After being forced to participate in a live reality show, the host demanded that I choose between Joshua Sassoon, my financial backer, and Zachary Leonard, the special guest and a renowned actor.

The winner would get to share an intimate moment with me.

The loser would face the punishment of getting drenched with water.

Joshua narrowed his eyes, signaling for me to pick him.

Yet, in the first round of the game, he had unhesitatingly chosen his beloved Verna Rhys over me.

I was left soaked and awkward while Verna gently leaned into his arms, coquettishly seeking his comfort.

Under the camera, she pretended to graciously hold my hand. "Lillian, I'm sorry that you got wet."

But in my ear, she whispered triumphantly, "Poor you. A stand-in is just a stand-in, something that is not presentable."

My hair hung wet and limp around my face, and I clenched my fists.

Joshua chuckled lightly, pushing his tongue against his cheek in annoyance. "What's with that expression? Verna's not like you. She's more venerable than you. It's just a bit of water.

"You wouldn't get sick even when you were standing in the rain before. Why? Are you so fragile now?"

Well, Joshua, now it was my turn.

Over a hundred thousand viewers were watching the livestream.

The atmosphere on set grew tense.

Under the scrutinizing gaze of the audience, I walked towards Joshua.

I saw the corners of his lips curl up slightly.

Meanwhile, Zachary Leonard, tall and well-defined, with cool and composed features, stood calmly. He had a red mole under the corner of his eye, which made him even sexier.

The live chat exploded with comments!

[Oh my gosh, Lillian, open your eyes and see how amazing our Zachary is!]

[Pick Zachary! We can't bear to see him get drenched!]

[Is there even a comparison? Joshua can't compete with Zachary!]

[Go, Zachary, win her over!]

I stopped in front of Joshua.

He pushed his tongue against his cheek again, his expression one of confident anticipation, throwing a challenging glance at Zachary.

The camera zoomed in for a close-up.

Even the fans couldn't take it anymore.

[What the hell! What's that look from Joshua?]

[I can't stand it. I need a break. Someone gets rid of Joshua!]

I smiled slightly and, just as I was about to turn towards Zachary, Joshua was stunned.

He reached out to grab me but only managed to catch the hem of my dress.

"Lillian!"

He called my name in disbelief.

I glanced at him coldly and continued walking towards Zachary.

Joshua gritted his teeth, his voice shaking with anger. "You wouldn't dare!"

Oh, but I would.

Without hesitation, I chose Zachary. "I'd like to share an intimate moment with Mr. Leonard, please."

The set became silent, and for three seconds, I could hear Zachary's breath.

His deep eyes were unreadable, and his Adam's apple bobbed slightly. "It would be my pleasure."

Joshua's face turned ashen.

Because it was live, Joshua had no choice but to accept his punishment.

The balloon above him burst, drenching him completely

He glared at me and Zachary, his eyes burning holes into my back.

But I had no time to pay him any mind.

The show was bold, and the task card drawn was a 30-second kiss.

The host continued to incite the crowd, and the livestream viewership had already soared to three hundred thousand.

My gaze fell from Zachary's eyes to his thin lips.

I had always thought that Zachary's lips were perfect for kissing.

I barely brushed his lips with mine, and the thirty-second countdown began. Our eyes met under the spotlight.

The live chat was flooded with comments!

"Then! Nine! Eight..."

In Zachary's pupils, it was as if a stone had been thrown, causing subtle ripples and creating a flirtatious and intimate tension that made me want to look away.

I tried to think of him as a block of wood.

Suddenly, he extended his soft tongue, causing my pupils to dilate in shock. My hands and feet instinctively moved back in panic...

"Three!

"Two!

"One!

"Timer is up! Challenge successful!"

As the host's voice rang out, Zachary gentlemanly held me steady.

I quickly pulled my hand away as if shocked, while the host continued with enthusiastic commentary.

Zachary calmly leaned closer to me, muting both our microphones.

With our faces just inches apart, I could clearly hear our breaths and heartbeats.

He opened his lips slowly, his breath warm against my ear. "It's been so long since we last met. You haven't improved your kissing skills at all."

Zachary's voice was soft, only audible to the two of us.

My brain shut down, my heart raced, and my cheeks burned...

He, however, acted as if nothing had happened, lifting his elegant fingers to unmute the microphone.

The internet was already in an uproar!

[Oh my God, I'm dying! How is Lillian so lucky?!]

[Wait, did he mute the mic? Zachary, what did you say to her? Why are her ears so red!]

The trending topics were dominated with hashtags: "What Did Zachary Say During The Muted 30 Seconds", "Zachary Blushing".

After the show, I looked at the trending topics and couldn't help but laugh.

Zachary blushing? Hardly.

Only the tips of his ears were a bit red, just like they used to be when we kissed before.

But his face never turned red.

I was scrolling through my phone when Joshua angrily knocked it out of my hand, shattering the screen.

I frowned at him, feeling a bit impatient.

His expression showed hurt from my reaction, and he angrily demanded, "Lillian! Why didn't you choose me?"

I found Joshua's outburst somewhat absurd. Had he forgotten how he had treated me?

When I first met Joshua, I was standing in the rain.

In the pouring rain, he gave me a chance, but only to be Verna's stand-in while she was abroad.

I once delivered wine to them late at night to enhance their dates.

And what did Joshua do?

To make Verna smile, he poured the wine over my head.

It was a cold winter night and I was left shivering and soaked.

Even participating in this reality show was because Joshua wanted to promote Verna, so he dragged me, with my tarnished reputation, into the show to make her shine.

I knew Joshua planned to use me to highlight Verna's grace and charm, ensuring her stardom.

Just thinking about it made me laugh.

I looked at Joshua and smiled slightly.