Novel Update
Chapter 542
Chapter 542
Odell stood awkwardly to the side, feeling like a third wheel.
The rest of the crew in the studio shared his look of utter confusion. To them, Shirley had always been
the epitome of grace and intelligence, but the Shirley before them now... she was a spitting image of a
fangirl in full swoon.
Linda bit her lip and turned to leave, only to catch Mamie and others snickering at her expense.
Recalling the words she'd just exchanged with them, Linda's embarrassment deepened. She hadn't
even stayed for the photo shoot; she just walked out.
That afternoon, Shirley tweeted, "Fangirl dream achieved with Astar," tagging Astrid, and sharing a
selfie with the two of them.
Astrid tweeted back, also sharing the photo.
In no time at all, Twitter was ablaze, and comments flooded in,
"Nobody can resist Astar's charm, not even the venerable Shirley!"
"Thank you for your support, ma'am!"
"Astrid's just a newbie, grateful for the guidance!"
"Big thanks for letting us see Astar's selfie in our lifetime."
"Great minds flock together, it seems."
"Can't wait to see these two collaborate."
Bernice was sitting on her balcony, feeling a breeze, when the buzz hit social media. Her hand
trembled as she gripped her phone, barely able to contain her emotions.
She thought she'd have an easy time taking Astrid down, but instead, Astrid's popularity was
skyrocketing.
Shirley was a respected actress, with a good eighty percent of the industry referring to her as the NôvelDrama.Org holds text © rights.
mentor. Her public display of affection for Astrid was a bad sign for Bernice.
Her phone vibrated with an unknown number. She hesitated before answering, "Hello?"
"Ms. Bernice, I've made contact with Aster," Jay's voice came through.
Bernice asked, "Are you sure? There's no issue with Aster's identity?"
Jay assured her, "No, ma’am. He's definitely male—voice, looks, gestures, all check out. He even
removed his mask in front of me, nothing strange."
Bernice pressed, "So, you've settled your business?"
Jay replied, "Yes, its all set. Plus, he sent me an email today claiming he's dug up some dirt on Astrid.
Should we start prepping?"
Bernice, eyes glinting with ruthlessness, drained her glass of red wine and responded, "Don't
disappoint me this time."
Jay promised, "There won't be any surprises."
An hour later, a notorious gossip blogger teased, "Hot reality TV starlet, bombshell scoop in hand, tune
in at 9 PM."
This blogger had exposed numerous celebrity scandals before, only making a peep when there was
something substantial.
The teaser set the internet on fire, "Astrid?"
"No way, just as she's rising, she gets slammed?"
"My Astar, what could possibly be the scoop?"
"Given the clue, it's gotta be Astrid, right? Oh, the thrill!"
"Astar can't catch a break from these trolls, can she?"
Normally, Chad and his crew would be all over this, suppressing the gossip. But at the moment, they
were all lounging comfortably at Astrid's place, engrossed in poker hands.
"Full house!" Chad triumphantly laid down his cards, sure no one could beat it, when Astrid casually
dropped a bomb.
Chad's face fell, "C'mon, Chief, you're not playing fair! Where's the fun if you keep cheating?"
Astrid, with a lazy glance, retorted, "Pay up!"
Reluctantly, Chad and Hank handed over the cash, and Hank asked, "Chief, did you get Jay's thing
ready?"
Astrid arched an eyebrow, "Of course. To show my sincerity, I even recorded a little video."
Chad and Hank exchanged knowing looks, already mourning for Jay.