[Hahaha, looks like some real drama is about to unfold!]
[Show is really bold. Two covers in one issue? Are they officially encouraging fan wars now?]
A few casual comments in, and Daisy Baker's fans quickly flooded in to take control, all unanimously praising her beauty and ignoring Bonnie Wesley altogether, as if she wasn't even worth mentioning.
Some with sharper tongues even threw shady remarks:
"Seriously, where do these randoms get the courage to say the magazine's encouraging fan wars? What qualifications does Bonnie Wesley even have to be compared with our superstar? Oh, and by the way, does she even have fans anymore?"
"LMAO the comment above got me! That's exactly what I was wondering too. A nobody like Bonnie thinks she's in the same league as Daisy? Girl, please, trying to cling to the stars now?"
"Wasn't Bonnie off playing CEO? Why is she still clinging to the industry and causing a mess every day? She's exhausting!"
"When it comes to editorial shoots, your girl Daisy has never lost!"
"That high-end face isn't just hype. As a bystander, I'm team Daisy all the way. Bonnie should seriously take a few steps back. This is getting embarrassing."
…
Under the magazine's official post, it was a sea of pro-Daisy comments. Bonnie was being dragged relentlessly. Even the rare voices suggesting Daisy might be over-marketing her "high-end look" and that Bonnie wasn't that bad were drowned out by the overwhelming fan control, no likes, no visibility.
Bonnie read through the comments in silence, then calmly set her phone down and ignored the rest.
…
Soon, the day of the cover shoot arrived.
Bonnie stepped into the magazine building in high heels. A male assistant was waiting at the entrance and quickly approached her.
"Miss Wesley, welcome. Please follow me."
The place was buzzing with staff. As soon as Bonnie walked in, she spotted Daisy Baker's team. Daisy herself was wearing a robe, tall and slender, with sharp, distinctive features. She had an elegant air—not traditionally beautiful, but uniquely striking.
Their eyes met for a few seconds before Daisy smiled and greeted her,
"Bonnie, it's been a while."
Everyone around immediately turned their attention to them, watching closely for Bonnie's reaction.
Bonnie looked at her for a moment, then curved her lips into a bright smile.
"Yeah... it's been a while. How have you been?"
Unlike the curated elegance Daisy portrayed, Bonnie was the real deal, a natural beauty with striking features and a killer figure. When she smiled, the room collectively held its breath. It was electric, almost unnerving.
"Is this what a goddess looks like in real life?"
"Did a fairy just descend to earth?"
Daisy's gaze darkened slightly, but she exchanged a few more polite words before turning back to her team to discuss styling.
There were two concepts prepared for the shoot, retro style and sexy style. The two women were to embody entirely different aesthetics, though it hadn't yet been decided who would take which.
Stirring the pot a little, the stylist asked,
"Miss Wesley, Miss Baker, have you two decided which style you'd prefer?"
Daisy's team immediately jumped in with a laugh,
"I think the retro style look would suit Daisy best."
The stylist turned to Bonnie.
"Then Miss Wesley, you'll take the sexy style?"
It was a setup.
Everyone knew sexy style looks could easily slip into tacky if not handled well, especially for someone like Bonnie who had a cool, fairy-like beauty. It would feel out of place. On the other hand, Daisy had long branded herself with that 'high-end face'. The retro style played directly into her strength. Even if the shoot didn't go perfectly, she'd still come out unscathed.
And now that Daisy's team had spoken first, any objection from Bonnie would look like petty disagreement. Fuel to the rumor that their "bestie bond" was broken. Given how fragile public opinion was right now, one wrong move and Bonnie would be labeled the troublemaker.
The stylist was ready for some drama, but the next second, she watched the wealthy fairy-like Bonnie casually tuck her hair behind her ear and say with saccharine sarcasm, "Sure, if Daisy likes the retro style, I won't compete with her. I'll take the sexy style instead. I don't really have a preference anyway. After all, I look good in everything."
After. All. I. Look. Good. In. Everything.
The stylist nearly burst out laughing.
She stole a glance at Daisy, only to see her expression instantly turn sour.
Bonnie is savage! The stylist had no idea she was this entertaining. Throwing shade without a single swear word, iconic.
If she were Daisy, she'd be dying to claw that angelic face right now.
She glanced again at Bonnie, who smiled at her with a gentle, innocent expression, completely unbothered.
The stylist: …I'm a fan now!
After settling the styles, the two were taken to the makeup room. It was spacious, so the two fake besties weren't separated. They made small talk now and then, but it was mostly Bonnie doing the talking. Daisy sat there with a stiff face and visibly foul mood.
"Ugh…"
During hair and makeup, a junior assistant accidentally tugged Daisy's hair, prompting her to snap, "Can't you be more careful?!"
"I'm so sorry!" the assistant quickly apologized.
Bonnie, eyes smiling, said gently, "It's a bit hot today. Easy to get irritated. I've arranged for some cold drinks and desserts.Let's have a bite and take a breather."
Cheers erupted. The assistant breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Bonnie with gratitude.
Daisy's expression turned colder.
Ken came in carrying multiple large bags. Someone caught sight of the label and gasped, "Is that from Royal Pastry?"
Everyone was shocked.
Royal Pastry's desserts were notoriously expensive, and the owner only made twelve sets a day, no more. Even if you had money, you couldn't always buy them. Lately, it had become a flex among young people to get a taste of Royal Pastry. And here Bonnie was casually handing them out?
Her voice was sweet and cheerful: "As long as you're enjoying them."
Everyone: Being rich is amazing!! Bonnie is amazing!!
Daisy clenched her fists and shot her assistant a cold look.
Work resumed after the treat, but clearly, everyone was much warmer toward Bonnie now. Grateful and charmed, the stylists and crew put in extra effort with her makeup and styling.
Soon, Daisy's assistant also brought in a bunch of treats and cheerfully said, "Daisy wants to treat everyone too!"
The team responded with polite cheers, but hardly anyone actually ate anything. With the Royal Pastry desserts having set the bar so high, Daisy's offerings though elegant, but just didn't quite measure up.
Daisy noticed and ground her teeth in frustration.
Bonnie's look required more intricate styling. Daisy, already done, changed outfits and headed to the set first. Online buzz praised her fashion sense and high-end visuals, and she seemed confident, not even sparing Bonnie a glance on her way out. As if determined to crush her with sheer skill.
Once Bonnie's look was finished, she picked up her dress and entered the changing room. By then, Daisy and her team had completed their shoot, leaving only the magazine crew behind.
The door to the changing room clicked softly.
When Bonnie emerged with the gown in hand, everyone stopped what they were doing.
Their eyes locked onto her, unmoving.
Not a single word was spoken.