bChapter /bb536 /b

    Vanessa tried to tune out the crunching sounds behind her, focusing on the game. But her skills werecking, and soon she and Lillian were once again getting crushed by Jessica and Sabrina.

    The live chat hadn’t let up since Spencer started feeding Vanessa.

    [So they are acting like a loving couple?]

    [They’re both so fake. I can’t watch this. Director, switch the camera.]

    [Seriously, no chemistry at all. This “sweetness” is way too forced.]

    [Vanessa gets upset so easily.]

    [Tell me about it. She’s this mad over a friendly game? If it were serious, she’d probably storm off.]

    [Shut up. Vanessa’s not like that.]

    [Why are there more and more haters? Mods, do something.]

    [Poor Vanessa. She’s getting picked on even when ying a game. They must be jealous of how popr she is.]

    [Totally. She’s the biggest star on this show.]

    [Vanessa, don’t worry. We’ve got your back.]

    [Yeah, protect the best Vanessa in the world. Haters get lost!]

    [Scram!]

    Thements were flooded again by Vanessa’s fans, who pushed down all the negativements

    about her.

    Their pushy behavior made casual viewers‘ opinion of Vanessa drop hard.

    Lillian’s fans were annoyed seeing thements about Vanessa being the biggest star with the most

    clout.

    They thought, ‘Sure, Vanessa debuted earlier and has some well–known works, but after all these

    years, she still didn’t win a Best Actress award.

    ‘She spent all her time on red carpets, trying cheap tricks to stay relevant, and still only managed to be a mid–tier celebrity. When ites down to it, Lillian is way ahead of her.‘

    b1/3 /b

    15

    13:19 Wed, 3 Sept IOA

    Jessica didn’t know about the drama in thements, staying focused on her cards.

    5%

    +15

    This game, with her intentionally easing up and Sabrina holding back, Lillian and Vanessa finally won a couple of times and didn’t lose nearly as badly.

    When the game ended, Vanessa stayed quiet while Lillian used sweet words tofort Chase, who’d

    been let down.

    Only Sabrina, still having a st, spoke up excitedly to Jessica. “Shuffle up. Let’s keep going.”

    But Jessica shook her head, holding her lower back. “I can’t. My back’s bothering me. I need a break.”

    Being this far along, the pressure on her lower back was already bad, and with twins, she got tired even faster. After ying several games in a row, she really couldn’t sitfortably anymore.

    “Jessi, quick, stand up and walk around a bit.” As soon as Brian heard Jessica’s back hurt, he reached out to help her up.

    Jessica didn’t refuse. She used Brian’s support to stand.

    Raymond quickly spoke up when he saw this. “Right, youdies have been ying for quite a few games and must be tired. Time for a break. Now, let’s bring out our male guests to take over.”

    Vanessa had long wanted to stop ying. At his words, she immediately stood up to give up her seat and turned to Spencer with a smile. “Hon, go get them. I’m rooting for you.”

    Spencer didn’t really want ito /iy either, but he couldn’t very well say no. So he smiled and agreed, even leaning down to steal a quick kiss on Vanessa’s cheek to show off their affection.

    “Chase, you gotta help me win some back, okay?” Lillian cooed at Chase.

    “Don’t worry, just watch me.” Chase had been itching to y for a while.

    Sabrina was still having fun but got up to let Connor take her spot. She made sure to tell him, “If you get stuck, just ask me. y however you want. If you lose, I’ll win it back for youter.”

    Connor leanedzily against her barm/b. “Okay, I knew you’d look out for me.”

    Brian was worried about Jessica and didn’t really want to y, but she pushed him down. “Go on, y properly, Don’t make me look bbad/b.”