Chapter 62 Relationship Exposed

Chapter 62 Relationship Exposed

Her words hit everyone's concerns right on the head. The guests on the dating show all had their own agendas—some wanted to pivot to lifestyle influencers, others aimed to gain enough buzz to land business deals. If the show tanked, not only would they lose out, but they might also get labeled as "irresponsible." Ralph, sitting in the corner, was the first to speak up, "Ms. Martinez is right, we have to see this through. But... will Cecilia come back? I really can't keep up the act with her."

"No, she won't," Amelia said firmly. "She spread false rumors and ruined some other girl's reputation. The police will definitely take action, and the production team won't let her return. The rest of us need to stick together and finish the filming."."

Seeing Amelia lay it all out, Ralph and Aurelia exchanged glances and finally relaxed, eagerly asking about the next steps. Emma joined in, eyes full of anticipation, "Ms. Martinez, do we have any new plans? Maybe add some game segments?"

Amelia nodded and picked up the show's schedule from the table. "Originally, this was planned for the later episodes, but given the circumstances, I'm thinking of bringing in two new participants in the next couple of days."

"New participants?" Ralph was momentarily stunned but quickly caught on. "To fill Cecilia's spot?"

"Not just that," Amelia explained. "New faces can bring fresh topics and divert attention from the recent drama. Plus, having more people will make the upcoming tasks more engaging, like adding partner games or outdoor camping, which require more participants."

Everyone nodded in agreement. Emma's eyes lit up, "That's a great idea! New participants will definitely boost the atmosphere, and our show's popularity will bounce back!" Aurelia chimed in, and even the previously silent male guests praised Amelia's thorough consideration.

Amelia waved her hand, steering the conversation back to the main point. "Adding new participants isn't the key. The key is that we need two people to pretend to be a couple."

The room fell silent instantly. Ralph's utensils froze mid-air, Aurelia pressed her lips together without speaking, and Emma's eyes widened, clearly not expecting Amelia's suggestion.

"Don't misunderstand," Amelia said, seeing their confusion. She patiently explained, "The core of a dating show is 'romantic interaction.' With Cecilia's scandal causing unrest, the show's appeal has taken a hit. Pretending to be a couple can quickly regain viewers' attention and get the show back on track. For you, a couple's popularity means more business opportunities and buzz. It's a win-win." She paused and added, "The production team will fully support this fake couple, from camera time to marketing, ensuring you get the deserved attention."

Everyone remained silent, but they were all calculating in their minds.

Few guests on a dating show are genuinely looking for love; most aim to leverage the show for personal gain. Some hope to gain fans by pretending to be a couple, while others seek endorsements through buzz. If they can maximize their benefits through this, it's an opportunity they can't afford to miss.

Before Amelia could give them time to think, Emma suddenly stood up, her tone urgent, "I'll cooperate! Whether it's with a new participant or an existing one, I'm in!" She had long wanted to gain popularity through the show, but Cecilia's targeting had held her back. Now, with Amelia's assurance, she didn't want to miss the chance.

Ralph and Aurelia exchanged glances but remained silent. They had initially agreed to pretend to be a couple for the show, but after Cecilia's sabotage, the "Ralph and Aurelia bed photo" tag had just been suppressed. If they publicly pretended to be a couple again, who knows how the viewers would react? They decided to wait and see.

Amelia didn't push them, just nodded, "Alright, Emma, you wait. I'll arrange for a new male participant to pair with you. Ralph, Aurelia, take your time and let me know when you've decided."

She stood up and started clearing the takeout boxes from the table. "It's getting late. Everyone should go back to their rooms and rest. We have to coordinate with the new participants tomorrow."

"Ms. Martinez, I'll stay and help you clean up!" Emma immediately stood up, reaching for the empty boxes.

Aurelia also got up, "I'll help too. More hands make light work."

"No need," Amelia smiled and waved them off, stacking the empty boxes together. "I prefer cleaning up alone; it helps me clear my thoughts. You all should rest early to have energy for tomorrow's recording."

Seeing Amelia's firm attitude, they had no choice but to comply and to follow the others upstairs. Soon, Amelia was alone in the living room. She packed the trash and placed it by the door, wiped the table clean with a wet wipe, then sat on the couch and picked up her tablet to plan the upcoming work.

Meanwhile, outside the villa, Aiden was in a black Bentley, reporting to Henry on the phone, his tone still tinged with anger. "By the way, Mr. Phillips, today Lily posted a very controversial tweet."

"What? About what?"

"Lily openly claimed that Mrs. Phillips seduced you to climb the ranks and hinted that your contract termination was because of Mrs. Phillips."

Henry leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping lightly on his knee. After hearing this, he didn't get angry but chuckled, his tone playful, "She's not entirely wrong. Amelia did, in a way, seduce me."

Aiden was stunned, unsure how to respond.

He couldn't understand Henry's mindset. Even now, he had the mood to joke about Amelia.

"How did Amelia handle it?" Henry shifted the topic to the matter at hand.

"Mrs. Phillips released proof of the Phillips family's early support for her," Aiden quickly reported. "The online sentiment has already shifted. People are now criticizing Lily for making baseless claims, and some are digging up her past scandals. The hashtag #Lily'sImageCollapse is almost trending in the top twenty!"

"Handled well," Henry's lips curled into a faint smile, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Better than I expected."

The Bentley slowly stopped at the villa's entrance. Henry opened the car door, not letting Aiden follow, and quietly walked into the living room.

Amelia was sitting on the couch, looking at her tablet, her profile softened by the warm light, even the strands of hair falling gently. He didn't make a sound, quietly walked over, and gently wrapped his arms around her waist, resting his chin on her shoulder, his voice soft, "You've worked hard, dealing with this mess all day."

Amelia's body instantly stiffened, her tablet almost slipping from her hand.

She was about to push him away when a sharp sound interrupted.

A cup shattered at the top of the stairs, followed by Emma's startled scream.

The noise alerted Aurelia, who had just returned to her room. She ran down in her slippers, saw the two embracing in the living room, glanced at the broken cup by Emma's feet, and her expression instantly became calm.

Emma, however, was still in shock, pointing at Henry and Amelia, her lips trembling, "Aurelia, did you know about their relationship all along?"