Chapter 207

The next day the show went live, and the production team announced that Joseph, citing health reasons, had bowed out prematurely, whisked away the previous night by his agent.

Audiences in the live chat had seen it coming but rolled their eyes at the all–too–familiar eXCUSE “Health reasons, again? Come on, Bagot, can’t you come up with something new?”

“Last season it was ‘health reasons‘ too. At this rate, Bagot, you’re gonna make us think there’s something in the water at the studio,”

“Let’s not be too hard on Bagot, the poor guy’s had a rough go of it. Three seasons in, and not a smooth one yet.”

With Joseph’s fans out of the picture, the chatroom’s mood was noticeably lighter.

Taking advantage of a break before the interactive segment started, and while the guests were still nibbling on their sandwiches, the veteran viewers began to casually chat among themselves in the live feed.

Naturally, the conversation still revolved around Joseph.

Overnight, the news of Joseph’s harassment had fermented into a full–blown scandal, with internet sleuths digging up old TV scenes of his, uncovering one too many ‘brotherly‘ interactions with younger male actors.

Especially after reading Hanson’s lengthy post, those old clips took on a new, unsettling light. The audience felt duped for not seeing it before, and their sympathy for Hanson grew.

Meanwhile, Joseph maintained an eerie silence, seemingly intent on playing dead.

The viewers were too engrossed in teasing each other in the chat to notice Winnie stepping away from the camera to whisper something to Bagot.

Soon after, Bagot pulled aside a few guests for a quiet word, and to the audience’s shock, the crew began packing up as if ready to leave.

Confusion reigned in the chatroom.

“What happened to the live interaction? Are we not doing that anymore?”

“Bagot, you can’t just cancel the live show because we teased you.”

“No, please. I’ve been waiting all morning to see my favorite guy…”

As the queries piled up, Bagot finally addressed the audience.

Here’s the deal, folks, Winnie received an urgent private message this morning asking for help. The person in need is quite unique, so she decided to pause her own segment to look into it. I figured since it’s a viewer asking for help, why not make it a team effort? We’ll keep the live interaction going on our way over, and resume the assistance segment once we arrive”

Most viewers were understanding, though a few still felt it was unfair.

“Man’t help usually determined by a random draw? What’s with this private message special treatment?”

“I want to send a message too. Look at me, Winnie.”

“I’ve sent messages before, and why didn’t Winnie respond to mine?”

Winnie, keeping an eye on the chat, responded calmly, “The person who sent the message is asking for help for a deceased soldier’s child.”

Words silenced the chat instantly. She added, “The child is currently missing and it’s urgent, so I plan to go and see if I can help without taking up a spot in the help lottery…”

The chatroom’s tone changed immediately with her explanation.

“Go for it. Help whoever you want, Winnie. We’re just here to watch.”

“I’m standing by Winnie today. Let’s see who dares to complain.”

“A deceased soldier’s child, missing? Isn’t that more important than the usual cheating boyfriend drama?”

“I agree. Help the child first.”

“How old’s the kid? Could they have been kidnapped? Can the supernatural really help with this?”

“Of course, the supernatural can do anything.”

Knowing it was a deceased soldier’s child in need, the viewers no longer objected. The production crew quickly arranged for transport, and the guests began the live interaction from the comfort of a tour bus.

As the live interaction kicked off, Winnie connected with the viewer in need.

The viewer had been waiting anxiously in the chatroom and immediately expressed her gratitude upon joining.

The audience was surprised to discover that the viewer was a young woman in her twenties, her eyes clearly exhausted with dark circles beneath them.

“HI, Winnie, I didn’t expect you to actually see my message. I was desperate.” The viewer wasted no time explaining the situation, “The missing child is my aunt’s three–year–old. My uncle, a soldier, was dead last year, leaving just my aunt and their child.

Dowiter PRY The child disappeared the day before yesterday, vanished from our neighborhood. We suspect kidnapping. The police have been involved since then, but no leads. My aunt and the family are beside themselves with worry. He has a congenital heart condition. We were all set for surgery when he went missing. Now we’re scared he’ll have an episode, and if he does…”

Her voice broke with emotion, the strain evident.

“I spent all of yesterday posting online, hoping the kidnapper might return him. Seeing that ‘Ghostly Guidance‘ was filming near Serenity City, not far from us, I thought maybe Winnie could help since we’re out of options.”

Sympathy and urgency flooded the chatroom. Bagot promptly displayed the missing child’s photo on the live feed, and locals from Serenity City recognized the ongoing search efforts.

“Damn kidnappers, even targeting a dead soldier’s child.”

“Could it be revenge? I’ve heard of cartels targeting law enforcement families.”

“Whether police or military, they don’t have it easy. They deserve all the support.”

“Let’s hope the child is safe. If the show can help, please do.”

Winnie took in the chatroom’s reaction, then turned to the viewer and reassured her.

“Don’t worry. From the photo you sent, the child is under a faint aura of merit, likely from his father. It’s protecting him. He shouldn’t come to harm easily, and he seems safe for now. But to locate him, we’ll need his mother to connect with us. A mother–child bond can reveal much more.”

The viewer nodded fervently and hurried off to make the arrangements. The audience now understood how Winnie assessed the authenticity of a plea for help.

With the child protected by his father’s legacy of valor, it was clear the boy’s dad had been a hero.

It had been a while since the forum user had left the chat, but finally, she returned, dragging along a woman whose face was etched with fatigue and worry. The woman seemed reluctant, her movements stiff with resistance, but the forum user passionately insisted that she had found a true master in divination. She recounted the assurances that Winnie had offered before about the child being protected by the father’s benevolent spirit, and with some effort, she convinced the woman to sit in front of the camera.

“Winnie, this is my aunt,” the viewer said, gesturing to the woman beside her, “Can you see anything?

Can you tell us where the child might be?”

She didn’t quite understand the extent of what mysticism could reveal, but it was a glimmer of hope worth holding onto.

Winnie peered intently through the screen at the woman on the other side. After a long, 11:27 contemplative pause, with her eyes slightly flickering, she spoke, “Your face does show a significant trial connected to your child, but it’s not just your son who’s facing a tribulation. You, too, have a critical challenge to confront, one that appears to culminate today.

Moreover, it may threaten your very life.”