Rainbow Media has no intention of endorsing Sena despite inviting her to join the reality show, going as far as giving the privilege that was supposed to be hers to the other cast. 

But not everything goes according to plan. 

Several months passed since Kalliste’s perfume ad swept the televisions and internet, the second one from the historic fashion house was released.

[I just got out of bed but I think I’m still dreaming. Kalliste did it again! It’s twice this year, not once every other year.]

[No, it’s actually three!]

[THREE?!]

[This perfume is a set! I’ve heard it from a cousin working as an assistant in Country F.] 

[The war for the new fragrance is on. Sisters, Kalliste will only release fifty bottles in each store worldwide!]

[Thank goodness I did not hesitate, I already booked 2 for myself and my mother!]

With the proliferation of information technology, even ordinary households are now aware of the world’s most exclusive brands. Along with this, Sena’s name is slowly emerging and becoming known even to those who rarely read the business section. 

As for society’s upper crust, seeing that another good thing has come out has begun a hot pursuit. In just two days, the newly introduced perfume has gone out of stock and reservations are still coming. 

Aside from the brand itself, Sena’s commercial value is again proven to be outstanding. Just as the ad caught fire, her pictures attending the Royal Gem exhibition were posted on several papers. Be it by luck or coincidence, the combination of the two began another heated discussion. 

[The model got me hooked. I find her very familiar since the first ad.]  

[Sister, I like her dress. I also want a custom made one from a different design.]

[I rummaged through several social networking platforms and could only return to Kalliste’s official page to continue staring because I cannot find her.]

[What’s the hype over a rookie model?]

Since Sena is becoming known the lack of substantial information about her became a feast for true and false news. Her dark history was naturally dug out and distorted to her disadvantage. Rumours have it that she dropped out of school and did not receive any certificate at all. Some say her mother bought her degree. Others claim that everything in her profile was fake, that she had long been evicted from her former house and is now wandering around without support.

Sena tucked her legs under her enjoying the soft sunshine on the balcony. She forked a sliced peach from a bowl carefully delivering it to her mouth and read through hundreds of comments from the video. April came holding the freshly baked banana bread and saw her slouching lazily, she patted her back for a reminder. 

Smelling the scent of food, Sena put her phone down and pinched a large piece for her to eat. It was soft and warm rolling on her tongue, the sweetness was just right making her squint in delight.

“Do we have chocolate frosting?”

April could have made one but remembering Apple’s reminder to help her control her addiction to ‘food’ she decided against it. 

With banana bread in her mouth, Sena looked at her phone once again. These internet trolls are quite brainy to think of many kinds of scenarios. For example calling her shamelessly riding on her half-sister’s fame, slandering her as useless and pathetic, no talents and all kinds of foul and nasty words even an actual criminal would look much adorable compared to her. 

Regarding this, April felt anxious for her, “These kinds of posts need to be ignored.” 

How could they smear her lovely boss so bad?! Are these people sick in the head?

“I’m not bothered,” Sena said with a shrug. “Cyber bullies cannot physically hurt you, they use every ugly vocabulary they can think of to emotionally attack you and if you cannot handle it, it’s better to just stay away from the internet to relieve the burden.”

She isn’t a shrink to understand where all this angst came from. Perhaps they have issues of their own that are too hard to handle so they find somewhere else to vent then inadvertently notice her and thought, she might be a good outlet. A temporary respite so they can distract themselves from their misery and feel somewhat superior in online tai chi using their ten jerky fingers. 

As for where these rumours came from, she did not have to break her head thinking that these were staged by Sophie, Asha and Zhang Min. Including Mrs Luz as well. The usernames they used were the same exactly as they had in her previous life. For these clowns, adding more thorns on her path was enough to vent the suffocation they felt.

Some time ago, Sophie went ahead swallowing her pride and invited her for another ‘get together. She knew they wouldn’t stop pestering her unless she did something about it. So instead of agreeing to their invite, she made up an entirely different scenario saying all her money was spent and she is now a poor person.

“Or else why do you think I would stay in the office all day and not come out to have fun?” She said dramatically. 

April, who was silently eating watermelon on the side, choked. Boss can act if the situation calls for it. 

“Sophie, you know I’m alone now. My father doesn't care about me and even went as far as to cut off my support. I need to work hard to eat otherwise I will starve. I blame myself for being too careless, if I had spent money wisely I wouldn’t be in this state now.” She added sadly, squeezing out a few drops of tears but to her dismay, nothing came out. 

The person on the other side of the phone was suspicious. Is what she’s saying true? Is Sena really broke? Sophie was dizzy. 

Here she was trying to see if this idiot could let her borrow her VIP card in Club Amber. The management only issues the privilege for people who can spend five figures a night! She promised her friends that she would take them to hang out in a nice place. As everyone knows, Club Amber is the hub founded by a well-to-do young man from an incredible background. Its patrons would not be too shabby either. 

