Chapter 30

"Ugh, why are these vines so stubborn!" Leo Brooks fumbled with the tangled strands, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Aria Bennett chuckled softly. "Take your time." Her slender fingers wove through the vines with effortless grace.

Owen Parker stared at his lopsided half-finished basket and groaned. "Miss Bennett, why does mine look like a crooked tree?"

Elliot Hayes burst out laughing. "Mine's no better—it resembles a squashed mushroom."

The livestream comments exploded:

[LMAO this isn't basket-weaving, it's abstract art!]

[Elliot's mushroom comparison is spot-on, I'm dying!]

[Aria's hands are magic. The contrast is brutal.]

Aria patiently guided each of them. "Leo, pull this tighter. Owen, adjust the angle here."

Suddenly, the car hit a bump, sending Elliot's half-finished basket flying.

"My basket!" He lunged forward with a dramatic wail.

Mason Bell slammed the brakes, exasperated. "You guys are performing acrobatics now?"

Aria caught the airborne "art piece" with lightning reflexes, barely suppressing a laugh. "Seatbelts first, weaving later."

[I can't breathe, this is too funny!]

[This moment will live in my mind rent-free.]

[Aria's reflexes are insane!]

Once back on the road, the group focused seriously on weaving. Gradually, their misshapen baskets began taking form.

"Oh my god, I actually made one!" Leo held up his creation, beaming like a child.

Owen rubbed his chin. "It's ugly, but at least it holds things."

Elliot suddenly grinned. "Let's name them! Mine's 'Abstract Art Basket.'"

Aria played along. "Then mine should be 'Soullessly Perfect Basket.'"

[Aria's comedic timing is gold!]

[This group's chemistry is everything.]

[This is what reality shows should be like!]

Mason gasped. "We're here!" He stared at the GPS in disbelief. "Miss Bennett, you didn't miss a single turn!"

Aria blinked innocently. "Did you doubt me?"

"I'm officially impressed," Mason admitted, giving a thumbs-up. "Your memory is unreal."

The comments went wild:

[I counted—eleven forks in the road!]

[Does Aria have a built-in GPS?]

[Where are the haters now? Who said she'd get lost?]

The production crew waited at the town entrance. The director raised an eyebrow as Aria's team arrived first. "You didn't take one wrong turn?"

Aria lifted her chin proudly. "Of course not."

The director handed them four cards. "Congratulations on earning first pick."

Instead of deciding alone, Aria turned to her team. "Where should we choose?"

Kieran Doyle blurted, "People call Miss Bennett bossy? What nonsense!"

[Kieran speaks his mind, LOL!]

[This guy has no filter, I love it.]

[But he's right though.]

They unanimously picked the busiest square downtown. Just as they finalized their choice, Damian Cross's team pulled up behind them.

"Seems we chose the right people to follow," Damian said, his gaze lingering on Aria.

She smiled back. "Looking forward to working together."

[Damian's eyes when he looks at Aria—]

[This ship has sailed!]

[Smart move, Damian. Never let go of that advantage.]

Serena Blake's team arrived third. Her smile stiffened upon seeing the prime location taken.

"Let's pick the open market," she told Nolan Reed, forcing cheerfulness.

Nolan watched Aria and Damian walk away, a sour taste in his mouth. "Yeah."

Later arrivals gasped upon hearing Aria navigated flawlessly.

Jonah Pierce slapped his thigh. "I'm sticking to Aria like glue tomorrow!"

Caleb Monroe nodded vigorously. "Same!"

Wesley Hart groaned. "Should've followed Damian's lead this morning!"

[Everyone's an Aria fan now!]

[Damian: Too late, she's mine.]

[The turnaround is delicious.]

Meanwhile, Aria and her team reached the bustling square, ready to begin their "business venture."

"Ready?" She scanned the group, eyes sparkling with confidence.

"Ready!" they chorused.

Viewers eagerly typed:

[Go go go! Show us how it's done!]

[This is the ultimate sales dream team.]

[With Damian and Aria together, who can compete?]