Ivory Murphy couldn't help but laugh at the idea that anyone could truly understand her character just from how she tackled a task. The thought was almost comical.

Just as the group was about to head out the door, a soft voice drifted down from the top of the stairs.

“Hold on a second.”

It was Jaylani Cunningham. They turned and found her standing there—pale, delicate, yet managing a gentle smile, like a fragile but beautiful lily.

Braxton Reynolds couldn't help but rush upstairs to steady her, half-teasing, half-scolding. “I told you to take it easy. Why are you up?”

Jaylani smiled back. “I'm okay now. I can get back to it.”

To Braxton—and everyone watching the livestream—her determination made her the very picture of resilience. Plenty of viewers were moved.

“Wow, she's not just smart—she's got grit. Jaylani's really raising the bar for all of us,” one viewer commented.

“Jaylani seriously inspires me. Time to step up my game!”

“She's under the weather and still pushing through? What a trooper.”

“If she didn't go all in, how could she hang out with someone like Huxley Murphy? Real talent takes brains and hard work,” others added.

“Wait—are you saying Jaylani knows my Dream Lawyer?”

The news that Jaylani was connected to Huxley Murphy spread fast among viewers who hadn’t seen her latest Twitter update. A quick look at her social media shifted their perception of her all over again. If she ran with someone as brilliant and capable as Huxley Murphy, then her reputation as a gifted academic had to be real. Suddenly, her earlier fainting incident didn’t look like melodrama at all. Surely she’d fainted for some other reason, they concluded—and the show’s doctor must have misdiagnosed her.

The show’s doctor, had he heard them, might have objected.

“Are you sure you're all right?” Braxton pressed, still worried. “I could take care of this for you. Really. Just a quick video shoot.”

Jaylani shook her head resolutely. “I signed up for this show, so I should stick to the plan. Even if I'm not at 100%, I need to go on.”

Braxton said no more, his admiration deepening. He knew Jaylani embodied the kind of person he admired—gentle yet strong.

“All right, if you need anything, I'll be close by,” he assured her.

“Wow, Braxton's got game. He's good at this!” the livestream comments buzzed.

“Is it just me, or does it seem like Braxton is really falling for Jaylani? Oh no, please don't!”

“Agree! But remember, you're here to play a role, not to fall for real.”

The comments split into two camps: those praising the chemistry between Braxton and Jaylani, and Braxton's fans who weren't too pleased with his performance.

“What’s with some fans? Your favorite chose to be on this show. If he’s here, he needs to play his part. We’re here to watch some romance and enjoy the pairings. Don’t like it? Feel free to leave,” someone argued.

“Exactly. Don’t expect your favorite to stay single for you forever. If you think men are reliable, you’d believe pigs can fly.”

“Enough with the bitterness. Our Braxton keeps his promises. He said he'd stay single for us, and he will! No need for outsiders to worry,” another fan defended.

The comments turned into an all-out war, both sides slinging barbs. The director frowned and quickly cut the stream back to the doorway.

There, the group waited quietly for the upstairs drama to finish. Ivory leaned against the doorframe, eyes half-closed, staring into the distance, trying to ignore the cringe-worthy performance unfolding above.

Standing beside her was Ellis Murphy. The subtle woody scent he wore seemed to calm her restless afternoon mood. She couldn't help but take a deep breath, like a cat luxuriating in a sunbeam, inching closer to him.

Ellis glanced at her, puzzled.

His eyebrows knitted slightly. Was Ivory... sniffing him? Her face had the blissful look of a cat basking in sunlight, eyes narrowed and lips curved in satisfaction. For a moment, he wasn’t sure whether to laugh or step away. But her expression was so endearing that Ellis chose to stay put.

Fine. Let her. They were about to head out anyway.

Ivory thought she was being subtle as she edged closer, enjoying the calming scent. This was bliss. She decided she’d ask Ellis what cologne he used when she had the chance. She wanted to buy the same one.

In the livestream, a few keen-eyed viewers noticed Ivory's subtle actions and immediately reacted.

“What's Ivory doing? Having no luck with Braxton, now she's targeting Ellis?”

