Love in the Limelight (Astrid and Elio)
Chapter 517

Karin cradled her face in her hands and watched intently as Astrid sat beside her, whittling away at a piece of wood. In just a short while, Astrid had transformed the raw material into a beautiful little figurine. Lacking proper sanding tools, the miniature was riddled with splinters, and Astrid's hands were marked with tiny cuts, a smattering of blood marring the otherwise smooth surface of the wood.

But the carving was stunning, so much so that it could put some professional craftsmen to shame.

Parrish couldn't contain his excitement. "Astar, this is a masterpiece! Carve a few more of these, and I'll sell them for you. We'll make a fortune!"

"No way! You think she doesn't get tired to make so many?" Nathan glared at Parrish, who quickly shrank away, knowing when to pick his battles.

In the past, Mr. Lampard had been Astrid's protector. Now with Nathan in the picture, both men were forces to be reckoned with.

Astrid glanced at the blood-stained carving and suggested to Karin, "It's dirty now. Maybe I'll make you another one later."

"No need, it's just a little blood. I love it just the way it is," Karin replied, clutching the tiny sculpture as if it were a precious treasure, while Parrish wondered why Astrid would give a gift to Karin. He wasn't the only one puzzled. Audiences online were also asking, [Why is Astrid giving Karin something?]

[Karin asked Astrid for it. Astrid couldn't just say no.]

[But it's clear Astrid doesn't like her. Why give her a gift?]

[Yeah, and that woman flirted with Mr. Lampard one minute, cozied up to Clyde the next, and now in an attempt to charm Parrish. She can't be trusted, and yet Astrid gives her a gift? It makes no sense!] [Let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe Astrid's relationship with her isn't as bad as we think. Let's not stir the pot.]

Playing with the little sculpture, Karin accidentally pricked her finger on a splinter, but she didn't pay it much mind.

The next morning, as dawn barely broke the night's hold, Karin felt a sharp pain running through her left arm. Sitting up, she rolled up her sleeve to investigate, but there was nothing visibly wrong. Remembering the prick from Astrid's gift the night before, a cold sweat broke out across her skin.

This was all Astrid's cunning plan!

Astrid knew of her love for wood carvings and had deliberately crafted the sculpture to catch her eye. The blood on her hands wasn't an accident. Astrid had purposely contaminated the carving! Her blood must be poisonous, and now the toxin would be coursing through her veins from the puncture wound!

Astrid was devious beyond belief.

If not for the antidote, she might have met her demise at Astrid's hands!

Peering at the others in the group, all seemingly deep in slumber.

Karin stealthily reached into her bag and pulled out the antidote disguised in a soda bottle. If the live-stream audiences caught a glimpse, they'd think she was sneaking a drink, nothing more. Just as Karin was about to open the bottle, Astrid's voice pierced the silence, "Hey, Karin, what's with the secret stash of soda?"

Caught off guard by Astrid, Karin faltered her composure. "Oh, I just hid a little bit away."

"I'm quite fond of that brand too. Mind if I have a sip? I've been craving a good soda ever since we hit the trails," Astrid said, batting her eyelashes innocently, leaving Karin flustered and at a loss under her seemingly mocking gaze.