Chapter 34: Yes

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: Yes

Miles Yates had just agreed to Zara Chapman, but hearing Renee Morgan’s words, he jolted hard, thankful he’d only nodded and hadn’t promised anything else.

Wendy Aldridge hadn’t expected Renee Morgan to dare challenge Ms. Chapman head-on, nearly applauding right there.

Best if those two ended up feuding on the show, infamous and hated by all.

Lynn Miller didn’t say a word, but stood right behind Renee Morgan, clearly showing her support.

The livestream had just been peaceful and harmonious, but with Renee Morgan’s one comment, it was instantly a stone tossed into a thousand waves.

[Wow, Renee Morgan’s IQ is always online, even now she remembers to protect her own rights.]

[I just saw big bro tremble, he trembled!!]

[Big bro: Morgan’s right, no wonder I felt something was off just now?]

[Don’t say it like that, big bro’s always been smart, just never scheming, and encountering someone as clear-minded as Renee Morgan, it’s the perfect match. (Not shipping CP, not shipping CP, just love their personalities blending together, ah, scream!)]

[...]

Zara Chapman wore a somber expression, her smile and tone both casual: "Everyone entered the base together, joined the show together, so supporting each other is just right—is it that you don’t like it?"

If you lose your presence, you lose everything. Renee Morgan is a newbie, not worth getting worked up over.

Renee Morgan’s tone stayed cool: "Helping each other is right, we’re all teammates. But the toolkit is something each of us fought for, so it belongs to each of us individually. Who’s willing to share, that’s their choice, but the premise is that the toolkit belongs to the individual."

It’s like a few people traveling together, each person brings their own stuff, and on the road everyone uses their own things, no need to worry about anyone else in the group. If a teammate needs something and you have extra, it’s fine to offer. But if you don’t have enough yourself, teammates can’t force you to hand it over or take a share.

To put it bluntly, if real danger strikes with limited resources, Zara Chapman should just admit defeat and leave first, instead of forcing others to sacrifice their only resources. That just makes things hard for everyone.

"We all entered as a team—if toolkits aren’t shared, it’s hard to be united." Zara Chapman wouldn’t snatch in front of the camera, so she worded it perfectly.

Renee Morgan knows you start with the difficult talk and finish with the polite, and also knows about not being too rigid. She played the same game as Zara Chapman: "I know Ms. Chapman cares about our team, but everyone has the right to look after their own toolkit. When hardship comes, the stuff that should be shared will be shared, no one will hide anything."

Zara Chapman hadn’t expected Renee Morgan, so young, would be this hard to fool. She’d originally thought, with no toolkit herself, if they teamed up she could just take whatever was available, so long as she finished the challenge. But now, she’d have to wait for all six of them to offer their things before she could get anything?

But since the conversation had reached this point, if she objected, she’d look too aggressive, and later it’d be harder to get her hands on their stuff.

Once Renee Morgan finished, she and Lynn Miller kept walking back.

Wendy Aldridge walked beside Zara Chapman, checking the distances between everyone’s PD, lowering her voice: "Ms. Chapman, you’re a senior, so of course we should respect you and listen. Renee’s attitude—sigh—so immature."

Zara Chapman nursed a simmering fire. Hearing Wendy’s words, she replied coldly, "If she’s immature, someone will teach her to be mature."

Wendy Aldridge caught the menace in Zara Chapman’s tone, inwardly thrilled.

Though Ms. Chapman was a faded film queen, her influence wasn’t what it used to be, but with strong company backing she could call in favors. To snuff out a newbie like Renee Morgan, a handful of calls and Renee would be left nowhere to turn.

The group returned to the assembly area, rested for a while, then it was dinner time.

This time, Team One got to the cafeteria ahead of them.

When Renee Morgan entered, everyone’s eyes fixed on her.

Renee Morgan couldn’t figure out what these looks meant—definitely not because she’s good-looking. Mercenaries only cared about missions and money, no way they’d be distracted by looks. Maybe they think she’s a threat and want to slice her up?

Renee Morgan quickly shook off the notion. Their goal is money, and the show must have given them perks. So, they’d follow the rules; otherwise, they’d get nothing and it’d all be pointless.

Having reasoned it out, Renee Morgan became less wary, walked past them, and sat at her spot to eat.

Wendy Aldridge followed Renee Morgan, caught the looks from those people, eyes darted, and she innocently called out: "Hey, why are you all looking at Renee Morgan—is it because she’s good-looking?"

Her tone was half-joking, but she didn’t buy for a second that these mercenaries would appreciate celebrities; these are knife’s-edge professionals. If they’re really fixated, it’s probably because they want to take her out.

Wendy Aldridge waited for them to spit out some venom and curse Renee Morgan.

The livestream viewers started worrying about Renee Morgan’s safety.

Though the producers repeatedly promised to protect the guests, these people might be mercenaries, full of unknown variables. If they actually went after Renee Morgan, it’d be too late for anything.

Nobody responded to Wendy Aldridge. Team One’s eight members all lowered their heads and ate in silence.

Wendy Aldridge didn’t mind, just smiled and sat down to eat.

Team One finished eating faster, quietly got up and walked past Renee Morgan’s group.

The livestream audience’s hearts jumped, fearing they’d suddenly attack Renee Morgan.

Plenty of Shadows gloated in the chat:

[How hated is Renee Morgan, even the mercs can’t stand her. If this were outside, the blades would be sharpened by now, just waiting to spill blood tonight, hehe.]

[Renee Morgan’s arrogance on the show—she needs someone to fix her.]

[Sharpening knives? That’s illegal. The mercs should just slap her twice, make her kneel and lick their boots.]

[Ah, about to start a fight, fight’s coming, watching a live bitch slap—thrilling.]

[...]

But then, Team One at the cafeteria door suddenly turned around—the guy who’d once threatened Renee Morgan, with awkward Chinese, said: "Yes, we all think she’s very good-looking."

With that unexpected line, everyone else was caught off guard.

The youth pointed at Renee Morgan and repeated: "Renee Morgan, very beautiful. All of us appreciate her a lot."