Chapter 3

The reality show soon began filming.

Before choosing whose partner to team up with, the production team arranged a week-long cohabitation period to help them make their choices later.

Liam always stayed by my side. Even during group dinners arranged for all the guests, he maintained a respectful distance from any other female guests sitting next to him.

Serena was repeatedly arranged to sit beside Liam, but he would simply get up and leave.

The crew tried to persuade him:

“This is Love Swap, Mr. Miller, you have to follow the rules.”

“I’ll cover any penalties.”

Liam dropped those words and walked away.

Serena bit her lip, her eyes red-rimmed, watching him walk towards my room.

Noah Hayes, standing nearby, cast a glance at his fiancée.

His eyes held complex emotions.

Serena stopped clinging to Liam.

Because after watching a few live broadcasts, public opinion on her took a sharp turn:

【Mr. Miller said no, so why is she still pushing? Is she really like that netizen said, she’s struggled enough in the industry and is now envious of Jade having a powerful husband?】

【LOL, isn’t she already clinging to Noah Hayes?】

【How could Noah, that ice king, compare to the rush of young love that could give her a better marriage?】

As if to reinforce this public sentiment, the production team’s treatment of Serena declined.

Her meals were downgraded several times, and her screen time was fleeting.

One evening, after dinner, as Liam and I were taking a stroll, she dramatically stumbled out of her room, wrapped in just a thin shirt.

She fell right at Liam’s feet.

The mid-winter chill had her skin red, her nose red, making the tears in her eyes look genuinely pitiful.

“Mr. Miller! Save me! I…”

She instinctively grabbed Liam’s hand.

Seeing me, her hand stiffened. She quickly let go and stumbled back two steps:

“I… I didn’t mean it like that, Ms. Jade, please don’t misunderstand, I won’t dare to again…”

She choked up, covered her mouth, and turned to flee.

Her bare footprints marked the snow.

I was stunned.

Her performance was so flawless that by the time I processed it, it looked as if I had ordered someone to bully her.

She instinctively sought help from Liam but then saw me, the “culprit”…

But, given Noah's intense gaze for Serena, how could he possibly let her suffer?

I smiled, a hint of sarcasm on my lips.

I turned to observe Liam’s expression.

His face was unreadable.

“I heard there’s a public outcry against her online. The production team signed a contract so they can’t kick her out, so they’ve just started collectively ostracizing her.”

I looked at Liam.

He wrapped an arm around my waist, simply mumbling, “Hmm.”

That night, before bed, I deliberately asked him: “Do you believe Serena is being bullied?”

He looked out at the snowy night sky, letting me rest my head on his arm. “No.”

I smiled.

After all, Noah was also an investor in the show.

I understood that much, and as a businessman, Liam should understand it even better.

The next day, for the partner selection segment, I put on beautiful makeup and appeared hand-in-hand with Liam.

Serena’s eyes were red, as if she had been crying for a long time.

She had never held hands with Noah on camera.

Noah stood behind her, arms crossed, watching.

His eyes showed deep displeasure.

The director’s camera focused on Liam, and the comments went wild with laughter:

【Is this even a choice? Who doesn’t know Mr. Miller is totally devoted to his wife?】

【To be honest, I didn't come for Love Swap, I came to watch Mr. Miller and Ms. Jade’s sweet romance.】

“I choose…”

Liam’s hand slackened.

I instinctively reached to tighten my grip, but he directly pushed my hand away:

“Serena.”

Serena, her eyes red, suddenly looked up, her face filled with disbelief.

The comments were a sea of question marks.

I also stared at Liam in shock.

But he simply walked to Serena’s side.