Sophie is in a hurry. Her boyfriend suddenly disappeared without a word so she needed to find another person who could bring her to the club and she eventually remembered Sena. Thankfully despite her boyfriend leaving, he gave her money to spend. It's just that it wasn’t enough to enter the club.  

Sena had more or less had an idea what she was planning and continued with the drama, “My house is gone, the money I was left with is spent and I am having trouble organizing my life. I dare not let big brother know because— because I don’t want them to worry about me…”

Sophie on the other line paused then, a slow satisfied smirk appeared on her face. Ah, what an idiot, no wonder she’s broke.

If she ran to Leo all her problems could have been solved. Although they are not blood-related, Sophie is sure that Leonard Tang would never allow Sena to fall in this state. What is the use of having a wealthy big brother if she did not take advantage of it? So much potential is wasted…  

However, that was only her speculation and she was unaware that at this moment she was being cued. 

“Sophie, you treat me as a friend, right?”

Sophie would like to say no if not for that card she needed. “Hey, don’t feel bad. You're working excellently, once you get your commission you will come out of this mess. I just know you can do it.”

“Thank you for your support. I’m embarrassed to tell my big brother about this...”

Idiot. Leo is your only solution to— Sophie stopped short and thought of something. 

“If you’re in a very bad situation, I can help you a little bit before your big brother finds out.” She said softly, but her heart was beating fast as a strange idea formed in her mind.  

“No, no, I dare not.” Sena was frantic but she was smiling the devil’s smile on the other line. 

She was waiting for this. 

“It’s alright, we’re friends after all. If I can help you financially, just tell me.”

“This…” Sena breathed, seemingly embarrassed. “I know you’re concerned about me but I also know that you only have little savings yourself.”

Sophie’s smile cracked. Is this alluding to her being poor?! 

She tried not to feel impatient, this is a huge advantage to her after all. Imagine once she helped the now ‘poor’ Sena, she will tell Leo that it was her who helped during this dire period. Sena will praise her in front of him just like before and eventually shake off the bad impression. The previous mess will then be wiped clean. This is an excellent opportunity!

Her heart trembled. Leo… Leo, soon you will look at me. 

Her eyes narrowed obsessively, as to how to kick that bitch Linda, she will think about it once she finds a more reliable backer. 

“I, I need two million at most.” Sena quoted hesitantly.

Sophie sneered, she could not imagine spending this amount of money before meeting her but after getting used to her generosity she realized that this amount is merely pocket change for them. Yang left her three million before taking off. It was a large sum if she spent it wisely. Not even the mayor’s son gave her this much allowance when she was escorting him but will Sophie be frugal? Of course not! She likes to live in extreme comfort despite being unable to support it. 

“Alright, I will send you two million in a while. Don’t worry about it.”

After that brief tasteless talk, Sena hung up. Later she received the transfer and she laughed so hard until her jaws cramped. 

Ahh, such a joy earning money without so much labor. 

All the things she spent on these people before are now considered returned and there is no need to entertain them in the future. 

Sophie must have begun to suspect— or maybe not but that does not prevent her from poking Sena when she feels like it. 

And she was right, Sophie did find her face in the ad unpleasant. The rumors undoubtedly came from her as well. 

[I don’t recognize this small model. She doesn’t deserve Kalliste, there are people much better than her.]

[What small model? Kalliste never chooses just about anyone.]

[Maybe this is the first one. I’m not familiar with her.]

Not everyone is completely blind though. 

[Have you read a magazine or a newspaper lately? I suggest you buy one!] 

[Another overpriced product showing places none of the ordinary people could go. It’s too exaggerated.]

[There is a reason why it’s called ‘luxury’. Only a few can afford them so don’t feel bad.] 

[Ah, so she’s rich. Hahaha someone who has more money to buy a fake career.]

[Above opinion doesn’t affect Kalliste’s overwhelming sales. You have to admit it, Sena sells!]

Following that heat, Kalliste decisively released the 35sec behind the scenes video of the ad teasing people more and more. Sena had no idea about it because April already dragged her into the wellness centre below for a workout after she wiped out a whole banana bread, a cheesecake and strawberry smoothie. 

She needs to keep up in shape! 

Meanwhile, Sophie, who opened her laptop to stalk her, watched the ad with an indescribable expression. It can be said that she knew Sena ever since her family transferred to the Capital City. She watched her grow from a spoiled little princess until finally to that miserable waif. However, just when she thought she had completely had the puppet on her string, she bounced back and escaped. She felt cold for some reason. 

Was everything just pretend? Did she do it on purpose? 

Impossible, Sena had no idea she had been carefully instigating her. 

But what about this ad now? How much did she not know about her?! 

Looking at it again made Sophie realize that she may not have known her deeply at all. She tried hard to gain her trust so that she could get close to Leonard Tang. She knew that her only way to break through between the couple was Sena but all her effort fell short because of a small mistake. 

