Adi dropped his arms to his sides. “Sorry, what? Why? Is Fitzy quitting?”
“It’s time for Fitzy’s career to take a new direction.”
“Is this from him, or you?”
“From Hitflix. They don’t think he’s the right fit for the role. They want”—she gestured vaguely in Adi’s direction—“a fresh perspective.”
“Right,” Adi drawled.
“I’m serious. You’re good-looking. Charming. Smart enough to hold your own with Louis. You could help elevate the show to a whole new level.”
He tried to imagine reading cheesy cue cards and sipping water through a straw while people dabbed at his face.No thank you.
“I can see your hesitation,” Ranielle said, “and I’d like to add that we’re planning to make significant changes next season.”
“What kind of changes?”
“I’m not legally allowed to disclose that information, but I can promise new destinations. First-class flights. The most elaborate puzzles in the world.”
Sweetbrier Resort.
It couldn’t be.
But maybe it could. Maybe the invitations were only the beginning, and Victor Cunningham was extending his offer to a fresh slew of puzzle-loving teens. In that case, Adi would be receiving more than a one-off chance to visit the resort. He’d have a whole season to get to know his dad.
He felt like a fish staring at an obvious bait on a hook. But he’d be out of his mind to turn down an opportunity like that.
“Did my mother put you up to this?”
Ranielle bristled. “Don’t insult me. I’m still the executive producer here.”
Maybe. But Symphony had a way of twisting things in her favor, and the fact that she happened to be skulking around the studio only made Adi more suspicious. It was too much of a coincidence.
No wonder the editing team had made him look better than he was. This whole thing was preplanned.
Being the host of a reality show wouldn’t swing Victor’s vote in his favor, especially not if Symphony had anything to do with it.
On the other hand, if Adi could spend some time with his dad, prove he wasn’t some shallow Hollywood type—
“I’m not making this proposal lightly,” Ranielle said. “Give it some thought, and let’s discuss again after the next round. I trust you can keep this between us until then? Fitzy doesn’t know, and I don’t see the point in enlightening him until after this season is wrapped.”
Rough break for Fitzy.
“Oh—and there is one small stipulation.”
Adi sighed. There was always a catch. “What?”
“I like winners, Aditya.”
His eyelid twitched. “So . . . your offer only stands if my team wins the season?”
“I knew you were a smart kid. I’m thinking it might be . . . prudent . . . to have a strategy in place in the event your team continues to struggle. You might require, let’s say,extra assistancefor some of the clues.”
“You want me to cheat?”
“I want you to see the big picture. This is show business. You can’t be naive enough to think we don’t tweak and edit to our advantage.”
“Of course I know that,” Adi snapped. “Reality shows are never actual reality.”