“If she makes a move on Ellis, I won't forgive her!”

“This woman flits from guy to guy. She needs to stay away from Ellis!”

Ellis's usually laid-back fans nearly lost their minds watching this. They weren't opposed to him dating, but not with someone like Ivory, whose reputation was less than stellar.

Amid the uproar, a shy voice popped up in the chat.

“Uh, not to stir the pot, but don’t they look good together? He’s tall and she’s petite, standing so close to him—it’s kind of sweet?”

“Are you an Ivory fan??”

“No, forget it, I didn't say anything.”

This user, “Will Die Without Ships,” quietly snapped a screenshot of the moment from the livestream, feeling a rush of excitement.

Driven by a bold impulse, they posted the clip to Twitter with the caption: “Just discovered a new ship: Ivellis!”

The name blended Ivory and Ellis, and somehow it fit the moment perfectly. Ellis, typically aloof and reserved, didn’t shy away from Ivory’s closeness—a rare display of warmth.

Even if it was an unexpected pairing, the Ivellis ship had made its debut. Eventually, Braxton and Jaylani came down the stairs, returning to the group.

Before the guests could head out, they had to wait while the crew finished setting up the outdoor filming gear. They gathered under the villa’s porch, squinting at the blazing sun, their enthusiasm wilting by the second.

The male guests seemed to take it a little better—none of them appeared particularly worried about tanning. The women, though, stared down the scorching sun like it was a personal enemy. Even Millie Reed felt a flicker of dread. She wasn’t the type to obsess over a ten-step skincare routine like some celebrity, but the idea of frying under that sun wasn’t exactly appealing. Luckily, she’d just reapplied sunscreen and prayed it would hold up.

A shadow fell over her. Millie froze. To her surprise, Ivory Murphy was standing right beside her, holding a pastel pink parasol.

Catching Millie’s stare, Ivory assumed she wanted in on the shade. “You didn’t bring an umbrella either? No worries—mine’s big enough for two.” She lifted the parasol, pulling Millie under its cover.

Ivory had only just remembered her parasol, abandoned earlier on the villa’s porch. Sunscreen or not, she didn’t trust it against sunlight this brutal, so she’d gone back for it.

Millie blinked up at the stretch of pink above her, caught off guard. She hadn’t expected Ivory to offer her shade—let alone hold the umbrella for her. Millie had been nursing a bit of a grudge against Ivory because of her ties to Braxton Reynolds; she’d assumed the girl would be a pain to deal with.

Now, though, she felt a sting of shame at how quick she’d been to judge. Smiling, she took the umbrella from Ivory. “Let me hold it. I’m taller.”

The second it left her mouth, she worried Ivory might take it as a dig at her height. But Ivory only nodded, totally unbothered.

“You’re really tall—I wish I were that tall. Then I could finally wear that Victorian-style gown I’ve been obsessed with!” Ivory sighed, remembering the dress she’d had to pass up because of her height. She puffed out her cheeks in playful frustration, looking like a pouting pufferfish.

Millie couldn’t help but laugh. Up close, Ivory was kind of adorable. She was just a blunt, honest girl—not the scheming villain the internet painted her as.

Nearby, Mikaela Jackson spotted Ivory under the parasol and couldn’t resist a jab. “Some people are so vain—like sunscreen’s gonna make her face any prettier.” She’d muttered it, but not quietly enough. A few heads turned. Mikaela slapped a hand over her mouth, nervously glancing at Jaylani Cunningham beside her.

Jaylani kept her usual serene smile, and Mikaela relaxed. Jaylani hadn’t missed the comment—she agreed with it, actually. But unlike Mikaela, she wasn’t dumb enough to say it loud enough for the wrong people to hear. That kind of slip had a way of biting you later.

Finally, the crew was ready, cameras and gear in tow. At the director’s cue, everyone set off. Each guest had their own idea of the island’s most beautiful spot, so they scattered down different paths.

Oscar Alvarez took off immediately, already knowing exactly where he wanted to film. Keith Morris headed the opposite way, just as purposeful. Ellis Murphy strolled off in another direction, the picture of laid-back ease—like he was filming a wellness-retreat ad.

