The Scorned Heiress: No More Mercy novel Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Chapter 26

“This show is insane! It’s better than a prime-time drama!”

The director mops his sweating forehead, the raw tension completely surpassing his script. He glances at the live metrics-the viewer count has shattered the network’s all-time record, and the engagement rate is off the charts.

“Alright, alright, task completed. Let’s move on to dinner,” the director interjects, desperate to regain control. “Tara, you have first pick of the ingredients.”

Tara ignores the ongoing high-school drama and walks straight to the makeshift pantry. She swiftly ties an apron around her waist and selects a fresh cut of pork and a variety of vegetables. The kitchen setup is brutal-a traditional, old-fashioned stone stove that requires manually building a

wood fire.

The other women stand around in a panicked circle, utterly clueless. Only Tina steps forward. She crouches down and offers Tara a handful of dry kindling. “Know how to start a fire?”

Tara takes the kindling, a confident smirk playing on her lips. “Watch and learn.”

She masterfully loosens the dry grass, strikes a single match, and gently coaxes the flame to life inside the hearth. She meticulously stacks the twigs, feeds the fire, and within moments, a roaring blaze crackles to life. The process is so effortlessly fluid that the entire cast and crew stare in stunned silence.

The chat goes wild:

“Her fire-starting skills are pro-level!”

“Seriously, what did Tara go through? She’s a survival expert!”

“She is so mysterious, I’m kind of obsessed.”

Standing in the shadows, Jade digs her nails so hard into her palms they leave deep, angry crescents. She wanted Tara to humiliate herself, but instead, Tara is the absolute star of the

broadcast.

Before long, a mouthwatering aroma fills the damp air. The cast is practically drooling. Tara has effortlessly whipped up a feast.

Ana swallows hard, all her previous hostility vanishing. “That smells incredible. Tara, I had no idea you could cook like this.”

Amanda inches closer, her eyes locked on the food. “Can we try some?”

Tara gives a curt nod. “Go ahead.”

They snatch up forks, spear pieces of the glistening pork, and take a bite. Their eyes blow wide open.

“Oh my god! This is unbelievable!” Ana gasps.

Amanda nods frantically. “This tastes better than the executive chef back home!”

The internet is losing its mind:

1/2

20:07

Chapter 26

“Wait, didn’t Ana and Amanda hate her five minutes ago?”

“The fastest reversal in television history!”

“Lmao Jade looks livid!”

“In the face of incredible food, there are no enemies!”

Jade stands frozen, her face a storm of jealousy and rage. She stares down at her pathetic bowl of plain rice and radishes, then at the royal feast Tara prepared. It is maddening. Forcing a trembling, innocent smile, she steps forward. “Tara, your cooking is amazing. Could you teach me?”

Tara doesn’t even look up from her plate. “I’m busy.”

Jade’s eyes instantly flood with tears, her head bowing in pure submission. “Are you mad at me? I don’t know what I did wrong…”

The other women aggressively suppress the urge to roll their eyes. How long is she going to keep this act up? One day in the woods is all it took to expose her two-faced personality.

The chat remains violently divided:

“Tara is such a bitch! Her sister is asking nicely and she shuts her down!”

“Wake up, people! Jade is manipulating the camera!”

“Seriously, she is so fake it hurts.”

The director watches the skyrocketing engagement numbers and practically dances in his chair. This episode is going to make television history.