Charlotte stood in her tiny kitchen, palms sweating as she faced the camera.
"Relax," Olivia said, holding up her phone. "You're not begging for views. You're leading a revolution—make them believe it."
Charlotte took a deep breath, forcing a confident smile.
"Hey everyone, I'm Charlotte Evans, a chef who loves food way too much but is also on a mission to lose weight—without giving up the joy of eating. So today—"
She angled the camera toward the golden, crispy chicken on her plate. "We're making a healthy version of fried chicken that's just as delicious."
The filming process was awkward at first. She kept fumbling over her words, stiff as a board. But the moment she started cooking, everything clicked.
She used an air fryer to crisp up the chicken, paired it with a homemade low-fat honey mustard sauce, and plated it like she was back in a five-star kitchen.
"This actually looks better than regular fried chicken," Olivia admitted, snapping a close-up shot.
Once they finished editing, they uploaded the video, not expecting much.
But then—
It blew up.
"Holy shit! It hit 300,000 views!" Olivia practically shrieked.
Charlotte jolted up from her chair, rushing over to see.
The comment section was exploding.
—"This looks so good! I didn't know you could eat like this while losing weight?? Instant follow!"
—"We need more of this! Healthy but tasty recipes? Yes, please."
—"Is this the same Charlotte Evans who used to be a rich girl chef? Damn, she still has the skills."
Of course, there were haters too.
—"Isn't this the spoiled socialite who used to drink champagne for breakfast?"
—"She's just trying to stay relevant, lol."
Charlotte clenched her jaw and clicked on her profile.
Overnight, she'd gained 5,000 followers.
People were watching. They were paying attention.
And then—
A familiar ding echoed in her mind.
[New Quest Unlocked!]
Her vision flashed as the system's interface popped up.
[Quest: The Gourmet's Weight Loss Journey]
- Goal: Post 10 healthy cooking and weight-loss videos within a month and reach a total of 500,000 views.
- Rewards:
- Physique Optimization – Your body will adjust faster to healthy eating habits, reducing cravings for junk food and making exercise easier.
- Enhanced Sense of Smell – As a chef, taste is vital, but so is smell. Completing this challenge will sharpen your olfactory senses, allowing you to detect the finest nuances in ingredients and elevate your cooking skills.
- Hidden Bonus Reward: ??? (Discover through progress.)
Charlotte's breath caught in her throat.
Wait. These rewards were insane.
If her body adapted better, she wouldn't fall into binge cycles anymore. And improved smell? That was a game-changer for a chef.
She gripped her phone, excitement buzzing through her veins.
"Something wrong?" Olivia asked.
Charlotte exhaled, then grinned.
"No. I just realized… this challenge is about to get a lot more interesting."
.....
Meanwhile, Alexander Hastings was mid-stride on the treadmill when he nearly stumbled.
On the gym's giant screen, a segment flashed with a headline bold enough to make his jaw clench.
**"Former Heiress Charlotte Evans Reinvents Herself as a Health Food Influencer?!"**
His fingers twitched instinctively toward the screen before he stopped himself. Instead, he exhaled sharply and tapped the power button, shutting it off entirely. He wasn't interested. He refused to be.
But then—
"You see that Charlotte Evans weight-loss challenge? Can't believe she made fried chicken healthy."
"Right? That video was insane. My wife already made me buy an air fryer."
Alexander's steps faltered.
His grip on the treadmill's handle tightened as he turned his head slightly. Two men beside him were deep in conversation, oblivious to his growing irritation.
Charlotte's name. Again.
It had started with Damien's teasing. Then, social media. Then, last night—during a company meeting—he overheard a few of his female employees discussing her "inspiring journey."
He had assumed it was just a fleeting internet buzz, something that would fade as quickly as it appeared.
But it wasn't fading.
"She's really putting in the effort," one man mused. "Think she'll actually slim down?"
"Who knows? But if she does, bet she'll be gorgeous."
A sharp scoff left Alexander's lips before he even realized it. He ripped out his earbuds, stepping off the treadmill. He was done here.
By the time he reached his car, his irritation had morphed into something heavier—something he didn't care to name.
This was absurd.
He had made one offhanded comment. One.
So why the hell was her name everywhere he turned?
——
Later, across town, Alexander sat in his private club, a glass of whiskey in hand, staring at his phone.
On the screen, Charlotte was smiling as she introduced her latest recipe.
His fingers hovered over the screen as he scrolled through the flood of comments.
She was seriously doing this?
Meanwhile, across town, Alexander Hastings sat in his private club, a glass of whiskey in hand, staring at his phone.
On the screen, Charlotte was smiling as she introduced her latest recipe.
His fingers hovered over the screen as he scrolled through the flood of comments.
She was seriously doing this?
"She's got your attention now, huh?"
Alexander didn't react as Damien flopped down in the seat across from him, lazily swirling his drink.
"You usually look at your phone for two seconds before tossing it aside. This must be really interesting," Damien smirked. "What is it? Hot model? Secret business deal?"
Without a word, Alexander locked his phone and placed it facedown on the table.
Damien, ever the nosy bastard, snatched it up and glanced at the screen. His eyes widened—then he burst out laughing.
"No. Way." Damien cackled. "You were watching Charlotte Evans' weight-loss cooking channel?!"
Alexander shot him a sharp glare and swiftly took his phone back. "Shut up."
"Oh, this is gold." Damien grinned, leaning forward. "Wait, wait—don't tell me you're her fan now? Maybe you should try one of her diet meals. Concerned she won't lose the weight?"
"Damien." Alexander's voice was cold.
Damien simply raised his glass, looking far too amused. "I gotta say, your reaction to her the other night was weird. I mean, you loathed her, right? She chased after you like a lovesick puppy for years, and you couldn't stand it."
Alexander didn't answer, his jaw tight.
"But the way you reacted when you saw her? Not what I expected," Damien mused, tapping his glass. "Almost like… she got under your skin."
Alexander's fingers tightened slightly around his drink.
He had overreacted. That much was clear now. He'd gone in expecting to feel nothing, to brush her off like always.
Instead, when he saw her standing there—changed, different—he'd felt something.
And he hated that.
Damien's smirk widened. "Are you actually regretting it?"
"Regretting what?" Alexander's tone was flat.
"Turning her down."
Alexander's grip on his glass stilled.
Ridiculous.
Damien, clearly enjoying this too much, sighed dramatically. "Well, whether you care or not, she's getting famous. I was at the gym yesterday—even the girls there were talking about her."
Alexander exhaled slowly, swirling his whiskey before downing it in one go.
He wasn't interested. He wasn't concerned.
But no matter what he did—
Charlotte Evans' name refused to leave his world.