While the participants were mentally preparing for the upcoming challenge, Karina was conducting careful and deliberate preparations. From the participants’ files, she learned all of Alina’s phobias. The most destructive to her psyche was the fear of fire. Karina’s idea was simple: stage a fire flash, cause panic, so that Maxim would save Alina and become her unconditional hero. As soon as everything was ready, Karina met with Maxim in a secluded corner of the garden.

— The burners will be disguised under the rock, — Karina quietly explained, sipping lemonade. — It will cause intense panic. You must act quickly, take control of the situation. This will be your moment to shine.

— Alina is mortally afraid of fire, — Maxim replied in a steady tone, showing no emotion. — Her reaction will be... unpredictable. Are you sure you’re not going too far?

— A man in love should always be ready to save his lady, shouldn’t he? — Karina smiled her predatory smile. — The audience loves drama and heroic acts. If you want her to be yours, you must become her absolute support.

Maxim was silent, contemplating. The simple plan reminded him of a scene from a romance novel. But in the context of the show, it could help him become the only one who could help and save her. He knew he was exposing Alina to risk and would exploit her phobia, but the temptation to become the only hero in her eyes outweighed his moral considerations.

— Fine. But I must be sure it’s safe. That the flame won’t get out of control.

— The technicians have thought of everything; it’s a controlled flash. Just an effect. Don’t worry, — Karina assured him.

— See you tomorrow then, — Maxim said, standing up. — I hope your plan works.

— It will work, Maxim. Just play your hero.

Eva wasn’t idle either. As night fell and everyone at the villa was asleep, she secretly crept to the cliff where the “Trust” challenge structure was set up. Using her charm, the girl found out from one of the show’s directors that Alina and Maxim would be the first to do the challenge. That was enough to start acting. Eva didn’t want to kill her rival; she just wanted her disqualified. Eva quickly reached the site, lighting her way with the dim screen of her phone. She felt adrenaline and excitement. It wasn’t fear talking, but the anticipation of the upcoming victory. Seeing the massive rope fixings for the “Vertical Trust,” she realized she couldn’t cut them.

“No, not death. Just an injury that will remove her from the show for medical reasons,” the thought flashed.

Eva found the main locking mechanism that was supposed to hold Alina’s and Maxim’s weight. With hands trembling from excitement but resolute, Eva used a knife to loosen the internal rope clamp. It only took her a few seconds. She did it deliberately carelessly so that the failure would look like a random technical malfunction, not deliberate sabotage. Satisfied with her “successful” crime, Eva quickly disappeared into the night. She didn’t suspect that her small sabotage, combined with Karina’s fire plan, would lead to a real catastrophe.

The next morning, the entire film crew gathered at the foot of the cliff. The sky was clear, the sea was calm, which only heightened the contrast with the drama that was about to unfold. Karina stood by the monitors, her professional smile unwavering, even when she met Maxim’s gaze.

— So, participants. The “Trust” challenge begins! Remember, not only the prize is at stake, but your sincerity too.

Climbing ropes were secured to Maxim and Alina. They were briefed. Maxim carefully checked Alina’s carabiners; his movements were focused and careful. A thick black blindfold was placed over Alina’s eyes. The world narrowed to Maxim’s voice and the sound of the wind.

Cameramen took their positions on the cliff ledges. The cameras lit their red lights. The show began.

Maxim approached Alina, his breath warmed her ear.

— Alina. Listen to me. We are going into the dark now, but I won’t let go of you. I am your eyes, your support, and your safety. Trust me, sun. We’re doing this together.

— I’m ready, — Alina’s voice was quiet, but there was no hesitation. Her desire to save her mother was stronger than any fear.

They took the first step of the descent synchronously.

In the control room, Alexei, grim and tense, watched the couple. He tried to read Alina’s facial expressions, but her face was perfectly composed. Suddenly, Alexei, glancing at the overall shots of the cliff, froze sharply. His eyes slid down to the narrow gorge at the foot. He saw them. Several metal stands with nozzles, skillfully camouflaged among the rocks. Gas burners.

— Karina! — his voice was so sharp that the directors in the control room flinched. — What the hell is that?

