Chapter 5: Storm, Survival, and a Billionaire's Daughter

The next day.

Before setting out, we all filled our bottles and drank our fill.

I made sure everyone had enough, double-checking the filters.

All six of us set out together.

The air was crisp, the ground still damp from the morning dew. We moved as a unit, stronger than before.

Mr. Carter chatted with me. “Autumn, I heard you debuted in a girl group?”

He sounded genuinely curious, not just making small talk.

“Yeah, my dad signed me up. I didn’t want to do it, but he said he’d die if I refused.”

I rolled my eyes, but I could tell he understood.

“The entertainment industry’s tough.”

“Yeah. I’m terrible at singing, dancing, and acting. I’ll quit sooner or later.”

I said it with a laugh, but there was truth behind the joke.

As I made fun of myself, the livestream focused on me.

I could see the comments pouring in—some sympathetic, some surprised.

Harrison sympathized. “I kind of look down on your dad—why force his daughter into showbiz?”

He sounded sincere, and I appreciated it.

I glanced at him in surprise. He’s from the Bay Area, probably doesn’t know my dad. Actually, he usually deals with my dad’s beautiful female agent.

I figured this was my chance to roast my dad. “Sigh, blame my looks. He thought I’d make a fortune in the industry.”

I shrugged, as if it was all just fate.

Mr. Carter mused, “Interest is important. If my daughter didn’t want to be in entertainment, I’d never force her.”

He looked thoughtful, and I could see him glancing at Bailey, maybe imagining his own daughter in my shoes.

The livestream was full of sympathy for me—

Poor Autumn Sinclair, forced into the industry by her family. Maybe all those rumors about her being a diva or having a sugar daddy were false.

The tide was turning. For once, the internet was on my side.

Just as I was painting my dad as the villain, the island weather suddenly changed. Dark clouds gathered overhead as we climbed halfway up the volcano.

The temperature dropped, and the wind picked up. I could smell rain in the air.

“Not good—it’s a squall!” I called.

Bailey was scared. “Autumn, what’s a sea storm?”

Her voice trembled, and I put a hand on her shoulder.

“It’s a sudden, powerful sea squall—caused by pressure swings over the water. It can hit like a tornado.”

The sky darkened, and thunder rumbled in the distance. I could feel the tension rising.

The clouds thickened.

The first drops of rain hit, cold and sharp. We needed shelter, fast.

I shouted at the camera, “Director, we need to stop filming! Everyone, find shelter now!”

The crew looked panicked, but I could see them scrambling to secure the equipment.

Most of the crew was still on the beach. With us were eight cameramen, two medics, and six guests—sixteen people in all.

I did a quick headcount, making sure no one was missing.

Everyone was tense.

“Director, use the drones to scout for caves nearby!”

I could hear the whir of the drones as they took off, searching for safety.

The crew panicked. An expert confirmed that sudden squalls on islands are extremely dangerous.

I could see the fear in everyone’s eyes. This was no longer a game.

Two minutes later, the director radioed back.

“Head northwest and climb three hundred yards—there’s a cave.”

Relief flooded me. We had a chance.

As soon as I heard, I ran, yelling, “Everyone, follow me! Stop filming—this storm can kill!”

The wind was howling, and sand whipped at my face. I pushed forward, urging everyone to keep up.

Everyone realized the danger and ran with me, battling the wind up the steep slope.

Branches snapped, and rocks slid underfoot. I could hear someone crying, but I kept moving.

It was only three hundred yards, but with the wind, it felt like two miles.

My lungs burned, and my legs ached, but I didn’t slow down.

We were all gasping for air, but no one dared fall behind.

I led the way until we found the cave.

It was dark and narrow, but safe from the storm. I waved everyone inside.

“Almost there—let’s go!”

Savannah and Bailey were exhausted, but Harrison and Mr. Carter helped them. Tyler, with his injured leg, fell behind.

I glanced back and saw him struggling. My heart skipped a beat.

I ran back. “Tyler, I’ll carry you!”

He looked at me like I was crazy. “What?”

“Don’t argue—I can do one-handed push-ups, I can carry you.”

He hesitated, but I grabbed his arm. “If you don’t want to die, get on!”

He nodded, and I hoisted him onto my back. Adrenaline made him lighter than air.

I ran with all my strength, reaching the cave just as the black storm hit.

The roar was deafening, but we made it. I set Tyler down, and we collapsed against the wall.

“Don’t just stand there—everyone, huddle together!” I yelled.

We clung to each other, sharing warmth and comfort. The wind howled outside, but inside, we were safe—for now.

As we clung together, the storm roared past. Sand and stones flew, the wind howled, and even hundred-pound rocks were tossed into the air.

I could feel the cave shudder, but it held. We waited, hearts pounding, for the worst to pass.

We all knew that if we hadn’t made it inside, we’d have been blown away like leaves and smashed to pieces.

