“Why have you guys been out?” Kane frowned, “I thought the village was unsafe after dark. What are you doing wandering around?”

Mervin chimed in, “Where are you now? I’ll come and pick you up.”

But Gentry and Joseph replied, “It’s cool, we’re already near Winnie’s place, just gotta cross this fishpond. Holy smokes.”

As Gentry let out a “Holy smokes,” the viewers in the livestream also widened their eyes, and their comments flooded the chat.

“Did I just see something behind Gentry and them?”

“Yes. There’s something there.”

As the live chat went wild, not only the viewers but also Winnie and Gentry could say that, behind Gentry and Joseph, a pair of eyes had appeared over the fishpond

In the pitch–black night, those eyes glowed a ghastly green, absolutely terrifying What was even more horrifying was that as everyone stared into the darkness, what seemed to be one pair of eyes quickly multiplied into two, then three…

In the blink of an eye, countless glowing green eyes seemed to surround Gentry and the others.

The camera began to shake, the cameraman clearly trembling with fear.

Winnie and Mervin almost simultaneously leaped to their feet and dashed outside, while in Gentry’s live stream, those green–glowing eyes had already started to move closer to

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“Run.*

It was uncertain who stuttered it out first, but the live stream shook violently as the screen filled with the sounds of frantic footsteps and heavy breathing. And then, someone let out a bloodcurdling scream.

The next second, the live stream plunged into darkness.