The standout, though, was Braxton Reynolds, lagging conspicuously behind the female guests. He had a destination in mind, sure—but he was far more concerned with Jaylani. So he followed her, with “coincidence” ready as his excuse.

As it happened, Jaylani was headed the same way as Ivory. The thought of a pest like Braxton trailing after them made Ivory’s skin crawl.

Noticing Ivory’s furrowed brow, Millie asked, “Everything okay?”

Ivory scrunched her nose and dropped her voice. “I’ve got a tagalong. And he’s annoying as hell.”

Millie immediately guessed who the tagalong was, but Ivory’s bluntness caught her off guard.

“Didn’t you like Braxton—” Millie started, only to get a look from Ivory that screamed, Do you really think my taste is that bad?

Millie blinked, confused. But Ivory had no interest in explaining. She was still annoyed by the mess the original Ivory had left behind, but she knew the truth would come out eventually.

Hoping to shake Braxton, Ivory and Millie picked up the pace. They were headed in the same direction—Ivory to the rocky coast, Millie to the grove nearby—and both planned to be back within half an hour.

Once they split up, Ivory reached her destination: the spot where she’d found Ellis earlier that morning. It had stuck with her ever since the director announced the task.

She glanced at the spot where the fish had escaped, a twinge of disappointment prickling through her. Peering down from the rocks, she saw no sign of any fish. So much for her fish dinner.

And it wasn’t just the fish getting under her skin. Jaylani had trailed after her like a shadow.

“Ivory? What a coincidence—we picked the same spot.” Jaylani smiled.

Ivory rolled her eyes before turning to face her. This location wasn’t exactly convenient, and Ivory hadn’t planned on shooting anything elaborate, so her cameraman stayed back, filming her from a distance.

Jaylani, meanwhile, waved her cameraman off for the moment, saying she wanted to scout the location herself and would call him over once she decided it was good enough. The considerate act earned her another round of praise from her audience—always so thoughtful, so kind.

So Jaylani stood there alone, unaccompanied, perfectly maintaining her facade of sweet, generous grace.

Braxton Reynolds had been following Jaylani Cunningham when she mentioned she was thirsty, so he dutifully headed back to the villa for an iced coffee. When he returned, he was surprised to find only Jaylani’s cameraman—Jaylani was nowhere in sight.

Concerned, Braxton asked where she’d gone. The cameraman pointed toward the rocky shoreline, guessing she’d gone there to film.

“Mr. Reynolds, let’s go check it out,” the cameraman said.

Braxton nodded and followed him to the rocks. The second they arrived, his blood ran cold: Jaylani was standing with Ivory Murphy.

Irritation flared hot in his chest. He was just about to call out to Jaylani when he saw her stumble and hit the rocks. From where he stood, it looked as if Ivory had pushed her.

“Jaylani!” he shouted, furious, and rushed toward them.

The cameraman looked just as shocked. As he scrambled toward Jaylani, he was already frantically trying to reach the director.

“It looked like Ivory just pushed Jaylani right in front of us! This is going to be a disaster!” he fretted, panic sharp in his voice.

The production team had no clue what had happened. They were in a meeting, discussing future episodes, when the news hit. The director bolted for the beach, panic-stricken.

Back at the scene, Braxton helped Jaylani to her feet, his anger aimed straight at Ivory. “How could you be so heartless? You know Jaylani’s been sick, and you pushed her! She was right by the ocean—what if she’d fallen in? Could you live with yourself?” he shouted.

Jaylani, visibly in pain, tried to calm him, her voice soft. “It’s okay, Braxton. I’m fine. Ivory didn’t mean to…”

She glanced up at Ivory, who stood over her like she didn’t have a care in the world.

Viewers of Braxton and Jaylani’s livestream were shocked—and furious.

[Just when I started thinking Ivory might not be so bad after that lunch drama, she pulls this? Can she really be this cold-hearted?]

[This is so dangerous! If Jaylani had been standing any differently, she could’ve been pushed into the ocean! Unbelievable!]

