Love Me Or Leave Me

CHAPTER 39

“Why did he berate those girls?” Rebecca retorted.

After thinking for a moment, Rebecca replied, “I think Chuck is a very polite person. He treated me well and was

kind to everyone.

“Although Chuck lashed out, I don’t think he’d do it without good reason. But if you believe he should just sit back

and take it while someone bullies him and pushes him too far, without ever standing up for himself, then let’s agree to disagree. Our views might be quite different.”

Lesley’s face darkened instantly upon hearing this. “You…”

In the livestream, Charlie’s fans, who had been quietly observing, were already furious when Lesley deliberately

steered the conversation. They flooded the chat with angry comments questioning Lesley’s intentions, but she

ignored them.

However, after everyone heard Becky’s response, they burst into laughter. Charlie’s fans were delighted and grew

even more fond of Becky.

[Exactly! Chuck is always polite to those who are courteous to him. But when someone is rude to him, he gives it right back. That’s only fair, right?]

[Becky is so bold. I really like her. She’s definitely a true Chuck fan!]

[Am I the only one who noticed that Becky is usually so gentle, but she becomes fierce when defending Chuck?]

[I noticed that, too! When Lesley was badmouthing Chuck, Becky wasn’t smiling at all.]

Lesley’s smile faded. She hadn’t expected Becky to defend Charlie so resolutely. Wasn’t she worried that standing by him so firmly might ruin her own future if his reputation took a hit?

Since the beginning of this variety show, Lesley had assumed that Becky aimed to enter the entertainment industry. In this field, a little sincerity and a lot of savvy were required. Who would jeopardize their own prospects.

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Silently cursing Becky for being foolish, Lesley forced a laugh and tried to steer the conversation again. “No one is bullying him. It’s just those influencers outside causing trouble. Isn’t our industry always like this?”

Rebecca replied calmly, “I don’t really understand how this circle works, but I believe in Chuck.”

[Exactly, we believe in Chuck too!]

[Saying it’s just influencers chasing clout makes me laugh. Can they even sleep at night knowing they’re spreading lies?]

[Supporting Becky, supporting Chuck!]

[What does Lesley mean by this? Is she deliberately trying to stir things up and smear Chuck on the show?]

[Yeah, I want to know what Lesley’s goal is. Did Chuck offend her somehow?]

As everyone chatted, time slipped by unnoticed. The program’s loudspeaker suddenly announced that time was up and the game was over, snapping everyone back to reality.

Finally, it was time for the game results. Everyone gathered back in the village as Ben announced the outcomes.

“Group One caught eight chickens. Group Two caught five chickens.

“Group Three caught 18 chickens. Group Four caught 27 chickens.

“Group Five caught 27 chickens.”

In the end, Groups Four and Five tied for first place, and according to the rules, the first–place winners would receive a cash prize of forty thousand dollars.

Group Three came in second and won a WhirlWave washing machine.

Group One came in third and received a box of SweetBurst fruit–flavored candies.

When the game results were announced, everyone was bewildered. How did Group Four manage to catch 27 chickens? How did Janet pull it off?

For now, the show provided no explanation for this mystery. The livestream ended with everyone having dinner together, followed by footage of the caravan leaving the village late at night.

However, Rebecca learned the truth in the car from Charlie.

After all, Janet was a seasoned actress, and since this variety show had invited her, the producers needed to give her ample spotlight. They couldn’t just have her play a supporting role.

But Janet’s performance throughout the filming was rather average, so her only chance to shine was at the end.

The show involved some behind–the–scenes manipulation. Away from the live cameras, they staged a special segment just for Janet, allowing her to “accidentally” discover a treasure, which was a hen with a large brood of chicks.

The total number of hens and chicks matched the chickens their team had caught. This clever setup boosted Janet’s status and gave her a standout moment without overshadowing them, thus preventing a backlash from Charlie’s fans. This was the show’s way of balancing relationships between the stars.

Additionally, while this variety show was filmed live and gained immense popularity in its initial stages, the producers planned to edit and upload the professional footage to streaming platforms and possibly broadcast it on television later. Janet’s final twist was left as a cliffhanger to ensure high anticipation for the edited version, creating suspense for the post–production release.

Many viewers enjoyed the live broadcast but were left wondering how Janet turned the situation around. This curiosity would drive them to watch the final version when it aired on TV, guaranteeing high viewership ratings.

However, Debra was displeased and said, “Becky, if you want to do another shoot, let’s just stick to our company’s productions.”

Joining someone else’s set only to be manipulated and overshadowed was just too frustrating.

Charlie was exasperated. “Mom, since when do we own a company?”

“Can’t we just start one?” Debra replied assertively. “We have plenty of money. It’s not like we can only open jewelry stores. If Becky likes it, we can open ten or eight entertainment companies for her.”

Charlie was stunned. He couldn’t believe it. He rubbed his eyes and then reached out to touch Debra. Was this

really his mother? Was he dreaming?

The touch felt real, so it wasn’t a hallucination. This wasn’t a dream. It was reality!

Charlie’s

composure collapsed in an instant. He couldn’t help but complain, “Mom, you’re being so biased. When I wanted to start an entertainment company, you and Dad said you’d break my legs. And now?

“Becky is the family’s treasure, while I’m just a weed, a small cabbage, neglected and forgotten…”

Debra shot him sharply, and Charlie immediately shut his mouth.

But only for a moment. Charlie quickly broke into a smile, feeling incredibly happy. “Mom, Becky is still quite new to the entertainment industry. How about I start the company? I promise that once our company is up and running, all resources will be directed toward her. I guarantee we’ll make her the biggest star in the entire

entertainment world.”