Chapter 2

The "fancy ranch" for *Hollywood Family Fun* was a sprawling estate in Santa Ynez Valley, all weathered wood and panoramic views. Cameras, big and small, lurked everywhere. Drones buzzed overhead like metallic insects.

As our SUV crunched up the gravel driveway, I saw another pair of guests already there.

A guy, mid-twenties, tanned, tall, with a carefully constructed "effortlessly cool" vibe. Beside him, a girl, younger, dressed in athleisure, radiating impatience.

Leo tensed beside me.

"That's Chad," he muttered, voice low. "He was up for my part in *Starfleet Academy*. Came in second. Online, everyone says I stole it from him."

Ah. So that's how it was going to be. Manufactured drama from minute one.

We got out. Chad offered a practiced, charming smile. "Leo! Good to see you, man."

His voice was a little too loud, a little too friendly.

Leo, already jumpy from years of online abuse, practically bowed, extending a hand. "Hey, Chad. You too."

Even that tiny, conciliatory gesture didn't stop the live feed comments, which I could already imagine.

*"Poor Chad, having to share a screen with the talentless hack who ruined his career."*

*"Look at Leo groveling. Pathetic."*

*"Chad is a REAL actor. Leo just has a face."*

I kept my expression neutral, watching Chad. He finally turned to me, his smile dialed up to "blinding."

"You must be Leo's sister. I'm Chad. And this is my sister, Brittany."

Brittany, the girl in athleisure, gave me a once-over that felt like a contamination scan. She sniffed.

"Oh. Leo has a sister." Her tone suggested this was a deeply disappointing revelation.

Chad chuckled, a smooth, practiced sound. "Leo's pretty private about his family. Totally understandable."

Brittany's smirk widened. "Right. I guess if your brother got famous just for being pretty, you wouldn't want people looking too closely at the gene pool."

My eyebrows twitched. Just a little.

Leo stiffened, about to say something, probably an apology. I subtly placed a hand on his arm.

The online comments, I was sure, were lapping this up.

*"Brittany telling it like it is! LOL."*

*"Finally, someone says what we're all thinking about Leo's family."*

*"Probably a bunch of nobodies."*

During the awkward wait for other "celebrity families" to arrive, Chad and Brittany kept up a low hum of self-promotion, clearly aimed at us and the ever-present cameras.

"Brittany just won the State Championship for competitive cheerleading, you know," Chad announced, beaming like she'd cured cancer. "Division Three, but still, the dedication is unreal."

Brittany preened. "It's, like, a real sport. Not just waving pom-poms. The athleticism is insane. You probably wouldn't get it." She flicked her gaze at me.

"My goal is Nationals next year," she continued, flipping her ponytail. "Then maybe Worlds. It's all about pushing yourself."

The invisible online chorus:

*"Wow, Chad's sister is so accomplished!"*

*"Compare that to Leo, who just stands there looking pretty. And his sister who does... nothing?"*

*"This family is all talent. Unlike some others."*

Brittany was now detailing the intricacies of a "pike-and-tuck double backflip" or something equally thrilling.

I turned to Leo. "Could you grab me a water from the craft services table, please?"

Leo, ever obliging, nodded quickly and hurried off.

Once he was out of earshot, I turned my full attention back to the siblings. My face was impassive.

"Chad, right?"

He looked a bit surprised I was addressing him directly. "Yeah?"

"Your sister is a state champion cheerleader. Impressive." My voice was flat. "What about you? What are your titles? Awards? Besides 'runner-up for Leo's role in *Starfleet Academy*'?"

I pulled out my phone, tapping casually on the screen. "I did a quick search. Your IMDB is... concise. One supporting role in a show where my brother is the lead. If you had other major achievements, I'm sure your publicist would have plastered them everywhere."

Chad's smile faltered. His tan seemed to darken a shade.

I shifted my gaze to Brittany, who was now staring at me, mouth slightly open.

"State cheerleading champion? Which organization? What division, exactly? How many teams competed?" I asked, my tone still mild. "There are, by my last count, over fifty 'state-level' competitive cheerleading championships in California alone, many run by private companies with questionable accreditation. Some are smaller than a high school pep rally."

Brittany's jaw snapped shut. Her face went from smug to indignant.