Broken by Destiny by George Orwell 309

Maxwell is overwhelmed with emotion as he reads hurtful gossip headlines, tears streaming down his face. Marcelo watches him with frustration, criticizing Maxwell for blaming Amelia for problems that actually stem from his own mistakes with his girlfriend. The tension escalates as Maxwell defensively accuses Marcelo of driving Isabel away, but Marcelo remains firm, refusing to accept blame and dismissing Maxwell’s complaints. Despite their heated exchange, Maxwell insists he treated Isabel with respect, contrasting himself with Marcelo’s attitude toward Patience.

Meanwhile, the long-awaited variety show finally airs, generating excitement among fans. Amelia and Selena, the first guests, captivate the audience with their fresh and sporty appearances. Amelia’s confident and approachable demeanor, paired with Selena’s nervous but eager presence, wins over viewers, who flood the livestream chat with praise. The atmosphere is light and promising, with the crew pleased by the positive reception and high ratings.

The mood shifts when Gianna and Vincent appear together, holding hands in an attempt to present themselves as a couple. This staged display, orchestrated by Gianna and the Nygards, aims to boost the show’s appeal but falls flat with the audience. Past scandals and their unpopular reputations make their act seem desperate rather than genuine. Vincent, forced into the situation by his mother, looks unhappy and drained, painfully aware that Amelia’s indifference toward him is real and deeply cutting.

The Tuschs: 1 Bak

Chapter 309: Not Playing Hard to Get

Maxwell sat in Marcelo’s office, tears streaming down his face as he stared at the latest gossip headlines. The words on the screen felt like a cruel blow, and he couldn’t hold back the flood of emotions any longer. The pain was raw, and he felt utterly overwhelmed.

Marcelo watched him with a mixture of frustration and disbelief. “Are you seriously losing your mind?” he snapped. “Those words came from Patience, not Amelia! You’re blaming Amelia for something you messed up with your girlfriend. How does that make any sense?”

The tension in the room thickened as Marcelo’s voice grew sharper. He wasn’t holding back his criticism, and it was clear he was fed up with Maxwell’s self-pity. “You’re the one who screwed things up, and now you want to pin it on Amelia? That’s just ridiculous.”

Maxwell’s face flushed with anger. “How dare you talk to me like that? You drove Isabel away too, and you still have the nerve to lecture me?” His voice cracked with bitterness and hurt.

Marcelo’s expression hardened. If anyone had the right to criticize Maxwell, it certainly wasn’t him. But he didn’t back down. “Fine, let them tear each other apart,” he muttered under his breath, clearly exasperated.

Maxwell’s voice softened, but his frustration remained. “I’m nothing like you. You never appreciated Patience; you treated her like a servant, always ordering her around. I never treated Isabel that way. We just had some misunderstandings.”

Marcelo refused to admit that he had made the same mistakes as his foolish brother. Sure, he had been a little distant with Isabel at times, but he had always treated her well. He never saw her as anything less than his equal. Their relationship had been solid, and his mother was delighted with Isabel. Unlike Maxwell, Marcelo didn’t cling to Gianna every single day. He acknowledged that he spoiled Gianna a bit, but as the eldest son, he thought it was justified. Despite his busy schedule and limited time with Isabel, Marcelo believed he was doing a decent job.

Maxwell rolled his eyes in disbelief. “You really don’t get it,” he said, exasperated.

Marcelo cut him off. “Enough! Miguel’s about to go on a show. Maybe that’ll cheer you up so you stop moping around.”

—

The long-anticipated variety show finally premiered, filling the air with excitement and anticipation. The studio buzzed with energy as the first guests, Amelia and Selena, took the stage. Their popularity was undeniable; as soon as they appeared on screen, the chat exploded with comments and praise.

