Chapter 2 09:20 4 With our guests confirmed , Isabelle and I were sent to our cooking stations to write out our menus . I quietly selected my ingredients while Isabelle chatted animatedly with the host . After a few minutes of flattery , she finally revealed her guest's identity . " It's Kardan , the head designer for E'S . " She then looked directly into the camera . " He's a dear friend of ours - mine and Sebastian's . He designs many of our custom pieces . " The chat went into overdrive . [ Live Chat : I heard E`S is the Knight family's personal brand ! Sebastian has worn their stuff on magazine covers ! ] [Live Chat : " Sebastian . " OMG , that's so cute and familiar ! ] 【 Live Chat : She must have been with him for ages . Our Isabelle is like the matriarch of a powerful clan . 】 I glanced over at Isabelle , her smug expression starting to get under my skin . E'S , the brand she was the face of , was indeed one of Knight Industries ' subsidiaries . But the true founder wasn't Kardan . It was Master Winst- on , a legendary tailor who had been creating bespoke suits for the Knight family for decades . His craftsmanship was so exquisite that the fam- ily had given him the seed money to start his own brand . Kardan was just his son . Sebastian had told me once that Kardan's real name was Kevin , but he hated it , preferring his more exotic - sounding professional name . The chat was buzzing . After engaging with the comments , the host finally turned her attention back to me , the forgotten Z - lister . By now , I und- erstood the show's formula . They were setting me up as Isabelle's pathetic foil , creating a stark contrast to generate drama and drive engage- ment . " Ivy , " the host said with a saccharine smile , " since you couldn't get ahold of Mr. Knight , have you managed to invite anyone else ? " She walked over to my station , pretending to be helpful . " If you don't have any friends in the industry , you can always invite family , you know . " Her pointed comment sent the chat into another spiral of mockery . [ Live Chat : She has no friends , lol . ) [ Live Chat : She really tried to invite the Prince and got shut down . Now she has no one . ] [ Live Chat : What kind of A - list friends would a Z - lister have anyway ? Probably just some randos ... ] I calmly sliced the top off a tomato , not even bothering to look up . " Who said I didn't get him to come ? " The host froze , stunned . She glanced back at the director , probably thinking this was some pre - planned twist . She decided to play along . " So , Mr. Knight is really coming to the studio ? " " You'll know soon enough , won't you ? " I looked up and gave her a sweet smile . The host's face was a mask of gleeful anticipation , while Isabelle shot me a look of pure fury . " Honesty is a virtue , " she said , her voice dripping with ice . " I suggest you try acquiring it . " The chat was , predictably , losing its mind . [ Live Chat : Is this girl for real ? Is she addicted to the clout ? ] [ Live Chat : Isabelle literally said he was in a meeting ! What is wrong with Ivy ? 】 [ Live Chat : Ugh , I can't with this poser ! She is the most cringe person evert 】 I watched the flood of hate for a moment , feeling a little weary , and went back to chopping vegetables . My silence only seemed to embolden them . [ Live Chat : Isabelle looks so pissed . ] 【 Live Chat : Isabelle should just text Seb and have him come down here and put this wannabe in her place ! ] I ignored the comments and Isabelle's fuming . In half an hour , tops , Sebastian would be here . Then everyone would see who was putting who 1/6 09:20 09:20 Chapter 2 in their place . I focused on my cooking . Tomatoes diced , beef brisket seared , aromatics sizzling in the pan . Halfway through , the host made a " surprising " discovery . " Oh , my ! It seems both Isabelle and Ivy are making the same dish ! What a coincidence ! " Isabelle glared at the camera . " Beef and tomato stew is Sebastian's favorite dish , " she said coolly . " And it happens to be my specialty . " The implication was clear : I was copying her . 5 It was true that Sebastian loved beef and tomato stew . It was the first dish I ever learned to cook . The first time I made it for him three years ago , he posted a picture of it online , captioning it " The best thing I've ever eaten . " But in three years , my skills had improved considerably . Now , he also had a favorite sweet and sour pork , a favorite honey - glazed salmon , and a favorite crispy garlic - parmesan potatoes . [ Live Chat : She's such a copycat ! I hate her ! ] [ Live Chat : I'm actually getting sick . Is she trying to be a homewrecker ? ] [ Live Chat : It's just the same dish , guys . Calm down ... ] The few voices defending me were instantly swallowed by the tide of hate . The screen was a solid block of text from Isabelle's fans attacking me . None of these people knew anything , yet a few carefully chosen words were enough to turn them into a digital lynch mob . They acted as if they'd personally witnessed Isabelle and Sebastian's epic love story . Just as the aroma of my stew began to fill the studio , Kardan arrived . He was clearly dressed for the occasion , decked out head - to - toe in E'S's new spring collection . " Kardan , so good to see you , " Isabelle greeted him with a dazzling smile . He was about to respond when his eyes landed on me , quietly tending to my pot of stew . He immediately froze , leaving Isabelle hanging . He stood awkwardly to the side , looking like he wanted to approach but didn't dare interrupt my cooking . I gave him a quick smile before turning my attention back to the stew . Sebastian was a picky eater . The tomatoes couldn't be too mushy , and the balance of sweet and sour had to be perfect . He'd eat it anyway if it wasn't , bless his heart , but a man who would ditch his father's annual board meeting to come defend my honor deserved nothing less than the perfect pot of beef stew . As time ticked by , the chat's mockery intensified . [ Live Chat : What a joke . She's about to get so embarrassed . ) [ Live Chat : At least our Isabelle could invite a famous designer . This nobody will probably have her mom show up . 】 [ Live Chat : The audacity to even think about the Prince . Pathetic . ] The stew bubbled gently , its rich scent wafting through the air . The host , drawn by the smell , finally remembered I existed . " Ivy , your guest still isn't here ? " she asked , eyeing my pot hungrily . " If no one shows up , I guess we'll just have to help you eat all this delicious stew . " The words had barely left her mouth when a commotion erupted just off - set . A moment later , a figure in a tailored suit strode into view , Every camera in the studio swiveled to face him . He was dressed in a sharp , formal suit that made him look impossibly handsome - broad shoulders , narrow waist , long legs , like a living statue carved to the golden ratio . The camera zoomed in on his face . Strong , chiseled features , so perfect they were almost intimidating . His neutral expression gave him an air of cool detachment , the easy confidence of a man who was used to being worshipped. The live chat simply ceased to function , replaced by a single , repeating mantra : [ Live Chat : HOLY S ** T IT'S REALLY HIM ! ] [ Live Chat : AHHHHHHH HE'S SO HOT ! ] 2/6 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!