Chapter 90

Sebastian felt his cheeks burn under Isabelle's piercing gaze. "I just thought... leveraging my strengths would draw initial attention," he stammered, avoiding Seraphina's curious glance. "For the competition—"

"Is Sebastian Hart actually calling me a fool?" Isabelle's voice was sharp enough to slice through steel. "Every single one of your fans tuned in to watch you reinvent yourself. Did you really think cheap tactics would impress them?" She crossed her arms, her manicured nails tapping impatiently. "They want growth, not the same old tricks!"

Sebastian's face drained of color, then flooded with humiliation. "But love scenes sell on this stage. Our script fits the theme. Just this once—"

Isabelle didn’t need further confirmation. The way Sebastian kept sneaking glances at Seraphina told her everything. This wasn’t strategy—it was a pathetic, personal ploy.

"Every second on that screen is a gift," she hissed. "Are you really going to throw away your comeback—and your fans’ faith—for a schoolboy crush?" Her glare hardened. "Fix it. Now."

Sebastian clenched his jaw. Being scolded like a misbehaving child in front of Seraphina was unbearable.

Rebroadcast Revelations

The studio lights blazed as the revised footage aired, sparking instant chaos online. Fans gasped at the abrupt change—Sebastian’s forced romantic angle had vanished, replaced by raw, unfiltered intensity.

Isabelle watched the live reactions roll in, her lips pressed into a thin line. This wasn’t just about saving Sebastian’s career anymore. It was about salvaging his dignity.

And Seraphina? She stood silently in the wings, her smirk barely concealed. Some games, it seemed, were too transparent even for reality TV.