Karina turned to him, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

— Set dressing. An added effect. The audience loves drama.

— That’s not set dressing! Those are burners! You know what you’re doing! Alina is afraid of fire! — Alexei lunged for the exit, but Karina grabbed his hand, her fingers digging into his wrist.

— Stop. You’re not going anywhere, Lyosha. You’re the general producer, not a rescuer. The essence of this challenge is to show the couple’s interaction in a dangerous situation. Or do you want the whole country to see you stopping the show again?!

At that moment, Maxim and Alina began their descent.

— They are already too far to stop them, — Karina said, pointing at the monitor for Alexei. — The show is starting! Now! — her command sounded.

At the same instant, in the narrow gorge, a column of flame erupted with a loud hiss. A roar and a sudden, searing heat rose along the cliff. Feeling the heat of the fire on her skin, Alina screamed. Panic robbed her of the ability to think. She let go of the rope and desperately clung to Maxim. He was ready to receive her. Clasping Alina tightly with both arms, Maxim held her close. Now he needed to stabilize the situation, but he was too late. A piercing metallic screech rang out. Due to Eva’s sabotage, the rope, weakened and taking a double, sharp weight, slipped out of the lock. All participants and show organizers froze in horror.

— We’re falling! — Maxim’s cry echoed across the area.

Alexei, watching everything in the control room, saw the rope suddenly drop and the shot cut out.

— No! — Alexei instantly ran out and dashed to the edge of the cliff.

Below, he saw the falling couple. Maxim was trying to cling to the cliff to reduce the speed of the fall. They needed urgent help. Alexei had no time for safety gear. He grabbed a spare rope, tied to a support, and jumped after them. He didn’t climb down—he fell, his palms burned by the friction of the sliding rope. Blood, mixing with dirt, streamed down his hands. Despite the cutting pain, he continued to descend. A few seconds, and his arm tightly grasped Maxim below the chest. Trying to hold both of them, he swung sideways into the cliff. A strong impact of his back against the stones tore not only his shirt but also left ragged wounds on his skin. Alexei groaned from the sharp pain, but held the rope. They froze. All three of them. A few meters above the hissing flame.

Alina, trembling, ripped off her blindfold. Her eyes, full of terror, saw Maxim, who was still holding her, breathing heavily. And above him—Alexei. His face was strained with pain. Blood oozed from his palms, caused by the friction of the rope.

Maxim, gasping, wheezed:

— I told you... I wouldn’t let you fall.

Below, on the ground, a collective, stifled exhale was heard. The participants and film crew, frozen in absolute horror, finally released the air trapped in their chests. Cries from the technicians rang out from the platform: “Pull them up! Quick! Add safety lines!”

The only one who wasn’t rejoicing at the fortunate rescue was Eva. Noticing the look of displeasure on her face, Volodya rushed over to her and sharply pulled her aside, where no one could hear them. In his eyes, usually full of adoration, icy anger burned.

— Was this your doing?

— And if it was, so what? That bitch got off easy.

— How could you? — he hissed so quietly that only she could hear. — Do you realize that because of your jealousy you almost killed people?!

— They wouldn’t have died. Only slightly injured.

— Are you completely insane?

— You worry too much about the wrong person. That viper started the unfair game first. She got what she deserved.

— You’ve turned into a monster, Eva! — Volodya pushed her away. Disgust, worse than any curse, was reflected in his eyes. He, who was ready to fulfill her every whim, felt repulsion towards her for the first time.

Alina, reaching solid ground, immediately collapsed. Maxim knelt beside her, embracing her. Alexei stood over them. His hands were covered in bloody calluses, dirt was caked on his face. Seeing the blood on his hands, Alina felt guilty. He risked his life, despite seemingly hating her.

— Take them to the medical point! — Alexei commanded, his voice muffled and authoritative. — Filming is stopped. No one is eliminated today.

Karina watched from the monitor screen as Alexei turned and walked heavily away. She understood that she had lost. She not only failed to eliminate her rival, but she also made Alexei publicly perform an act of sacrifice that needed neither words nor a script.

— Did we save the footage? — she quietly asked the director.

— All of it. It was incredible material. A heroic scene.

— Excellent. At least some good came of it all.