Among the trending topics, the one about Renee Morgan quitting the show at the last minute shot to the top, even surpassing Miles Yates' popularity in just a few minutes and claiming the #1 trend.
Netizens were fiercely debating under several trending posts.
[Why did she suddenly quit? Did something shady happen behind the scenes?]
[Everyone go look at the other trending post—she sang a song at Miles Yates' birthday, slept with the Best Actor, then thought she was suddenly hot stuff and didn't want to film anymore. Typical.]
[Miles Yates is good-looking, I hear he's from a rich family too. If a newbie like Renee Morgan hooks a golden bachelor, not wanting to continue filming is normal. I heard this show is super tough; after joining the military unit, it's all bootcamp and competitions, even most of the guys can't make it through to the end...]
The hashtags kept climbing in popularity, leaving the production team baffled. Renee Morgan quit? Why were they hearing this for the first time?
The director checked the trending list, then sent someone to ask Renee Morgan about it. Renee looked completely confused at the assistant: "What? Aren't we just waiting here to get on the bus? Who said I quit?"
The assistant: "..."
The assistant sensed something was off. Right now the PDs were all waiting at the main entrance, about to film after everyone had gathered and got on the bus.
The assistant hurried over to the director.
After hearing the assistant's update, the director immediately smelled drama.
Just as the trending topic kept soaring, the show's live broadcast suddenly started.
Netizens swarmed the livestream. Among them were shadow accounts that Wendy Aldridge had paid for, who went nuts spamming the chat and cursing out Renee Morgan as a slut, saying she joined the show to hook a sugar daddy, and that Actor Yates must be blind to fall for some assembly-line escort like her.
But there were plenty of regular netizens just there for gossip, all crowding in, nonstop asking:
[Is the production team not going to say something? Did Renee Morgan really quit?]
[Yeah, why isn't Renee filming? The show should give a statement, right?]
[Sigh, I just started stanning my idol last night, and the persona has already collapsed.]
The haters quickly followed suit, "exposing" Renee Morgan's so-called dark past. The entire stream chat was chaos, while onlookers eagerly watched the barrage of comments and munched on the drama.
The director was glued to the livestream. When the net quarreling reached its peak, he gestured for the PD to turn the camera on Renee Morgan.
Renee was sitting at the gathering spot—on the lobby sofa of the hotel, waiting—with her suitcase in front of her, hair in a high ponytail, chatting to Lynn Miller. When the PD's camera suddenly came over, she looked a bit puzzled, "Aren't they supposed to start filming after we get on the bus? Why are they rolling now?"
Under the HD lens, Renee's shock was written all over her face.
The stream chat instantly exploded with question marks:
[Renee Morgan? Renee Morgan? That's Renee, right? Did I see that correctly?]
[Looks like they're waiting for others—maybe waiting for the rest of the team to go into the military base together.]
[Oh, Morgan has been at the assembly spot the whole time. Who made up the diva act? Who said she quit? All those shadow haters, come and see for yourselves.]
The trolls hadn't expected this. After a moment of dumbfounded silence, they quickly switched tactics.
[Look at that, she's packed her suitcase—she's definitely ready to quit, right?]
[Is the production team about to let Renee say goodbye to everyone?]
[...]
The netizens were all a little confused. No one wanted to speak up first, eyes glued to the screen, waiting to see what kind of explanation Renee would give.
Renee had no idea someone had paid big money to push her onto the trending list first thing in the morning, let alone that she'd supposedly "quit." How was she supposed to explain anything?
The PD pointed towards the director.
Renee suddenly understood—it must be another impromptu segment.
Lynn Miller had been chatting with Renee all morning and hadn't checked her phone, so she had no idea about this mess either.
She glanced at the time, frowning: "It's past our departure time—why aren't they here yet?"
The male members had all arrived except Miles Yates; among the women, only Lynn and Renee were waiting—Zara Chapman and Wendy Aldridge were still MIA.
The show's assistant replied quietly, "They'll be here soon." They'd just sent people to knock on doors one by one.
Miles Yates finally showed up, pushing his suitcase and looking apologetic: "Sorry I'm late."
His assistant followed behind, offering everyone an apology, explaining that Miles had an upset stomach.
Renee saw that his makeup couldn't hide how haggard he looked. She frowned, but since there were a lot of people around, she didn't say much more.
Next was Zara Chapman, trailing her suitcase, sporting an exaggerated bucket hat and a floral camisole with jeans. She looked more like she was going on vacation than filming military bootcamp reality TV.
Lynn kindly reminded her, "Didn't the director's team remind you we're starting military training today?"
But Zara didn't seem to appreciate it, putting on her best innocent face: "I'm just wearing what the show told me to."
Production team: "..." Well, that's an unfair accusation.
Renee thought of the text they'd gotten last night, reminding everyone they'd be entering the military unit and starting training, so they should wear sporty clothes.
Zara just wanted to look good while still moving comfortably, apparently.
Lynn's reminder was out of kindness, but Zara's tone rubbed her the wrong way. She was about to show everyone the group chat message, but Renee tapped her hand and whispered, "Ms. Miller, your shoelace is untied."
Lynn immediately forgot what she was about to say, glanced down, and sure enough, her lace was loose. She crouched to fix it right away.
Zara was already sprawled out on the sofa, posing with one shoulder out, showing off her fair collarbone and striking a bunch of carefully curated poses, basking in all her glory.
Online, Zara's body was getting tons of praise—normally, netizens might be jealous, but now everyone was saying:
[She's skinny, sure, but her skin is a bit loose and her neck lines are obvious. Just look at the younger girls—their skin is so dewy and fresh, they're glowing even without any primping… Still, for her age, she's holding up pretty well!]
[...]
Most netizens were pretty straightforward—they believed what they saw and spoke the truth. If they realized they got it wrong and twisted the facts, they'd admit and apologize, but only if they felt like roasting someone in the first place.
By 9:30, Wendy Aldridge still hadn't appeared.
No one knew what was going on, so the production team sent someone to look for her again.
Renee guessed it was about the allergic reaction, and honestly, she was a little curious—how bad would it get for Wendy Aldridge? In her dream, she'd been itchy all over, and later even had asthma attacks—it sounded pretty miserable.
The staff came rushing back looking worried; after a quick chat with the director, they left again. The director explained to the group, "Wendy Aldridge won't be going with us for now, so let's all get on the bus."
The director didn't explain why, which Renee had already expected.