Chapter 132

The chat in the live stream went silent for a moment.

Just moments ago, the camera crew had broadcast a chilling scene right before the viewers’

eyes.

Everyone held their breath, too scared to send a message, fearing that even the slightest noise might draw the attention of “her”

on the screen.

It wasn’t until Winnie spoke up that the chat seemed to come back to life.

“OMG, that was terrifying! Was “she” there the whole time?!”

“So scary! | can’t believe something straight out of a horror flick just happened IRL!”

“It's all scripted, guys, special effects, okay? Look how scared you all got.”

“Come on, this is live, not pre-recorded!”

“| still think it’s special effects, no clue how they pulled it off, but it’s got to be fake!”

“What show plays these kinds of tricks, live ghost sightings? Isn’t the crew scared of getting marked by her?”

“If the stream isn’t banned by now, it means it’s all staged!”

“Can someone tell me this is just part of the show’s script?”

“Props to the showrunners, but can we stick to less spooky stuff next time?”

Despite the whining and whimpering in the chat, it was clear that most people preferred to believe this was all part of the show’s script.

Whether it was Suzan’s incident just now or yesterday’s fleeting image of Naylor being choked by five ghost girls at once.

They were scared, sure, but only because the performance was too convincing.

Refusing to believe it, several viewers even started recording the stream, slowing down the footage frame by frame to analyze it, hoping to catch the crew’s slip—ups.

The guests on the show, including Winnie, were oblivious to all this.

After Winnie had her say, Quincy seemed to deflate, slumping into the couch like a man defeated.

Kathryn, though bitter, was wary of crossing Winnie again and kept her mouth shut.

Just as Bagot was contemplating calling it an early wrap on the day’s filming, the sound of a car engine announced Barton’s return.

He had been in the dark about the whole thing. But with the online uproar too big to ignore and the Hendersons' place instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with them, Barton found out 10:25 what his son and wife had gone behind his back to do.

To say he was livid would be an understatement; it was as if his family’s reputation had been dragged through the mud!

Barton was steaming mad. How could he have been so busy with the company only to have this mess blow up?

Yet, in front of the cameras, Barton managed to maintain the composure befitting a successful businessman. He thanked the crew and then stated he’d seriously consider Winnie’s advice.

Since he now understood where Winnie stood, Barton didn’t dare play the card of past favors like the others; it would only serve to humiliate himself.

He feared pushing Winnie too far, risking a full-blown scandal involving the Henderson family’s past misdeeds against Winnie, possibly inviting the wrath of the Bryants. That would be a true loss beyond measure.

Compared to the rest of the Henderson clan, Barton was clearly more rational.

Although the crew wanted to capture more, perhaps the Henderson family’s final decision. Bagot had to call it a day, seeing Barton’s reluctance to continue.

But just before wrapping up, Suzan approached Kane with a small velvet pouch in hand.

“Mr. Morgan, may | keep this? Or perhaps | could buy it from you?” Suzan asked with a respectful and humble tone, partly due to Kane’s status and partly because she genuinely wanted what he had.

Others might not know, but she distinctly heard a cry of pain when the pouch hit her, and the grip on her neck had loosened as if scorched.

Suzan was sure that the pouch contained something as potent as an amulet.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to beg that ingrate Winnie for it.

Kane listened to her request, a slight frown crossing his face, but he kept a courteous demeanor.

“I'm glad it could help you, but this is a prop from the show. I'll have to check with the crew if | can pass it on to you,” he said, then added, “Alternatively, you could ask the crew if they have any spares.”

Suzan caught on immediately, thanked Kane, returned the charm in the pouch, and went off to find the crew.

Kane, smoothing out the wrinkled pouch, prepared to stow it away when Mervin strolled over. “Let's take a peek inside that pouch first,” he suggested casually.

All guests knew what was inside, and now, curious, they crowded around.

Going along with Mervin's hint, Kane opened the pouch in front of the camera, making up for yesterday’s missed footage.

10:25 So, the viewers watched as the so-called life-saving prop contained a charm, burned at one corner.

“Yikes, how come it’s singed?” Candace was the first to notice the talisman’s condition and exclaimed.

Gentry quickly explained, “That's because it’s been used. These charms burn when they encounter evil spirits or accidents, taking the hit for someone.”

Kane’s act of throwing the charm to ward off the ghost was considered a use.

Since the charm had only made brief contact to repel the entity without causing serious harm, it had only used up a third of its power.

“So, can the rest of it still be used?” Kane directed the question at Mervin.

He obviously came over with a purpose, hinting that the talisman’s effectiveness might be compromised after use.

“It's definitely less effective now. If possible, you should ask the crew for a replacement.”

Baily, having just escaped Suzan’s clutches, overheard Mervin and couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

Do they think this was some food they serve, finish one and ask for another?

Ned, the host, took the cue and explained to the audience, “Ladies and gentlemen, our protection charm is a one-off item. Once it's used, it’s gone for good.”

Candace couldn't help but ask, “We don’t get a new one for the next episode?”

Ned gave a slight smile and answered, “This little lifesaver is the only one for the entire six-episode run, not one per episode. So | urge all of you to use it wisely.”

As Ned finished speaking, a visible change came over the faces of the guests.

Initially, upon learning that the trump card was merely a piece of paper, and even after hearing from Mervin that it was crafted by a supernatural master, they hadn't taken it very seriously.

They simply figured that if the charm was used up, they’d get a new one.

Who would have thought that the production team would only distribute it once!