Simplify the following text for a Grade 11 native English-speaking person.
Original: In the next reward challenge , where family and loved ones of the contestants were brought to the islands , Jon had conspired weeks before with his best friend to present the tale of a `` dead grandmother '' , hoping to use it to gain sympathy .
Simplified: In the next reward challenge , where family and loved ones of the players were brought to the islands , Jon had planned weeks before with his best friend to play the story of a `` dead grandmother '' , hoping to use it to gain sympathy .