Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Samantha’s expression remained the same and she answered without hesitation, “So be it.”

An oddly smug look appeared in Jade’s eyes. She happened to hear the three judges heaping praise on Harmony when she was on her way out, hence her deliberate provocation toward Samantha. However, she did not expect Samantha to agree so rashly.

If Samantha wanted to be popular, Jade was going to make sure that Samantha had a chance to gain a little bit of publicity. Samantha would only be able to come to her senses that way!

Jade felt even more smug when she imagined Samantha barking at Lychee TV’s entrance a little later. The unhappiness in her heart had all but disappeared.

Jade took Harmony’s arm and said with a smile, “Come on, Harmony. I’ll treat you to some coffee.”

Harmony glanced at Samantha anxiously but was dragged away by Jade and the others before she had time to say anything.

Samantha’s lips twitched and she walked toward the cafe on her own.

Elsie Joplin, the contestant who had locked horns with Jade earlier, could not resist approaching Samantha after seeing her calmness. Curious, Elsie asked, “Samantha, are you really that confident about getting first place? Your performance was good, but Harmony’s was just as good too. Your chances are fifty-fifty at most. If you lose, I can assure you that Jade’s the kind of person who’ll make sure that you embarrass yourself in public!”

Samantha glanced at her and said, “Thank you for letting me know.”

She did not say anything else after that.

Elsie did not ask any further after realizing that she would not be able to get anything else from Samantha. However, she continued frankly and said, “I hope you win though. I’m dying to see that arrogant woman barking like a dog!”

Samantha did not continue the conversation because she did not like gossiping about someone behind their backs. Aside from that, she and Elsie were not that close with each other and did not have the kind of friendship that would allow them to chat freely.

She merely smiled without saying another word.

The contestants headed for the cafe and Samantha chose to sit at a random corner.

Harmony was sitting at another table with Jade and a few other people.

There was a sudden bustle of activity at the cafe entrance that drew everyone’s attention. Someone important seemed to have arrived.

Everyone looked at that person as he walked straight toward Samantha.

Samantha did not notice it because she was scrolling through her phone, and it was not until she heard footsteps near her table that she finally looked up.

Standing before her was a man who was about 50 or 60 years of age. He had a chubby figure and an obvious beer belly, but he had an air of leadership to him.

Samantha had no idea who that man was.

He spoke first and asked, “You’re Samantha Larsson, aren’t you?”

Samantha nodded gently. “Yes, I am. And you are?”

“I’m the general manager of this TV station,” the man introduced himself concisely.

The general manager of Lychee TV was the highest in the hierarchy.

Samantha was surprised at first, but she immediately stood up and greeted him. “Hello, Sir.”

The general manager nodded. “Hello.”

Samantha pursed her lips lightly and asked. “Is there a reason you’re looking for me?”

“Could you come out for a moment please?”

Go out?

Was there an issue with the competition?

Seeing that the general manager had already turned around and walked out, Samantha felt it inappropriate to ask any further and could only follow behind the man.

She followed him out of the cafe and they took the elevator upstairs to his office.

The general manager walked to the sofa, sat down, then invited her to have a seat. “Please, sit.”

Samantha sat down cautiously and finally asked, “If I may, can I ask what’s the matter? Does it have something to do with the competition?”

The general manager smiled at her question. “Don’t be nervous. I saw how well you did in the first round and I just wanted to meet you.”

Samantha’s anxiousness finally calmed down at last.

She thought that something serious had happened based on the way the man was carrying himself earlier.

The general manager continued, “There hasn’t been any fresh blood in the station for a long time now, and the current batch of contestants aren’t too bad. You, in particular, stood out to me even though you’re a newcomer. You’ve never undergone any professional training or have any work experience, right?”

It was natural for the general manager to have read through her background.

Samantha nodded and said truthfully, “I don’t have any of that, but when I was abroad, I did a lot of part-time jobs. Most of them were temporary assignments because they needed someone to report breaking news. I guess that’s sort of a kind of training too.”

“I see.” The general manager smiled with satisfaction. “I have high hopes for you, Samantha. Please do your best.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

…

Samantha took the elevator downstairs just as it was time for the results to be announced. A group of contestants also walked out of the cafe and walked toward the newsroom.

She happened to run into Jade on her way there, but Jade no longer gave her any contemptuous looks. Rather, she cocked her eyebrow and spoke as she was about to be proven right anytime soon. “Remember not to go back on your word if you lose later. It’s going to be unpleasant if everyone knows how much of a sore loser Mrs. Barker is!”

Samantha looked directly at Jade and spoke with an emphasis on each word, “You can say the same to yourself. Don’t be a sore loser too!”

She then continued to walk forward and did not even bother to look at her again.

Jade gritted her teeth with anger and her eyes were slightly fierce. She wanted to thoroughly embarrass Samantha, so after a brief thought, she took out her cell phone and created a group on WeTalk. There, she added in a few of her close reporter friends and sent a message: [Mrs. Barker is going to learn how to bark at the entrance of Lychee TV. Come on over if you want to be the first to get the news!]

No one would care if ‘Samantha’ barked like a dog, but if it was ‘Mrs. Barker’ doing it, the news would make headlines in the gossip section and rake in millions of views!

Everyone returned to the newsroom.

Once Walter made sure that everyone was there, he said, “After a heated discussion between the three judges, the results of the first round have been released. Seven out of fifteen will make it through, so it is with great regret that the journey for eight contestants will end here. I will announce the list of people who have successfully passed this round.”

“Harmony Johnson, Elsie Joplin, Jade Plunkett…” Another three names were mentioned after that.

Having reached the sixth name, there was only one final spot left for advancement.

Jade could no longer contain her laughter. Samantha had boasted so confidently about being first, but it looked as though she had no chance of even making it through!

She sneered mockingly at Samantha, “So what if you’re Mrs. Barker? Everybody’s on the same level when it comes to proving yourself with what you’ve got.”

As soon as she made that remark, Walter finally said, “…and Samantha Larsson! Let’s all congratulate these seven contestants!”

Everyone applauded.

The smile on Jade’s face suddenly stiffened, but she curled her lips coldly and said, “Don’t expect to get first place when you’re the last to make it through!”

After the applause, Walter took out another list and said loudly, “Alright! Next up, I’m going to announce the rankings for those who have successfully made it through. In first place, we have….”