The next morning was tense in a different way.
They all felt it: the weight of the day. It hung in the air like pressure before a storm. Breakfast was quieter. Even the birdsong seemed muted. No one laughed. No one teased. The cameras—now undeniably aware and present—followed every movement.
The producers weren't hiding anymore. The game was in motion.
In the center of the villa courtyard, a new structure had been set up overnight—a sleek white cabana with mirrored windows. At first glance, it looked like a luxury feature. But it sat like a monolith in the middle of their space, sterile and imposing.
Darius was the first to recognize its true purpose. "Confessional chamber."
Avery nodded, confirming. "Classic containment design. One entry, no feedback loop. Designed to isolate."
At 9:00 a.m. sharp, the announcement came.
