Charlotte didn't check her phone right away.
Then—
Her phone buzzed.And kept buzzing.
Charlotte frowned and picked it up.Hundreds of notifications.
Her heart skipped.
The video was out there now.No filters.No perfect lighting.No designer dresses.Just her—200 pounds of reality,laid bare for the entire world to see.
Her hands trembled slightly,but deep down,a strange sense of exhilaration bubbled up.It was like standing at the edge of a cliff,heart pounding,adrenaline surging—terrifying,yet electrifying.
She wasn't hiding anymore.
Hundreds of notifications!It wasn't just the usual algorithm-driven trickle of engagement.No,this was an avalanche.The numbers on the screen skyrocketed—likes,comments,shares.
And most alarming of all—
The group chat.
For years,theElite Social Circlechat had been the virtual gathering place for New York's wealthiest and most privileged heirs.It was a space filled with designer-clad drama,power plays,and an unspoken hierarchy that dictated their world.Charlotte had been a part of it since birth,thanks to her family's fortune.
Even after the bankruptcy,she never left the chat—she just faded into the background,unseen,forgotten.
Until now.
Now?
It was a full-blown digital earthquake.
---
Victoria:Coffee&Chaos
Across town,in an elegant Upper East Side café,Victoria Langley was sipping her oat milk latte,casually scrolling through her phone while her friends gossiped about the latest Hamptons scandal.
Then—
She saw it.
Charlotte Evans.
Fat.In workout clothes.Talking about weight loss.
On a public video.
"PFFFT—"
The coffee shot out of Victoria's mouth in a messy spray.She choked,coughing violently as her friend Madison reached over,patting her back with an amused smirk.
"Jesus,Vicky,what the hell?"Madison asked,wrinkling her nose at the coffee disaster splattered across Victoria's designer blouse.
Victoria gasped for air,her manicured fingers frantically swiping the screen."Charlotte Evans has officially lost her damn mind."
Madison leaned in to look,her perfectly sculpted brows lifting in shock.
"No.Freaking.Way."
Victoria wiped her mouth,still staring in disbelief.CharlottefreakingEvans—once the queen of their world—was now…this?
Disheveled.Overweight.Living inGod knows where.
Pathetic.
Her eyes darted to the comments section.
—IS THIS REAL?!
—Wait,I thought she died or something?
—What happened to her???
—OMG VICTORIA DID YOU SEE THIS?!
Victoria smirked,her polished nails tapping against the screen as she considered her next move.
"This is going to be hilarious,"she murmured.
---
Olivia:Panic Mode
Meanwhile,Olivia Sinclair had a completely different reaction.
She was at her office downtown,mindlessly scrolling through social media between meetings when she saw Charlotte's video.
Her jaw dropped.
She blinked.Once.Twice.Nope.It was real.
Her stomach twisted with concern.
Without thinking,she hit video call.
Charlotte picked up almost immediately,looking wary."Liv?"
Olivia didn't waste time."Charlotte.What the hell was that?"
Charlotte folded her arms."What do you mean?"
"I mean,are you okay?Are you having a mental breakdown?Do you need a therapist?I know a really good one."
Charlotte rolled her eyes."Wow.Thanks for the support."
"I'm serious!"Olivia gripped her steering wheel as she pulled out of the office parking lot."Babe,this is not just some'normal'comeback video.This is like…headline news in our world.Everyone's talking about it."
Charlotte hesitated.She knew people would notice,but…this fast?
She exhaled,forcing a small smile."Guess that means it's working."
Olivia groaned."That's not the point!"
Charlotte shrugged."Relax.I know what I'm doing."
"You better,"Olivia muttered."Because I'm on my way to your place.And,Char?If you actually lost your mind,I swear I'll drag you to therapy myself."
Charlotte sighed."Liv,you really don't have to—"
Beep.Beep.Beep.
Another call was coming in.
Mom.
Charlotte winced.Great.Just great.
