When the Dead Still Call novel Chapter 17

Chapter 17 GJX

Gianna’s face darkened ominously, resembling a thundercloud on the verge of unleashing a storm.

Damn it all. The livestream comments section was exploding—with praise showered on Amelia, while Gianna herself was being mercilessly mocked as “dumb and petty.”

Her meticulously maintained image was crumbling right before her eyes.

Seriously, what was going on?

Her hands clenched into tight fists, nails digging painfully into her palms as frustration surged through her.

No, she couldn’t let this slide. She had to find a way to turn the tide in her favor.

By the time she returned to the rustic courtyard, the sun was already dipping below the horizon, casting long shadows over the scene.

Everyone hurried to prepare dinner, eat quickly, and then disperse for their free time.

After the meal, Gianna quietly slipped away, slipping into the makeshift dressing room and slamming the door behind her.

Inside, her agent Melissa Dawn was pacing anxiously, her nerves clearly frayed.

“Gianna! What on earth are you doing?” Melissa’s voice was low but sharp. “The chat is tearing you apart! They’re calling you everything—bitch, idiot, drama queen!”

Melissa was on the verge of losing her composure.

Gianna’s carefully cultivated public image had been spotless until now. One single episode, and her reputation was plummeting.

Gianna’s lips curled into a bitter twist. “How was I supposed to know that Amelia could fake it so convincingly? Back home, she was a total waste of space!”

Melissa shook her head, flipping through stats on her tablet with a grim expression. “Complaining won’t help now. Your loyal fans are trying to drown out the hate, but the casual viewers have already turned against you. You need to fix this—quickly.”

“What’s my brother saying about all this?” Gianna asked, desperate for some guidance.

Without her phone, she couldn’t reach him directly, but Marcelo always had a way to stay informed.

“Mr. Nygard’s already talked to the director, but things are spiraling out of control. You’re going to have to find your own way to trip Amelia up,” Melissa advised firmly.

Gianna nodded with determination. “Fine. I’ll keep my eyes peeled.”

Melissa sighed, glancing at the clock. “I can’t hang around here much longer. I’m heading out.” She tossed some snacks and face cream onto the table on her way out, worried Gianna would look wrecked by the time filming wrapped.

Gianna devoured the food quickly, then headed back outside.

Hmph. She wasn’t about to let herself suffer like the others.

Still, she needed a plan—and fast—to deal with Amelia.

***

Back at the Curran Villa, Jeremy sat in his study, a laptop open before him.

The live broadcast of Heiress Bootcamp streamed across the screen.

Since Amelia had joined the show, she had all but vanished from his daily life.

That absence gnawed at him, so this livestream was his only way to keep tabs.

12:38 PM P P.

And Amelia hadn’t disappointed.

The camera caught her crouched in the yard, coaxing a fire to life. Jeremy casually dropped twenty gala gifts into the stream.

Gianna pressed her lips tightly together. She refused to let that happen.

Once this show ended, she was determined to mend things with Vincent.

Whatever Amelia wanted, Gianna would take instead. Always.

***

The program continued.

The producers announced the day’s challenge: the contestants had to visit the village fish market and sell the fishermen’s fresh morning catch. The person who earned the most money would win first pick of dinner ingredients—live seafood.

“Sell fish?” Gianna wrinkled her nose in disgust, muttering under her breath, “What filthy work.”

But as soon as the cameras turned on her, she plastered a sugary smile across her face. “I’m so excited! I’ve never done anything like this before!”

The chat pounced instantly.

“Didn’t she just look disgusted?”

“She flips moods faster than a light switch.”

“Girl reeks of fake.”

Everyone disliked the idea, but only Gianna had let it slip openly.

12:38 PM p p

The Heiress They Couldn’t Break