Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Chapter 165: Snide Comments

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Samantha did not seem to mind as much and said nonchalantly, “Any number is fine.”

The contestants beside her started murmuring among themselves when they heard such a conceited comment from her. One of the already famous contestants, Jade Plunkett, said sarcastically. “Confident, are we? Hopefully, she can remain just as calm when she gets number one.”

When Lychee TV’s official Waybo account posted the promotional photos, it became a hot topic on the internet because Samantha was one of them. It was all due to her unique position of being Mrs. Barker. Busybody netizens centered their discussions around her compared to the stark disinterest shown toward other contestants.

Samantha had no professional experience and neither did she ever win any award. She would not have gotten such attention if it were not for her status as Mrs. Barker. With her limelight overshadowing other contestants, it was only natural for them to view her with discontent.

Jade’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft. It was just the right volume to reach Samantha’s ears.

She was unmoved though, and merely acted as if she had not heard it.

Internet discussions and netizens’ comments were beyond her control. Her conscience was clear as long as she did her best.

Skill and ability were the deciding factors in the competition, not snide comments and mockery.

Samantha lowered his eyes, looked at the paper in her hand, and opened it to see a big, black, bold number—1.

One of the staff came over to record her number and it was then shown on the big screen.

Jade laughed immediately. “Would you look at that? Try to act tough and disaster strikes in an instant. Even God can’t stand her anymore and decided to give her number one.”

Another contestant agreed, “It won’t be long before we can enjoy her performance. I wonder if she can keep up her reputation as Mrs. Barker.”

A different contestant added, “That’s right. Wouldn’t it be better to just stay at home and enjoy her life as a rich wife? She should’ve participated in those easygoing variety shows if she really wanted to show off. I don’t know what she’s thinking when she joined this kind of competition that relies on ability and could easily expose her shortcomings.”

One other contestant then said, “She might have real talent, you know. Maybe she just wants to show everyone just how good she is.”

Everyone laughed as soon as those words were spoken.

Real talent? Who could possibly believe that?

Harmony did not participate in their discussion. She opened the note in her hand and saw the number 15 in bold.

The staff came to record her number and it was then shown on the big screen.

The contestants’ attention finally shifted to her. When they saw her number, all of them could not help but express their envy.

“How lucky! She’s the chosen one!”

“She has the most preparation time because the fifteenth is the last one to present. I’m so jealous!”

“All else aside, Harmony really is a beautiful woman. I may be a girl, but even I feel moved when I see her. It’s so unlike that other person. I mean, that person is beautiful too, but she probably spent a lot of money to do plastic surgery over her entire face. That’s probably why she could marry into the Barkers.”

Samantha listened to all their mockery but was unaffected by them in the least! In fact, she even felt like laughing! However, their comment that she had undergone plastic surgery struck a nerve.

Her body was entirely natural. She had never undergone any plastic surgery!

How could she get the money for such procedures when she was so poor that she could not even afford to eat!

She glanced at the contestant who spoke and thought to herself, ‘Hehe, now that’s what you call a face that has gone under the knife. She probably has such a horrible view of everyone because she’s horrible herself.’

Harmony was not at all smug just because she got number 15. She even leaned over to Samantha and offered, “I can exchange my number with you if you’d like, Sammy.”

Samantha was slightly taken aback because she never expected Harmony to say such a thing.

She had not even gotten the chance to answer when the other contestants started muttering again.

“Goodness! Am I hearing things? Harmony wants to swap numbers with Samantha? That’ll mean she’ll be the first to present. Is she just pleasing Mrs. Barker or does she really have what it takes?”

“It doesn’t look like she’s trying to curry favor or anything. Maybe she really does have the ability and wants to help Samantha while she’s at it? She’s too kind!”

Samantha quickly snapped back to her senses and replied with a smile, “No thanks.”

Harmony did not insist either. “All the best.”

She turned to the other contestants, “I’m fine with any number. Do any of you want to change?”

The contestant who had number two hurriedly yelled out, “Me, me, me! Swap numbers with me, Harmony! I really can’t present it if I’m second in line!”

Harmony smiled softly, “Okay then. I’ll change with you. I’ll take number two and you can take my number fifteen.”

“Thank you, thank you! You’re so kind!”

Contestant number two rushed over and hugged Harmony. After exchanging their numbers, she smiled at Harmony and said, “I’m very optimistic about your chances, Harmony. You’ll definitely get first place!”

“Thanks.”

Everyone’s numbers were finally displayed on the big screen.

Samantha was first, Harmony was second, and Jade was third...

All of them then watched the breaking news together.

The big screen went black for a moment before lighting up again to play the breaking news.

Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the big screen to scrutinize the events within. Each element was extracted and a press release was prepared.

Everyone jotted down notes while they watched. Samantha was the only one who never even wrote down anything during the entire course of the video.

Three minutes later, the video came to an end and the screen became black again.

The contestants groaned for a moment. They felt like they had not even gotten the chance to see anything and it was already over.

A contestant asked, “Could you play it again, Mr. Schuck?”

Walter had an impartial look. “No. That’s it.”

After a pause, he looked at the watch in his hand and said, “Alright, you have five minutes from now. Contestant number one will be the first to present, followed by number two and so on. Anyone who can’t present anything must step down. Time is of the essence!”

The countdown began at the conclusion of his sentence.

The contestants did not dare to complain and immediately seized every moment they had to organize their sentences and write down a news report.

Samantha replayed the breaking news she had just watched, identified all the salient points, then spent some time structuring her sentences for the press release.

Five minutes passed in the blink of an eye and Walter said again, “Five minutes are up! Can we have contestant number one, Samantha Larsson, to present her news report?”

Samantha closed her eyes and clenched her hand slightly. She then opened her eyes and got up to walk toward the stage.

The contestants all stopped what they were doing and watched her as she went up. Everyone was ready to enjoy the show.

Five minutes was not nearly enough time for them to extract the pertinent information, let alone present the news! Samantha was only going to embarrass herself if she went up!

Samantha sat on the news stage and faced the camera. Her hands were still clenched because she was nervous.

Walter said, “Go!”

Samantha opened her lips but did not say a single word.