When the Dead Still Call novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18: Gianna Exposed

The moment hung heavy in the air. Amelia, without uttering a single word, rolled up her sleeves with quiet determination. Her hands moved swiftly and expertly, seizing a struggling fish from the tank. In one fluid motion, she scaled, gutted, and cleaned it with the precision of someone who had done this countless times before.

The others around her stood frozen, their jaws slack with disbelief.

“Wow!” Kristina’s eyes widened in genuine awe, her voice tinged with surprise. “You actually know how to do that?”

Bella chuckled, nudging Amelia playfully. “Seriously, Amelia, is there anything you don’t know?”

Amelia shrugged lightly, her fingers never pausing. “This is nothing. I’ve handled much tougher situations before.”

Gianna’s expression twisted into one of horror and disbelief. “You’re killing a live fish? That’s so cruel! How can you even bear to do that?”

Amelia rolled her eyes, a sharp retort ready on her tongue. “Oh, please. Didn’t you stroll into this show clutching a crocodile-skin purse? And that fur coat you wore earlier? Those weren’t made from daisies, you know. Save me the sanctimonious act.”

Gianna’s face flushed a deep crimson. She glared at Amelia, trying to maintain her composure. “Th—that bag was faux leather, not real.”

But her eyes betrayed her, flickering nervously for just a moment.

Instant regret washed over her. She sensed the trap she had just fallen into.

Sure enough, Amelia’s lips curled into a mocking smile. “Oh? That’s funny. I distinctly remember that brand advertising every single bag as genuine leather. If yours is fake, then either you’ve been scammed, or the company’s committing fraud. And aren’t you… their brand ambassador?”

Gianna nearly choked on her own anger. She knew Amelia had baited her perfectly.

Now she was cornered. As the official spokesperson, she had to uphold the brand’s reputation at all costs.

Of course, the bags were genuine leather, but she had just blurted out that hers was fake. How could she possibly recover from that slip?

She couldn’t insult the brand—that would ruin her career and possibly cost her damages.

This was a nightmare, all thanks to that infuriating Amelia.

It was a trap, and Amelia had sprung it flawlessly.

Gianna forced out a shaky response, “Of course the official promos are accurate. I just misspoke, that’s all. Anyway, aren’t we supposed to be selling fish here?”

She spun the conversation around desperately, hoping to divert attention before her carefully crafted image shattered completely.

Meanwhile, the livestream chat exploded with reactions.

[Gianna just shot herself in the foot.]

[So crocodile skin is fine, but gutting fish is cruel? Classic double standards.]

[She apologized already. Why are you all dragging this? Poor Gianna, stay away from reality TV, it’s beneath you.]

[Hey, brand reps—did you hear that? Your ambassador just admitted your products are fake.]

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