The reality hit us hard. Survival wasn’t just a game anymore.

That sprint had been life or death.

Tyler gripped my hand tightly. We held each other as the wind raged.

I squeezed back, grateful for the connection.

When it eased, we could finally hear each other.

Mr. Carter shouted, “How long will this last?”

I yelled back, “Probably fifteen minutes—hang in there!”

Fifteen minutes later, the wind died down. The island was silent.

We stepped outside. The clouds parted, the sun shone, as if nothing had happened.

The world looked new, washed clean by the storm. I took a deep breath, feeling alive.

But looking down the mountain, we saw devastation—bushes uprooted, the scent of earth in the air.

The landscape was unrecognizable. We stood in stunned silence.

We all felt lucky to be alive.

No one spoke for a long moment. Then, slowly, we started to smile.

The cameraman’s radio crackled.

“Team Three, what’s your status?”

“Thanks to Autumn Sinclair, everyone’s safe!”

There was a pause, then a dejected reply. “Bring the guests back—the shoot is over. We have over a dozen injured.”

I frowned and grabbed the radio.

“How bad is it?”

“Three seriously injured. The medics have stopped the bleeding, and we’ve called for rescue helicopters, but…”

I knew what that meant—unpredictable weather meant helicopters might not come. But if the injuries were serious, time was critical.

“Director Chen, do we still have comms?”

“The base station survived—we’re good.”

“Can the show phones call out?”

“Yes.”

I checked my phone—still had battery. I quickly dialed a number.

“Hansen, I need your help. I’ll send you my location—fly the family helicopter over. It might be risky.”

“Understood, Miss. If you say so, I’ll go, no matter how dangerous.”

I hung up to find the other guests staring at me.

I shrugged. “Hansen’s my family’s pilot. We don’t have much, but we’ve got money!”

I wanted to explain, but the cameraman, ever professional, was already filming. Since the comms were still up, my feed went straight to the livestream—

Didn’t her dad push her into showbiz for money? How does she have a helicopter?

So she’s not a gold-digger—she’s loaded herself!

Wow, Autumn Sinclair really knows how to flex. Full marks for style.

The comments were coming in so fast, I could barely read them.

An hour later, at my suggestion, we climbed to the summit—easier for Hansen to pick us up.

The hike was steep, but adrenaline kept us moving. I could see the helicopters in the distance, growing closer by the minute.

Half an hour after that, I saw dark specks in the sky.

Uh-oh—looks like Dad’s here.

My stomach did a little flip. I knew he’d come—he always does.

Sure enough, three helicopters approached. Two headed for the beach, one for the summit.

The wind from the blades whipped my hair around, and I shielded my eyes as the doors opened.

A middle-aged man in casual clothes and flip-flops, plus a sharply dressed assistant, got out.

He looked out of place on the mountain, but his presence was commanding.

He marched over and started yelling—not at me, but at the assistant.

“Which genius let my Autumn join this show? Letting her do survival is just asking for trouble!”

His voice echoed off the rocks. The assistant looked ready to faint.

Then he turned to me, all gentle. “Autumn, I heard there were injuries here—you scared your dad half to death.”

He hugged me, and for a second, I was a little kid again.

I raised an eyebrow and introduced him to the others.

“This is my dad—the guy who forced me into showbiz.”

I grinned, watching the realization dawn on everyone’s faces.

Harrison thought he looked familiar. When he realized who he was, he was so excited he stammered.

“You’re… Mr. Sinclair! An honor!”

He shook my dad’s hand, looking like he’d just met his idol.

Word spread, and the guests realized my dad was the biggest name in Hollywood investment. Their attitudes changed instantly.

I saw Bailey’s jaw drop, and even Mr. Carter looked impressed.

I invited everyone onto the helicopter.

Bailey clung to my hand. “Wow, so you’re the entertainment industry’s princess! You hid it so well.”

I tilted my head. “I didn’t hide anything—people just didn’t want to believe it.”

I winked at the camera, enjoying the moment.

Tyler’s eyes sparkled. “Autumn, I’m sticking with you from now on!”

He grinned, and I knew he meant it.

Mr. Carter pretended to cry. “So this is the ‘bad dad’ who forced you into showbiz? That’s not fair!”

He wiped imaginary tears, making everyone laugh.

Well, my secret’s out—no more hiding my connection to the industry’s biggest boss.

I felt lighter, like I’d finally dropped a heavy backpack.

But that’s fine. From now on, nobody can accuse me of plastic surgery, diva antics, or gold-digging.

No matter where I go, I can proudly say—

“No sugar daddy could ever outspend my own dad!”

“I don’t need to be someone else’s trophy—I’m already rich!”

I looked out the window as the helicopter lifted off, the island shrinking below us. For the first time in a long time, I felt free.

And honestly? That’s the real win.