The online program “Shopping Face-to-Face” wasn’t your typical shopping show. Instead of focusing on televised sales, it invited celebrities to discuss their shopping habits and share personal recommendations with the audience. The show aimed to help viewers make better purchase decisions, covering topics like choosing skincare products for sensitive skin.
Initially, the show struggled to gain traction. However, after introducing a new segment where they investigated extreme negative reviews on online stores, its popularity skyrocketed. In this segment, the team mediated disputes between buyers and sellers, with both parties agreeing to appear on camera.
The unique concept sparked heated discussions online. Some criticized the show for invading buyers’ privacy by tracking them down using their shipping information. However, those concerns were mitigated when viewers realized the show only featured participants who agreed to be filmed, blurring the faces of those who declined.
The controversies only fueled the show’s growing fan base, and its ratings soared.
One day, “Shopping Face-to-Face” received a commission from Chloe Beauty Clinic. The clinic asked for assistance in resolving a dispute with a customer who had left a scathing review about their acne cream.
The beauty clinic offered to cover the costs of testing the customer’s claims. If it turns out that their product was responsible for the alleged facial damage, they promise compensation of up to one million dollars.
The million-Dollars compensation became a major talking point, drawing significant public attention to this particular episode.
Using information provided by the clinic, the production team discovered that the buyer had recently placed another order for herbal bath packets.
The team tracked the address to a high-end residential complex. Upon arrival, they had the courier call the buyer.
The buyer turned out to be a young woman, around 20 years old.
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The buyer quickly signed for the delivery and headed upstairs. The production team followed her, and as soon as she opened the door, she froze in surprise and asked, “Who are you?”
“Hello, we’re from “Shopping Face-to-Face”. May I ask if you purchased an acne cream from the Chloe online store, left a negative review, and posted a complaint about the seller on the Beauty forum?”
The buyer froze, looking panicked, and tried to avoid the camera. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Miss, we’re here sincerely to communicate with you.”
The host observed her for a moment and was somewhat surprised. The buyer’s face was flawless—smooth and radiant, entirely different from the claims made online. Not only was there no sign of acne, but her skin was also glowing, making the accusations of “ruined skin” seem impossible.
The buyer stepped back inside, and the host thought the investigation might hit a dead end. But then, another woman emerged from the room.
“Gina, who is it? Why is it so noisy?”
That voice…
The host froze for a moment before exclaiming, “Olivia?”
Olivia was equally stunned. She had appeared on this show before and recognized the host. Seeing the camera, she immediately realized the implications. Trying to leave might backfire, so she forced a smile. “Long time no see.”
“Olivia? Is this your sister? So, was the forum post written by her?”
Olivia broke into a cold sweat. She had indeed asked Gina to post the negative review and intended to sabotage Sophia’s online store. The plan seemed to be working—sales had plummeted over the past few days, which secretly pleased her.
Initially, Olivia hadn’t known about Sophia’s online store. But after visiting Chloe’s beauty clinic and overhearing chatter about live streams, she discovered Sophia’s products were selling exceptionally well. She did some calculations and realized the daily sales figures were enough to make her jealous.
How could she tolerate Sophia living such a good life? Olivia quickly devised a scheme, instructing her cousin Gina to post the damaging review.
Who would have thought Shopping Face-to-Face would pick up on the matter and expose her?
And how was it that the cameras had caught her in person?
Already burdened with negative press, Olivia couldn’t afford to become a laughingstock again.
Feigning a smile, Olivia said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Gina is just my cousin. What post are you referring to?”
The host’s gaze turned skeptical, clearly doubting the story. She found it hard to believe that an ordinary individual could write such a professionally damaging post.
“Miss Gina, did you previously have acne on your face?”
