Chapter 5: Sinking or Swimming

This time, the segment was a pool game.

Everyone had to swim to the other side and grab a clue card. Three rounds in total, fastest time wins a prize.

First round: co-ed. Autumn and I started together.

At the whistle, everyone went all out.

I’d trained for a water scene for two months, and swimming became a hobby. I reached the other side and grabbed the card, beating the second place by several seconds.

Jordan was second, just a second behind me.

“Maddie, I didn’t know you were such a good swimmer.”

I replied, “I practice sometimes.”

Seeing my interest, Jordan invited me to his friend’s swim club.

I smiled and declined:

“No thanks. If someone finds out, he’ll get jealous.”

Jordan was surprised, but seeing I really wasn’t interested, didn’t push.

He joked, “Guess I’d better not get too close, or he’ll come after me.”

Honestly, Tyler probably would.

I’d been out of the pool for ages before Autumn finally dragged herself out, collapsing into a male guest’s arms, looking pitiful.

With the comparison, some viewers started to become my fans:

[Did you see her abs? Madison must be super disciplined. Honestly, I think she’s awesome—am I crazy?]

[Me too! She’s just a little prettier, cooks better, works harder, swims cooler—what’s not to like? Okay, I admit it, I’m a fan now! Go Maddie!]

[With this comparison, Autumn seems so weak. Didn’t she get famous for a swimming scene? Was it a double?]

[Don’t pit them against each other. Madison’s fans are so toxic.]

The comments started another battle. The director really knew how to stir up drama—whenever Autumn and I were together, it drew attention.

Second round: girls’ race. All the female guests competed for the clue card.

I got ready. At the whistle, I surged forward.

Again, I was way ahead—no surprise I’d be first.

I powered through the obstacles and was about to reach the finish when suddenly, I felt something drag me down.

Water flooded my nose and eyes.

I turned—Autumn was pulling me under.

The obstacles hid her dirty tricks well.

From the outside, it just looked like I slowed down, as if I’d tripped on a prop. No one could see what Autumn was doing.

She’d picked the perfect spot to do something shady.

Autumn clung to my leg, then swam over and pressed her body on top of mine. When I tried to surface, she pulled me under again. It was suffocating.

I glared at her in warning, but she just smirked and whispered:

“Madison, you want the spotlight? Not if I can help it!”

She tried to drag me down again. I snapped, kicked her several feet away, and before she could react, I grabbed her hair and shoved her underwater.

All my pent-up anger finally erupted:

“Can’t live without causing trouble, can you?

“Will you die if you stop competing with me?

“If you love making a scene in the water, then stay there!”

I dragged her down just like she did to me, careful not to actually drown her.

Everything she did to me—I gave right back!

Everyone—guests and viewers alike—was stunned.

Autumn flailed in the water, looking like a drowned rat.

She was genuinely scared, crying for help:

“Help! Ugh, help me… help… Madison’s gone crazy, help!”

The director stopped the game.

When Autumn was pulled out, she kept glancing at me in fear.

The other guests, not knowing what happened, tried to comfort her:

“Autumn, are you okay? Why did your sister do that? She seemed to snap.”

Autumn, trembling, answered a female guest:

“She’s just mad because Tyler gave gifts to the crew this morning. It’s my fault, I shouldn’t have been so high-profile.”

The guest was indignant:

“That’s it? Tyler caring for his fiancée isn’t wrong. Why is Madison so jealous of her own sister? So petty.”

Their conversation was caught on camera, and the live audience tore into me, calling me vicious.

But all I did was give Autumn a taste of her own medicine.

And she was really out for blood with me.

When it comes to scheming, I’m no match for her.

The guests and viewers all sympathized with Autumn.

She wiped her tears, acting all understanding:

“It’s okay, my sister’s always like this. I’m used to it at home.”

Her eyes reddened even more.

“Hey, Autumn, what happened to your arm?”

A female guest gasped. Autumn, feigning fear, hid her arm and looked at me, hesitant:

“No, it’s nothing to do with my sister. I just hurt myself…”

With that, the audience was even less convinced:

[My god, has Autumn been abused at home all along? Poor thing.]

[Madison’s character is so bad, no wonder she’s a nobody.]

[Someone that abusive shouldn’t be in showbiz. Madison should just quit!]

[Quit! Quit! Quit!]

The recording was halted, and the hate poured in.

Some of Autumn’s extreme fans found my address and sent me creepy packages.

Once, someone even attacked me with a knife.

I got my arm cut.

After leaving the hospital, my estranged father called.

I thought he was finally showing some concern, but as soon as I picked up, he started yelling:

“Madison, get home and apologize to your sister! You’re just like your mother—can’t stand Autumn. How did I end up with a daughter like you?

“You’re so vicious, bullying your own sister. Why didn’t those haters just stab you to death?

“Apologize and announce you’re quitting showbiz, and I’ll let it go. Otherwise, you’re dead to me!

“Say something! Cat got your tongue? I told you to talk!”

His tirade left me numb.

Years ago, he’d sided with Autumn’s mom and cursed out my own mother like this.

My mom’s postpartum depression and suicide were all thanks to my heartless father.

He drove my mom to her death, and now he was trying to break me. He wanted us to surrender.

But this time, I wouldn’t be weak like my mother.

I took a deep breath, calmed myself. Never try to win back a man who’s stopped caring.

If he never acted like a father, I don’t need to treat him like family.

I said quietly:

“What if I don’t?”

On the other end, Samuel Rivera was furious:

“You’ve got guts. Fine, from now on, you’re dead to the Rivera family! We’re done—don’t come crawling to me when you need something!”

He hung up.

Moments later, he posted an official statement cutting ties with me, listing all sorts of legal and financial disclaimers. He typed it up so fast, I wondered if he’d been waiting for this moment.