Amelia looked effortlessly fresh and vibrant in her usual sporty, casual attire. She wore pristine white lace-up sneakers that added a crisp touch to her outfit. Her long, glossy hair was pulled into a high ponytail that bounced playfully with every step she took. The ensemble perfectly showcased her tall, graceful figure and youthful spirit. Her sunny, approachable demeanor was exactly what fans adored.

Selena, trying to match Amelia’s style, had chosen sporty clothes for her debut on this type of show. Nervous but eager, she had asked Amelia for advice on what to wear. Amelia’s suggestion of casual sportswear had led Selena to pack several outfits along those lines. This was her first variety show, and she felt a flutter of anxiety as she greeted the audience on camera. She stuck close to Amelia, worried about making any mistakes. Victor’s variety shows were known for being unscripted, relying heavily on the guests’ ability to improvise, which made the atmosphere feel natural and engaging. Selena didn’t want to mess it up.

Hand in hand, Amelia and Selena walked into the studio, instantly capturing everyone’s attention. Their contrasting yet harmonious presence—one sharp and confident, the other youthful and endearing—created a striking image. The livestream chat was filled with enthusiastic messages like, “I love them so much!” and “Boss and subordinate, but total besties. Obsessed!”

The crew smiled as they read the comments, clearly pleased with the positive reception. With such high ratings from the start, everyone was confident the show would be a hit. The mood was light, and everything seemed to flow smoothly.

Then, Gianna and Vincent appeared, holding hands as they faced the cameras. Were they trying to present themselves as a couple? Having real couples on a variety show could be a big draw, potentially winning over more fans. This was a carefully crafted script arranged by Gianna and the Nygards, designed to guarantee success.

Unfortunately, the audience wasn’t convinced. If it weren’t for the previous scandals surrounding them, maybe it would have worked. But one was a homewrecker, and the other was widely disliked. Their blatant display of their relationship on the show came off as desperate, and viewers weren’t buying it.

Vincent’s expression was particularly telling—he looked as if he had just tasted something bitter and unpleasant. He didn’t seem happy at all. Forced onto the variety show by his mother, he was stuck with Gianna again, and any enthusiasm he might have had was completely drained. Smiling through this charade would have been a miracle.

More than that, Vincent was painfully aware that Amelia no longer cared about him. This wasn’t just a game of playing hard to get—her indifference was real, and it cut deeper than he wanted to admit.

The chapter delicately unravels the tangled emotions and fractured relationships between Maxwell, Marcelo, and the others, exposing the raw vulnerabilities beneath their conflicts. Maxwell’s pain and frustration highlight the complexity of love and blame, while Marcelo’s harsh words reveal the stubborn pride that keeps them apart. Meanwhile, Amelia and Selena’s poised and genuine presence on the variety show offers a refreshing contrast to the bitterness and despair, symbolizing hope and authenticity amidst the chaos.

Yet, the staged appearance of Gianna and Vincent serves as a stark reminder of the facades people maintain to hide their insecurities and failures. Vincent’s silent suffering and Amelia’s cold detachment underscore the emotional toll of broken trust and unfulfilled desires. In this delicate balance of truth and pretense, the chapter gently captures the poignant reality that healing and understanding are often the hardest roles to play.

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled emotions and strained relationships that have been simmering beneath the surface. Maxwell’s vulnerability and Marcelo’s harsh judgment set the stage for an intense confrontation that could either widen the rift between the brothers or force them to confront uncomfortable truths. The rawness of their exchange hints at unresolved pain and misunderstandings that may come to light, challenging their perceptions of themselves and each other.

Meanwhile, the variety show’s contrasting dynamics continue to unfold, with Amelia and Selena’s genuine camaraderie shining brightly against the forced facade of Gianna and Vincent. The tension surrounding Vincent’s discontent and Amelia’s growing indifference suggests that cracks are forming in the carefully constructed appearances. As the spotlight shifts and emotions simmer just beneath the surface, the next chapter will likely explore how these personal conflicts influence their public personas and what consequences might arise from the fragile balance between truth and pretense.

Charles Hill

Sara is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.