“Before we get started,” Jewel began, “I want to say congratulations to the winners of The Cruelest Jewel—Luna and Alex, who impressively figured out the nonsensical poem. As promised, you are one million dollars richer.”

“We want to share it,” Luna said quickly. She didn’t look any worse for wear.

“Yeah,” Alex said. “We wouldn’t have figured out anything without everyone else. They deserve the money too.”

“I have no problems with that.” Jewel glanced around the table. “Congratulations. You are all collectively one million dollars richer.”

Nicole picked up the fancy pen, weighing it in her hand—Stella was there again to stop her, gently pushing her wrist to the table and shaking her head.

“I’d also like to extend a special thank-you to my staff and security team, who brilliantly played their parts as instructed.” Jewel clapped for them. “You may go now.”

As they filed out, Ethan and Olive walked in, heading straight for the empty chairs at Jewel’s side, just like they did when they had first arrived at the house. Jewel leaned forward, placing her elbow on the table and her chin on the back of her hand. “The cameras are off. No one knows what’s happening right now.” Jewel looked at Luna. “Your forum is currently on fire. Everyone is burning to know what happened when you walked through that door.”

Luna nodded. “I figured that.”

“That part will still stand.” Jewel addressed the table again. “As you’ve discovered, past Golden Weekends weren’t anything like this. There wasn’t any competition. We talked to coaches, spent time figuring out what they were truly passionate about, what kind of impact they wanted to leave behind as their legacy, and then I gave them everything they needed to get started with three caveats. One: To pay it forward. Two: They had to stop using Golden Rule. Three: They could never talk about what happened. If they broke the rules, there would be consequences.”

“Why?” Luna asked, and then immediately winced. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt. It’s just that we could never figure out that part. Why did they have to leave Golden Rule?”

“Because I love symbolism.”

Stella snorted.

“My app,” Jewel continued, throwing an irritated glare at Stella, “had become a safe haven. No bullying. No threats. No hate. Anything and everything we wanted community and reality to be. Leaving the app meant it was time to face the real world and do their part to fix it. Now, it’s time for me to do the same.”

Luna gasped in alarm.

“It’s okay,” Olive promised. “Just hold on.”