Mirabe''s social feed was as barren as a desert, with just one lone post from when she hit up the Riverdale fair, scarfing down a bowl of noodles.


    When Hans clicked on it, he half-expected the usual teen stuff-selfies, sunsets, and hashtag squad goals. But nope, it was just a foodie pic with no caption, leaving him to shoot her a look that was half bemused, half puzzled.


    Catching his odd nce, Mirabe tilted her head, confusion written all over her face.


    Hans, faced with her wide-eyed look, just chuckled and held back thement, "You''re not quite like other girls, are you?" He didn''t want to make her feel out of ce.


    After Mirabe and Hans exchanged Messenger IDs, it was only natural that Leo followed suit, and soon their phones were pocketed away.


    That left Heather and Michelle awkwardly sidelined. Heather, in particr, wasn''t used to being dismissed like yesterday''s news.


    Sure, she had no interest in friending the sibling duo or getting their digits, butmon courtesy dictated at least a token inquiry in the presence of others, right? Even if it was just for show.


    And let''s be real-Hans might''ve been a household name once, but Heather''s star power currently outshone his like a supernova.


    These siblings clearlycked basic social graces.


    With no cameras around, Heather didn''t bother faking friendliness. She just curled her lip and sashayed back into the house, eager to escape theirpany.


    Michelle, itching to add Juztin on Messenger but stymied by her cousin''s mood, gave Hans a curt nod and followed Heather inside.


    Mirabe barely spared them a nce before looking away.


    Hans cleared his throat, "You know, stars gotta strut their stuff. Don''t take it to heart."


    He wasn''t Heather''s biggest fan either-her airs and graces rubbed him the wrong way—but her influential family meant she wasn''t someone to cross.


    Mirabe gave a knowing nod, "Got it."


    "By the way, I don''t think I caught your full names," Hans smoothly changed the subject.


    "I''m Mirabe. You know, like ''vanished without a trace''," she said, unbothered by the reveal, and gestured to her brother, "And this is Leo, as in ''luck be with you''."


    Leo, Juztin, names with roots and stories all their own.


    Hans nodded, "Your secret''s safe with me."


    "It''s no big deal, just a name," Mirabe murmured, almost dismissively.


    ncing towards the house, Hans offered a friendly word of caution, "The Pledger n are no pushovers; you and your brother should watch your backs. I''ll head inside."


    It was the second mention of the Pledger family, and as Hans retreated, Mirabe pondered his words. About to speak to Leo, she was cut off as he voiced his thoughts first.


    "Don''t sweat it, sis. The Pledger family''s bark is worse than their bite," Leo stood tall, his cool demeanorced with disdain.


    He didn''t seem to care about the Pledger reputation.


    Mirabe''s thoughts drifted to a previous conversation where Leo let slip about ''the vast Davis family holdings.''


    Right on cue, the Gabriel brothers arrived, and the moment passed without further discussion.


    At ten on the dot, the live stream kicked into gear.


    The host delivered an enthusiastic spiel to the cameras before diving into the day''s challenge-home makeovers.


    The guests paired off into teams, tasked with revamping two houses. What they''d transform them into was anyone''s guess, armed only with the tools provided by the show.


    It was shaping up to be the most challenging episode yet.