Broken by Destiny by George Orwell 318
Marcelo watches from behind the scenes, amused by his younger brother Maxwell’s concern over Miguel and Gianna’s difficult living conditions. When Maxwell expresses sympathy, Marcelo mocks him, reminding him of Gianna’s past betrayal and questioning why Maxwell didn’t volunteer to take Miguel’s place himself. Marcelo believes Maxwell is foolish for trusting Gianna again and decides to let him learn from his mistakes.
Meanwhile, the cast settles into their lodgings and prepares for the next segment of the show at a large herbal cultivation base. The fresh scent and lush greenery impress Selena, but Gianna remains skeptical and resentful, especially toward Selena and Amelia, who had exposed her lip-sync scandal. Gianna secretly signals Regina to begin their cheating plan, confident that they can deceive the audience without being caught.
Gianna volunteers to share tips on herb cultivation, surprising everyone with her knowledgeable and convincing explanation. Even Vincent, who had doubted her intelligence, is impressed. Miguel praises her natural talent, while Jeremy dismisses her performance as mere textbook knowledge without real skill. Despite mixed reactions, Gianna basks in the confidence given by Regina’s support and the chance to earn bonus rewards on the show.
Chapter 318: A Team That Stuns Everyone
From his vantage point off-screen, Marcelo couldn’t hold back his laughter—his younger brother’s antics were simply too ridiculous to ignore.
“Marcelo, what’s so funny?” Maxwell asked, sitting beside him with a concerned look. “Miguel and Gianna are stuck living in that shabby place, and you’re just laughing? Don’t you feel bad at all?”
But Marcelo’s laughter only grew louder. “Seriously, what did you expect? If you’re feeling so sorry, why didn’t you step up and volunteer to replace Miguel? Why not take her place on the show yourself?”
Maxwell hesitated, searching for an answer. “I…”
Marcelo cut him off with a smirk. “Feeling guilty now? Did you forget how Gianna set you up last time?”
He leaned in with a teasing grin. “Be honest—aren’t you secretly relieved you didn’t have to bring her along this time?”
Maxwell struggled to respond. “That wasn’t really her fault. Gianna didn’t mean to cause trouble.”
He still clung stubbornly to the belief that she had changed, despite all the mishaps that had occurred on his previous trips with her.
Marcelo scoffed coldly. “Ha. You’ve lost your mind. I tried warning you, but you just wouldn’t listen.”
He shrugged and decided to let Maxwell learn the hard way. Eventually, life would teach him some hard lessons.
Meanwhile, on the set, everyone had settled into their assigned lodgings, the buzz of activity calming as they prepared for the next part of the show.
After tidying up, the group made their way to the herbal cultivation base—a sprawling area filled with neat rows of vibrant green herbs stretching as far as the eye could see.
As they approached, the air was thick with the fresh, invigorating scent of herbs, a fragrance that seemed to promise vitality and health.
“Breathing this in feels like it could add years to your life,” Selena remarked with a warm smile, her eyes sparkling with genuine appreciation for the place.
Gianna rolled her eyes at the comment. What did an outsider like Selena really know? Gianna’s talent was singing, not herbs.
She had always resented Selena. If it hadn’t been for her and Amelia, Gianna’s lip-sync scandal might never have come to light.
Quietly, Gianna stepped aside and whispered into her earpiece, “We can start now.”
Yes, she was cheating, but to her, there was nothing wrong with it. Being able to cheat cleverly, without leaving any evidence, was a skill in itself.
On the other end, Regina immediately understood the signal. “Relax. I’m ready whenever you are.”
Hearing this, Gianna’s confidence swelled. She strutted forward with the pride of a peacock, ready to take center stage.
Facing the camera, she volunteered enthusiastically, “Host, I’m quite familiar with this place. I’d love to share some tips on cultivating and enhancing herbs.”
She added with a sweet smile directed at Amelia, “You don’t mind, do you?”
Amelia hesitated briefly, then returned the smile brightly. “Why would I? Go ahead—show us what you’ve got.”
If someone wanted to shine, Amelia wasn’t going to stand in their way.
Gianna’s heart tightened slightly at Amelia’s words—there was something about the tone that felt off—but she quickly pushed the feeling aside.
With Regina’s support, she felt untouchable.
“Perfect,” the host said. “Gianna, please begin. If you impress us, you’ll earn five bonus gold coins.”
The more coins they collected, the better the privileges they gained on the show.
“Got it,” Gianna said with a confident smile as she faced the camera and started her explanation.
“I want to begin with the basics. When growing herbs, the first step is preparing the soil. It needs to be fertile, with excellent drainage and good airflow.”
“For different herbs, soil preferences vary. Some require acidic soil, while others thrive in alkaline or neutral conditions.”
“Next is seed selection. Choosing quality seeds is essential for healthy herb growth. Certified seeds tend to have fewer pests and diseases and usually have shorter growth cycles.”
Her explanation was surprisingly convincing, even to Vincent, who had always dismissed her as scatterbrained.
She had stumbled so many times before that he had completely written her off.
But now, she actually sounded knowledgeable.
Maybe this was truly her area of expertise—after all, she had studied it.
“That was impressive, Gianna,” Miguel said proudly. “Even I didn’t catch everything—you’re a natural.”
Off to the side, Jeremy remained unimpressed.
“This is all textbook stuff. There’s no real practical skill here. I don’t see any talent,” he said bluntly, without hesitation.
Jeremy had never been one to hold back. If he wanted to call something out, he would do so openly, even in front of the entire nation.
The chapter delicately explores the complex dynamics between the characters, highlighting the tension between skepticism and hope. Marcelo’s laughter and teasing reveal a hardened perspective shaped by past disappointments, contrasting with Maxwell’s lingering belief in Gianna’s potential for change. Meanwhile, Gianna’s calculated confidence and subtle cheating underscore her struggle to reclaim her place and prove her worth, even as doubts linger beneath the surface. The herbal cultivation setting serves as a metaphor for growth and renewal, mirroring the characters’ own journeys of resilience and self-discovery.
Despite the differing opinions on Gianna’s abilities, the chapter captures a moment of tentative recognition and the fragile hope for redemption. The interplay of support and criticism from those around her reflects the ongoing battle between acceptance and judgment that defines her path. Ultimately, the story invites readers to consider the complexities of trust, ambition, and the desire to be seen for who we truly are, leaving a poignant impression of characters striving to overcome their pasts and shape their destinies.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the simmering tensions between the characters, especially as Gianna’s newfound confidence and subtle cheating tactics begin to ripple through the group. Will her charm and knowledge be enough to win over her skeptics, or will Jeremy’s blunt criticisms ignite a confrontation that could shake the team’s fragile dynamics? The emotional undercurrents between Maxwell, Marcelo, and Gianna also hint at unresolved conflicts that may come to a head, testing loyalties and revealing hidden motivations.
As the competition heats up, the stakes grow higher—not just in terms of gold coins or privileges, but in personal pride and trust. The herbal cultivation base, with its serene yet charged atmosphere, serves as the perfect backdrop for unexpected alliances and rivalries to emerge. Readers can expect a blend of strategic maneuvering and emotional vulnerability, as each character grapples with their ambitions and the consequences of their choices. The next chapter will undoubtedly keep you on edge, eager to see who rises and who stumbles under the spotlight.
Joseph King
Joseph King is an editor and storyteller who ensures every chapter is clear, polished, and engaging for readers.