Sophie pinched the pink pillow under her and began tearing it to shreds. Soon the room was filled with torn white fluffs and other broken things. 

In Kalliste’s official site, the visitors surged to find more juice and were then led to the ad six years ago where a girl in a wispy blue dress walks along the two-kilometre white sand in slow motion before turning back and smiling at the camera. 

[I remember this ad, I was still in senior high school at that time and most of our male classmates were talking about her nonstop.]

[Me too, my brother bought me a bottle of For You because I couldn’t stop watching it.] 

[Ahh, isn't this Sena Erde. The real estate broker!] 

[Broker? Are you sure she’s not a model?]

[Very sure, she was awarded three times and is quite known in their circle as the youngest broker. Go to Diamond Realtor's official page, see the link below. Look at her sales record and you’ll end up crying.]

[Comrade, are you sure you’re not here to advertise?]

[Lies! Maybe they just look alike. It can’t be her!]

[I know Sena Erde is Maya’s half-sister but they are nothing alike. She’s incomparable to Maya because she’s rude and ugly.]

Mrs Luz who was also keeping up with the trend smiled in satisfaction, the people she paid to praise her daughter are worth the money but her gloat did not last soon. 

[Ha, found it! She really does sales.]

Netizens compared the two’s screenshots and were dumbfounded. It really is! Six years ago, her face was very young and tender like a new bud kissed by morning dew. It doesn’t have the mature elegance and allure of her adult self but rather a sunshine-like innocence. 

[Did someone say ugly? Furthermore, if you really think so, I’m sure she’s still way better looking than you.]

[Hahaha, ugly, which part? I want to see it too. Brain impaired people nowadays are getting worse. You people need to see a doctor.]    

[So she really is Sena? The one they compared to Maya before?]

Mrs Luz shot up from the couch and gripped her phone tightly. With her little experience with the online catfights, this amount of taunting was too much for her to bear. 

How dare they?! Her Maya is the best! Her most perfect angel. Hurriedly, she logged in to her secret account to clap back those who questioned her daughter. 

YoungMadam: [Maya is so much better. She is the daughter of a large company. Who is Sena by the way?]

Someone rebuked her, [We know Maya is rich. People kept harping about it as if they were afraid that people would forget she has money. It’s getting tiring!]

[Honestly, her fans clamoring about her being the daughter of this and that sounds vulgar and tacky.]

[I don’t think Maya is nearly as elegant and beautiful as her fans see her. They also keep hyping about her good things while low-key making Sena look like garbage. Such a lowly tactic.]  

[No doubt! Don’t be blinded by social media my friend, lies are usually just being manipulated by some to become truths.]

Mrs Luz bit her collagen-filled mouth and kicked her favourite designer sofa. She could not fight these netizens! She angrily hurled the phone into the wall scaring the maids who were cleaning nearby. 

[Wow, so she’s a model and an entrepreneur at that age? She could have just stayed in sales and earned millions. I suddenly find my life shabby.] 

#KallisteGoddess slowly climbed from the tenth place in the hot search to No. 1 it then slowed down at No. 2. 

Looking through all this did not make Sena twitch. There were praises and mocking voices springing intermittently. She knew that there is a love-hate relationship between the audience and a new face, as well as competitors especially if you rise in ranking at the speed of a bullet.   

Spurred by curiosity people are now looking for her and launched an intensive search on social networking sites. #FindingKallisteBaby

Linda, who was reading the comments, laughed out loud. This has been going for three days now. 

“It looks like not only your international fans are interested in your biography, the domestic audience is also beginning to find out more about you. Thanks to Maya’s repeated attacks, she unknowingly pushed you into the limelight. If this goes on, it won’t be long until you are stalked by paparazzi once again.”

“What biography? Save that for celebrities. I’m a normal working person.” Sena grimaced, unwrapping the roasted chicken she bought from Linda’s favourite rotisserie. 

It was Saturday, she gave April a rest while she happily dragged her lazy self up to the couple’s home for a chat. The plate of warm succulent chicken placed on the centre table gave off an alluring scent hooking the worms inside Linda’s stomach. 

So as she talked, she twisted a wing and began to gnaw, “Well, baby girl if it gets truly too bothersome the bodyguards the three old men sent won’t stand idly by either. Thankfully Paragon’s security and privacy are all top-notch, not just about anyone can squat and peep in the vicinity.”  

Yes, thankfully. 

Linda then broached another subject while licking and chewing on the meat. “What is up with you and those girls with Sophie? You have cleanly broken off with them?”  

Sena shrugged indifferently. “Already did.” 

She was also hungry and started eating as well.    

“About time. You see the mess they are into now? It was nasty.” 

Speaking of Sophie’s friends. After the embezzlement case of Asha and Zhang Min’s fathers, they are tangled in another round of gossip. Surprisingly, it was about the arrest of illegal drag racers prancing around the mountainside. The authorities finally gathered enough evidence to take them down as the mayor slowly lost his backers...