Love in the Limelight (Astrid and Elio)

Chapter 513

"Sure thing," Naylor led the way, his strides confident despite the rain. After a short trek, he gestured to NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.

the group, "This spot's good for taking cover."

The place wasn't exactly roomy, but it was enough to dodge the downpour for a while.

The rain was relentless, hammering down so hard that the live stream was glitching, the audio cutting

in and out.

Everyone scattered to gather firewood, and Elio was the first to return.

Karin caught sight of him and couldn't help but call out, "Leo, do you despise me that much?"

"I wouldn't call it despise. I'd just rather not see you, that's all." Elio turned to face her, his words

deliberate, "What are you doing here?"

Karin's lips pressed together under his gaze, "My agent booked this gig for me. It wasn't my choice.

Leo, I didn't mean for things to go down the way they did back then. After all these years, can't you find

it in you to forgive me?"

"Don't bring up the past, and don't call me Leo. The only reason I'm even speaking to you calmly is to

avoid screwing up this show. Step out of line, or I'll make sure you're out of the entertainment industry

within a week." Elio said coldly.

Karin tightened her grip involuntarily and was about to speak, but no words came out.

The audience couldn't hear what was being said, but they watched the exchange with rapt attention.

Based on Karin's expression, the fans' imaginations ran wild. [Holy smokes, did Karin and Mr. Lampard

have a fling back in the day? Wasn't she supposed to be like his sister in name?]

[She seemed to be about to cry.]

[There's no blood relation between them. A youthful fling is totally normal, right?]

[Pfft, Mr. Lampard is my Astar's. She better stay away from him!]

[Listen, women have a sixth sense about these things. She's got the same vibe as Bernice. I've got a

bad feeling about this.]

[But don't just assume Karin is bad because she reminds you of someone else. That's not fair.]

[Are Astrid's fans a cult or something? So quick to label someone else, as if Astrid's the only decent

woman out there.]

[I can't even with you people. Astar gets dragged through the mud by these toxic trolls, and when we

defend her, we're the cult?]

The fans were seething, and just then, Astrid returned.

As the signal stabilized, bits and pieces of the conversation became audible, though it was still patchy.

Astrid sensed the tension between Elio and Karin and asked, "What's going on here?"

"It's nothing, Astrid. I just brought up some stuff about Leo's childhood, and he got a bit upset," Karin

said with a gentle smile, her lips tight. "Thanks for the medicine, by the way. I took my temperature, and

the fever's broken."

"Glad you're feeling better." Astrid placed the wood she'd gathered to the side, her face unreadable.

Elio, concerned that Astrid might get the wrong idea, crouched beside her and whispered, "Astrid,

about her and me..."

"I know she's your sister in name," Astrid cut in, leaving both Elio and Karin stunned.

Karin looked at Astrid in surprise, "How did you know that? I've never mentioned my connection to the

Lampard family. Hardly anyone knows."

Astrid was cool and collected to reply, "It's not a state secret. If someone wants to find out, they can."