Page 96 of Alice Chen's Reality Check

But Seth has noticed what I’m holding. “Give me that photo,” he says, dropping all pretense of being the friendly producer we’re used to.

“Let’s talk about this,” Daniel says firmly. “Why don’t we go back to the hotel first? I’m sure Leah’s waiting for us.”

“Not until you give me that,” Seth says, pointing at the photo.

“No,” I say evenly. “I think it’s evidence. I think you met with Anton yesterday because he’d printed this incriminating photo of you and Mikayla. I think he tried to blackmail you over it, and instead of handing him money, you punched him…and maybe you even threw him off the scaffolding—”

“That’s not what happened!” Seth screams. He lurches toward me, trying to grab the paper.

“Hey!” I yelp, and then Daniel’s pulling me behind him. Seth takes a swing at Daniel, aiming for his head, but Daniel simply ducks under Seth’s fist and, with ruthless efficiency, tackles him to the ground.

Holy shit, Daniel canfight?

Now prone, Seth lashes out. Daniel dodges, jerking back and cursing as the punch glances off his cheekbone.

“You need to cool it,” Daniel orders, but Seth answers him with another fist, this time landing a hit on Daniel’s side. Daniel jerks back in pain, his hand going to where he was burned not too long ago.

Seth scrabbles away, but I’m ready for him, and I piston my arms forward, shoving Seth off-balance. Still wincing, Daniel wrenches one of Seth’s arms and twists it behind his back.

“Get off me,” Seth yells, and bucks against Daniel, his legs kicking out and colliding with the scaffolding.

There’s an ominous, drawn-outcreeeeaaaaaak.

The scaffolding around us is wobbling. I hear a loud clang in the distance as a beam slides out of place and plunges into the sand.

“We’ve got to go!” I shout, and pull Daniel up. He grabs my hand and we sprint for the exit. The sound of metal on wood crashing together follows us as we navigate the labyrinth in reverse. Seth is staggering behind us, clutching his arm.

Daniel pushes me through the doorway first, then glances back to check on Seth.

“Come on!” he roars, and Seth puts on a burst of speed just as another beam plunges down, just inches away from him.

“Alice! Daniel!” Leah is running toward us, her hand on her earpiece. “What the hell are you guys doing here?” She glares at Seth. “You couldn’t have called this in? And why are you limping?”

“Seth tried to attack us,” Daniel informs Leah.

“What?” She looks at each of us, then taps her earpiece. “Security, come down to the villa.” To us, she says, “I don’t know what’s going on here, but we’re taking this to Dawn Taylor.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Hell Is a Real-Life Whodunit

When we arrive at the villa, Leah takes us straight to the war room to meet with Peter Dixon and Dawn Taylor. Security shows up to meet Leah, but it turns out thatsecurityjust means a really burly PA who opens the door when Leah waves at him.

I follow as Leah pushes Seth and Daniel into the room. This time around, it feels less like going to the principal’s office and more like preparing for a day in court. Dawn Taylor is sitting at the head of the table, with Peter Dixon to her right. They certainly look like they could be in reality TV court. She’s making a sleek black jumpsuit look like this season’s hottest fashion trend, and his charcoal blazer is impeccably pressed.

On the other side of the table, I know that we must look like a wreck. Seth and Daniel look like they’ve wrestled with a tree and lost, and I can feel the dust in my hair that was kicked up when the labyrinth self-imploded. None of us opt to sit down.

“What’s going on here?” Dawn Taylor demands.

“Sorry to bother you guys, but Seth and Daniel got into it at the labyrinth site,” Leah says. “Dawn, I told you Seth’s had it in for my contestants. This is crossing the line.”

Peter Dixon cuts in. “Boys, you know that fighting on the set is prohibited and could be considered a breach of contract—”

“The hell with the rules. What the fuck were you thinking, Seth?”Dawn Taylor says, rising out of her chair. “YoupunchedDaniel? Are you trying to ruin the show?”

“He came after me!” Seth protests.

“And why would he do that, Seth?”

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