Chapter 3

Vivian Thorne's trial classes were fully booked.

The gym's main studio was packed. Chloe, having secured a spot in the front row, waved at me excitedly.

I stood at the back of the crowd, watching everything with a cold stare.

Vivian didn't have anyone doing strenuous exercises. She simply guided them through some gentle stretches, coupled with what she called "specialized breathwork."

"Relax. Imagine all the excess, bothersome fat in your body, being expelled with every exhale."

Her voice was gentle yet hypnotic, carrying a seductive power.

The clients closed their eyes, looking utterly blissful.

What a ridiculous scene.

If I hadn't experienced it firsthand, I too might have fallen for her deceptive spiel.

I fixated on Vivian Thorne.

I could feel an unseen, viscous energy spreading from her, enveloping the entire studio.

That web began to tighten, drawing something from each client. Finally, all the threads converged in my direction.

It was here.

That invasive, unnatural feeling, like something foreign being forced into me, returned.

My body grew heavy. Breathing became difficult, as if invisible cement was being poured into my veins, weighing down my every limb.

I couldn't just stand there and let it happen.

"Don't believe her, everyone!" I burst forward, pointing at Vivian.

"This isn't fitness! She's harming you! Your fat isn't disappearing; it's being transferred!"

My shout startled everyone awake. They stared at me, bewildered.

Chloe's face flushed crimson. She rushed over, trying to clap her hand over my mouth.

"Cassie, you're crazy! Stop it!"

Vivian Thorne's composure cracked for the first time, but only for a fleeting second.

She quickly regained her poise, walking toward me with a hurt, yet understanding, expression.

"Miss, I completely understand that many traditional fitness coaches might question my new methods."

She turned to the crowd.

"But the results don't lie. Everyone, please step onto the body fat scales now."

The clients, still wary, did as she asked.

The next second, gasps of astonishment erupted.

"Oh my god! I lost three pounds! Just from lying here for an hour?"

"My body fat percentage dropped by a full point! How is that even possible?"

"This is insane! Pure magic!"

Chloe also stepped onto a scale. When she saw the numbers on the screen, she shrieked with excitement.

She turned back to me, her eyes filled with disappointment and anger.

"Cassie! Did you see that? Is *this* the scammer you were talking about?"

I felt utterly cold.

Of course, they had gotten thinner. Because their fat was, at this very moment, inside my body.

My hands trembling, I walked to an empty body fat scale.

On the screen, the numbers spun wildly, finally settling on a figure a full five and a half pounds heavier than I had been that morning.

"Everyone, look," Vivian's voice rang out above me, laced with a feigned pity.

"This young lady's weight… actually increased. I suppose some people are just like that. If they can't achieve something themselves, they can't stand to see others succeed."

"You…" I was shaking with rage.

"How rude, ruining things just because she can't stick to her own diet."

"Exactly. Look at her, she probably just overeats all the time."

"So pathetic, and yet so annoying."

The whispers and judgments stung me deeply.

I looked at Chloe, hoping she would stand up for me, say something.

But she just turned her head away, pulling her new 'newly-slimmed friends' with her, excitedly discussing where they should go to celebrate.

Amidst everyone's laughter and accusations, Vivian walked over to me. She leaned in close, whispering in my ear:

"Garbage belongs in the garbage can."