Chapter 458

458 Challenging Celebrities
To capture the guests‘ most authentic reactions, the producers and assistant directors made
themselves.
scarce in the hospital building.
Cameras were fixed in every corner of the building to record the guests‘ Interactions and reactions.
The children’s hospital was not large by any means. It was a two–story building lined with long, dark
corridors. From the footage, it was clear to see that all the women were spooked, except Wynter.
Lucy, in particular, couldn’t help but glance nervously at the delivery room. Her hand fluttered to her
stomach, an odd gesture that had the viewers asking questions.
“Why is Lucy patting her belly?” someone asked,
Just then, the signboard hanging above the delivery room came off on one side and cluttered to the
ground. The loud thud had everyone jumping out of their skin.
Oliver felt a chill down his spine, but he knew this was his moment to shine. “This hospital building
looks
old, so it’s normal for things to start falling off. Watch where you’re going, everyone.”
Feigning concern for his fellow guests, he stepped forward as if to lead the pack. “The clues are
normally hidden where there’s light. My partner and I will scope out the second floor. The rest of you
can follow us
from behind.”
Zane wanted some screen time as well. “I’ll be the rear guard,” he offered.
The audience began praising the two men for taking charge. Lucy was grateful for Oliver and Zane’s
initiative as well, seeing as she couldn’t wait to get away from the first floor.
The gang was about to head upstairs when Oliver noticed Wynter still standing in place. “Hurry up,
number
five!” he called out.
“Mr. Quinnell, could you please keep an eye on your partner?” Zane sighed. “I don’t want us to have to
come down again if you both get frightened after this.” In other words, he was calling them dead
weight.
A dark look passed over Tobias‘ face as he glared in the others‘ direction.
He was about to say something when Wynter fixed her icy stare on Zane and broke her silence. “If I’m
not
mistaken, the rules of the challenge will require us to work in pairs instead of a group, or we might end
up tying scores.”
Displeasure flashed in Oliver’s eye’s. Having been a celebrity for years, he didn’t like being talked down
to
like this.
He countered, “I’m asking you to follow us because you’re a bunch of newbies who might not make any
headway with this challenge. Not to mention, you probably get spooked easily.
“There’s strength and safety in numbers, but clearly, my sentiments are lost on you.”
“Kina,” Aimee began, truly concerned for Tobias‘ interests, “sometimes we have to act as a team on
this
program, or we won’t make it to the end.
458 Challenging Celebrities
“Besides, what’s wrong with a tie when we’ll still score anyway? It’s not as if you could make any
progress
on your own.”
Zane was done being polite. “Forget them, Oliver. They obviously don’t appreciate your kindness. They
probably think they’re better than us and don’t want us to pull their legs.”
The viewers were chiming in with their two cents as well as they vilified Wynter’s behavior.
“Leave them! If they’re so great, they can figure out the challenge on their own!” someone said.
“They should vet through candidates before letting them go on Ultimate Survival. My brain hurts from
processing their stupidity,” another taunted.
Tobias wouldn’t stand for his partner getting bullied. He was also aware of how many viewers were
watching them right now.
Any poor performance from non–celebrities would mean instant ostracization and cyberbullying.
Tobias couldn’t be bothered about the backlash he might receive as he stepped in front of Wynter. “My
partner merely expressed my thoughts. I told you to watch your words, Mr. Lawton. We never thought
we were better than anyone. ‘ve just always been a single player, that’s all.”
Zane forced out a humorless smile as Oliver sneered. “Single player, huh? Go score on your own
then!”
mirking at
Wynter hadn’t wanted to get tangled up in the messy world of celebrities, but she couldn’t help Zane
and Oliver as she drawled, “Did you both miss the gist of the story or are you both just idiots?”