Chapter 285 Snake Bite The sun rose early the next morning. At the break of dawn, the contestants had already woken up, and the host made his appearance. Their task for the day was picking and making tea. It was then the contestants realized that there was a mountain near the camp, and on it were fields of tea leaves. These people went all their lives drinking tea, but not once did they ever make tea. Delighted by the task, they urged the production team and everyone to set off at once.
But then, a scream pierced through the air. Everyone froze, then Chester ran into Team Aâs tent.
âGiadaâs in trouble, huh?â Fiona approached Amelie.
Amelie looked around. The girls were all here, save for Giada. Just when she was about to say something, two more cries rang from the tent, and everyone ran toward it.
Just before they could enter the tent, Giada screamed shrilly. âA snake! A snake bit me!â
Everyoneâs faces fell. Fabian tore the entranceâs curtains open, and everyone looked inside. Giada was all curled up, holding her leg. She was screaming and looking as pale as a ghost. Chester was white as well, hiding in a corner. And then everyone saw a green snake slither out of the tent, moving as fast as a bolt of green lightning.
âAm I gonna die?â Giada burst into tears, fearing for her life.
Chester snapped out of it. âWhereâs the doctor?â
Fabian ran inside and picked Giada up. And then he quickly darted over to the production team. The staff members were taking it seriously. Fortunately, they had a medic with them, and Giada was taken into the trailer. With the snake emergency looming over them, the contestantsâ earlier passion was fully doused.
They waited for a while, and the doctor eventually came out.
âHow is it?â Chester asked in a hurry.
The doctor took his gloves off. âThe snake is not venomous, fortunately. Iâve given her the serum, so she should be fine.â
Chester heaved a sigh of relief, but he asked, âWhere did that snake come from?â
Giada hobbled out of the car, and Chester quickly held her.
âYeah. Where did that snake come from?â Giadaâs eyes were red with fear, and she looked at the tents.
We barricaded the tents with sulfur. Thereâs no way any snakes couldâve gotten into the tents.â
Obviously, someone put the snake in her tent when everyone was sleeping. Or so she accused.
âYeah, true. We did that.â Everyone looked at one another in suspicion.
âWhy donât we call the cops?â someone suggested.
âWhat say you, Foxy?â Suddenly, Giada turned her attention to Amelie. âIâm in distress. Perhaps we should call the cops.â
What is she trying to say?
âWhat are you talking about? You think Foxy was the one who sabotaged you?â Fiona snapped. She didnât like Giadaâs attitude.
Giada didnât hold back. âI see no other suspect. She knows what she did last night.â
What? Amelie gave Giada an awkward look and turned her attention to Leo. Leo was in the distance, looking at them calmly, as if he was just a spectator. When Amelie looked at him, he met her eyes, but she saw no panic in his gaze. Only serenity.
Something happened last night? The other contestants gave Amelie a gossipy look.
Amelie quickly looked away, lest someone saw her meeting eyes with Leo. âA bold yet uncorroborated accusation, Miss Yates.â She thought I would put a snake in her tent just because I saw her hugging Leo last night? Thatâs a big leap of logic there.
Giada shuffled over to Amelie and huddled closer to her. Then she hissed quietly, âI know youâve hooked up with Mr. Alston. You got mad jealous because I hugged him last night, and that snake was your attack on me.â
Me, hooking up with him? Where did she get that idea? Gods, sheâs stupid. âI didnât do anything, Miss Yates. Do not accuse me of something I didnât do.â She took a step back. Donât want her stupidity to rub off on me.
âIâm pretty sure youâre just denying your crimes. We might have to call the cops,â Giada growled.
âWhat are you, stupid? Just because you got bitten by a snake doesnât mean someone put it there, dumb*ss!â
Someone shoved Giada away, and she almost tumbled.
Amelie stared at her backer in awe. What is up with these mountains? Everyoneâs gone wonky since we got here. First Giada, and now Jodie? Sheâs⦠helping me? Is it gonna rain gold today? She looked up to the skies. No. Itâs still clear.
Jodie wasnât trying to help Foxy, but she overheard Giadaâs whispers. She was delighted to hear that Leo and Foxy had hooked up. Canât let the cops take her away. I need them to find my happiness.
Giada almost fell from the push, but she said nothing. Jodie was Leoâs sister, and she didnât want to get on her bad side. Yet she shot Amelie a glare, and then the matter was put to rest.
The production team would love it if they didnât have to call the cops. Even if everything was fine, the public would still doubt the integrity of the team. If they found something bad, then all the investment in the show would be for nothing.
The director stepped up and calmed Giada down. The injury, according to him, could be seen as a work injury, and Giada would still be paid accordingly even if she stayed out of the shoot.
Giada looked at Leo and shook her head. âItâs alright. The snake bite is painful, but I canât let this be my excuse to drag everyone down. I can still go on.â I canât see Leo if I were to leave now. I must press on.
The director was delighted, and he clapped and thanked her profusely.
Already there was a tea maker when the contestants made their way to the tea garden. The contestants were then each given a small basket and were taught how to pick the leaves.
Leo watched as Amelie drifted off into the mountain. Even though he was annoyed by her less-than-
welcome treatment, he couldnât help but look at her.
Amelie picked a few tea leaves and took a whiff. She fell in love with the fresh scent they were radiating, and she took some deep breaths. But when she opened her eyes, she was met with a mysterious gaze.
Leo? Why is he looking at me like that?
Just when she was about to ask, someone pounced into Leoâs embrace.