---
James:The Brother Freak-Out
At the Evans family farm,miles away from Manhattan's glitz and glam,James Evans was knee-deep in a peaceful fishing session.
Or at least,hewas.
Until his phone started vibrating like crazy.
With a grunt,he pulled it out,expecting some boring update.Instead—
Charlotte's face.On his screen.Talking about weight loss.
James blinked."What the f—"
The fish on his line took the moment to make its escape,jerking the pole.
James swore loudly as the fish disappeared back into the lake.
But he barely cared.Because Charlotte had lost her goddamn mind.
"NOPE.Nope,nope,nope—"
He grabbed his phone and sprinted toward the house."MOM!MOM!"
Inside,their mother,Margaret Evans,was chopping vegetables in the kitchen.She barely glanced up.
"What is it,James?"
James waved his phone like it was on fire."It's Charlotte.She's—she's—she'sINSANE!"
Margaret frowned,wiping her hands on a towel."James,calm down—"
James groaned."No!You have to see this!She's all over the internet,talking about losing weight,making a total spectacle of herself—"
Margaret's lips pressed into a thin line.She immediately reached for her phone.
James crossed his arms."Call her.Fix this.Because I swear—she's lost it."
Margaret dialed.Busy signal.
She tried again.Still busy.
Her frown deepened."She's on another call."
James scoffed."Probably with a psychiatrist,I hope."
Margaret shot him a look."That's enough,James."
James threw his hands up."I'm just saying!"
Margaret exhaled."I'll try again later."
---
Olivia Arrives
By the time Olivia pulled up to Charlotte's apartment,she was already mentally preparing an intervention.
But the moment she stepped out of her car,she paused.
Then frowned.
Then wrinkled her nose.
"Oh.My.God."
The building was tiny.The streets were quiet—too quiet.The whole place had the distinct energy ofI can't believe people actually live here.
She knocked on Charlotte's door.
A few moments later,Charlotte answered,looking mildly amused."Wow.You look dramatic."
Olivia didn't even bother hiding it."Charlotte Evans.My best friend.My once-glamorous,designer-wearing,rich-bitchbest friend…livesHERE?"
Charlotte rolled her eyes."Yes.I live here.Get over it."
Olivia stepped inside and let out a dramatic sigh."Oh,honey.This is…heartbreaking."
Charlotte smirked."Would it help if I told you I have running water?"
Olivia shot her a look."Don't test me."
Charlotte chuckled."Relax.I'm fine."
Charlotte kept talking,but her feet never stopped moving.
Step.Step.Step.
Olivia frowned,arms crossed."Are you seriously exercisingwhilewe talk?"
Charlotte smirked."Multitasking,babe."
Olivia's eyes narrowed."You?The same Charlotte Evans who once whined about walking more than two blocks in heels?The girl who called SoulCycle'torture for peasants'?"
Charlotte shrugged,still stepping in place."People change."
Olivia eyed her suspiciously."Uh-huh.And exactly how much are you planning to work out every day?"
Charlotte hesitated."Not sure.Just…as much as I can."
In truth,she didn't know the exact numbers.But she did know one thing—she had to keep going.
System,she thought,how much weight am I supposed to lose?
A translucent screen appeared before her,invisible to Olivia.
[System Notice]:Weight loss is not just about numbers.Rapid loss can cause loose skin,muscle depletion,and metabolic issues.Your plan will be structured for optimal health,balance,and sustainability.
Charlotte rolled her eyes.So no shortcuts?
[System Notice]:Sustainable transformation over instant gratification.
She sighed.Figures.
Olivia snapped her fingers in front of her face."Hello?Earth to Charlotte?"
Charlotte blinked and smiled."Sorry,just thinking."
Olivia crossed her arms."Uh-huh.Well,whatever you're thinking,I hope it's good.Tell me—what's your plan?Because after that video?The whole city's watching."
Charlotte's lips curled into a slow,determined smile.
"Good,"she said."Let them watch."
---
To Be Continued…