NovelBarIn the heart of the woodlands, the trees stood like uniformed soldiers, their canopies merging into an unbroken sea of green. A mist
curled around the trunks, casting an enchanting spell that seemed to lead the wanderers in endless circles.
Joana's pulse quickened with panic. She called out to Naylor, who was forging ahead confidently, "Mr. Naylor, are we lost? | swear
we've passed this spot before!"
Parrish nodded in agreement. "Deja vu, right? But we've been walking straight; we couldn't possibly be walking in circles, could
we?"
"Don't worry, we aren't walking in circles. Stick with me, and don't touch anything on the trees," Naylor advised, his last comment
clearly directed at Joana.
Joana bit her lip, suppressing the urge to argue. She knew she had to start playing nice according to the script Emily had laid out
for her. She had to begin her transformation into the darling of the crowd if she wanted to stay afloat in the ruthless entertainment
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtindustry.
With her reputation on shaky ground and the scarcity of quality roles, Joana was aware that her star could dim as quickly as it had
risen. The relentless cycle of fmeant that even if she felt wronged, she had to swallow her pride and endure.
Meanwhile, Astrid, armed with a dagger, had been discreetly marking the trees they passed. She was confident they weren't
moving in circles. But this place, with its ancient towering trees, blocked out the sunlight with its dense canopy, always giving off a
sense of darkness and oppression.
"Here, take a swig of this." Eoffered his water bottle to Astrid.
"I've got my own, thanks," Astrid declined, reaching for her backpack.
Ecircled behind her. "Letget that for you."
"Sure." Astrid accepted the water bottle he handed her and immediately felt her backpack grow lighter. Whirling around, she saw
Eputting her belongings into his own pack.
"I can carry it myself," she protested.
Ignoring her, Ezipped up his backpack and whispered conspiratorially, "You're on your period, right? Don't play the tough girl
now."
Astrid's heart skipped a beat. Damn, this guy remembered her period?
But he was spot-on—it was indeed that tof the month. Knowing she'd be uncomfortable, Astrid dropped the argument. After
all, why not accept sfree help?
Joana, on the other hand, was barely able to trudge along. Her backpack, laden not only with the essentials but also her makeup
and skincare products, was weighing her down. Pride kept her from complaining, for fear of being labeled the weak link.
Parrish had already taken sof Odell's load, and Clyde, noticing Joana's struggle, offered, "Joana, your pack seems heavy, huh?"
Hearing Clyde's voice felt like a choir of angels to Joana. She nodded eagerly, thinking he was offering to help. "Yes, it's so heavy."
Clyde delivered his advice with blunt practicality. "Ditch your makeup and skincare stuff, and you'll be good to go. Keep it up!"
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmJoana was speechless. Keep it up?
Astrid struggled to stifle her laughter.
Online, the viewers were having a field day. [LOL, has Clyde been hanging out with Mr. Lampard too much? He's got that straight-
guy bluntness down!]
[ROFL, Joana totally thought Clyde was going to carry her stuff. 'Keep it up,' they said—classic!]
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