[Ivory is such a villain! It wasn’t enough to mess with someone’s relationship—now she’s getting violent!]

[Jaylani, stop being so forgiving! She’s walking all over you, and you’re still defending her? Infuriating!]

Echoing the viewers, Braxton was beside himself with rage, his eyes blazing. Jaylani’s timid glance spoke of fear and vulnerability, painting her as the victim of Ivory’s bullying.

He couldn’t stand seeing the woman he cared about treated this way.

Braxton shot to his feet and reached out to push Ivory. “I usually never hit women, but you’ve really crossed the line today—I can’t—”

Ivory just looked at him with pure disdain. As she moved to step aside, a long arm suddenly cut in front of her, blocking Braxton’s advance.

A cool, firm voice intervened.

“Mr. Reynolds, it’s never gentlemanly to raise a hand to a woman.”

The voice was calm, carrying an undeniable chill.

Ellis Murphy had stepped in, gripping Braxton’s wrist. Braxton winced but kept his composure, aware of the cameraman recording behind Ellis.

Braxton swallowed his anger. “Mr. Murphy, Ivory started this. I’m trying to defend Jaylani. I hope you’re not taking the aggressor’s side!”

Ivory couldn’t resist a scoff at Braxton’s accusation, her expression mocking.

“Maybe you should donate your brain to someone who actually needs it,” she replied icily.

“What are you insinuating?” Braxton snapped, frustrated. “You pushed Jaylani, and now you’re denying it? We all saw it happen!”

“And which eyes saw me do it? With which hands?” Ivory countered, arms crossed.

“Both eyes! It wasn’t just me—the three cameramen and every livestream viewer saw it too!” Braxton retorted.

From where Braxton and the cameramen stood, they all thought they had seen the same thing. After Jaylani exchanged a few words with Ivory, she suddenly stumbled backward as if struck by something invisible, then fell.

What else could it have been but Ivory pushing her? Unless Ivory planned to claim Jaylani staged the fall. That would be ridiculous.

On the ground, Jaylani lowered her head, a quick gleam of satisfaction flickering in her eyes. She’d timed everything perfectly, making sure Braxton and the cameras caught her fall just in time.

Ivory was cornered this time!

Ivory merely shrugged, unfazed.

“So that’s your interpretation? Maybe you all need to get your eyes checked.”

Braxton blinked, his fury deepening, ready to go at Ivory again.

“Ivory! I thought an apology would be enough, but now I’m calling the police. You will face the consequences!”

Calling the police?

“No!”

Braxton stopped, surprised that the protest came from Jaylani, not Ivory.

He looked at Jaylani, puzzled by her unexpected objection.

But when he saw the worry in her eyes, his anger softened.

Holding her hand, he cut in, “Jaylani, I know you want to shield Ivory, but she needs to be held accountable. If you’d been any less lucky, you could’ve fallen into the sea. This isn’t just bullying—it’s potentially attempted murder!”

Attempted murder now?

Ivory wasn’t scared. If anything, she was amused. How could a man this naive be the protagonist?

Absolutely baffling.

Jaylani was still lying on the ground, her guilt and panic plain to see. Yet Braxton read her nervousness as kindness.

Whatever. Let them call the police. The bigger the scandal, the better. She wouldn’t be the one embarrassed when the truth came out.

To Braxton’s surprise, Ivory smiled and agreed with his proposal wholeheartedly.

“You’re right. It’s time for justice. The police will find out who’s lying, so call them. I’m ready for a fair investigation.”

Her sudden righteousness caught Braxton off guard.

But it was too late for Ivory now, he thought. If she’d apologized earlier, he might have reconsidered. But at this point…

“The truth will come out, Ivory. Prepare to face the consequences.”

It almost seemed laughable. Ivory’s reputation was already in shambles—how much worse could it get?

What a shame Jaylani had to endure such distress.

Meanwhile, Jaylani’s heart raced, her palms clammy.

Call the police?

This didn’t need police involvement! Besides, it couldn’t involve the police. She’d only meant to publicly humiliate Ivory, to further tarnish her reputation in front of everyone and the livestream viewers.