Love in the Limelight Novel

Chapter 20
Astrid had a hunch last night that Sandra was the one who torched her house to force her to return. And now, it seemed she was
right.
After years apart, Astrid never thought Sandra would go batshit crazy enough to commit arson.
Who knew what kind of dirty tricks Sandra had up her sleeve to get the Irvine family’s business where it was today.
Astrid said, “Over my dead body, Sandra. I’m not marrying Colton. If you’re so eager to tie the knot with the Fortner family, why
not marry off Lucinda?”
To which Sandra replied, “Astrid, are you still dreaming of being an actress? If you don’t show up at the engagement party
tonight, I’ll spill all your dirty laundry to the media. You owe us, and if you don’t pay up, I’ll make your life a living hell.”
Astrid knew all about Sandra’s dirty tactics. This time, Sandra was just trying to drag her to the engagement party. But Astrid had
a plan. If Sandra came after her, she would go to the Fortner family’s old house first, call off the engagement, and give Sandra a
heart attack.
Astrid got out of the car. It looked like she was checking her phone, but she was actually scoping out the surroundings.
She spotted a black van with a masked man standing by, who was eyeing her, looking all suspicious. Astrid pretended not to
notice and kept walking with her eyes glued to her phone.
Just as she suspected, when she passed by the van, a group of burly men jumped out and pulled her into the vehicle.
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She turned around and saw Sandra’s smug face. “My dear daughter, did you actually think a few years abroad would make you
better than me? You think I’d put up with you for all these years if it wasn’t for your pretty face?‘
Astrid was thrilled. She didn’t expect Sandra to make her move this soon. Sandra, oblivious to Astrid’s plan, gave a nod to one of
the men in the car. He covered Astrid’s mouth and nose with a rag soaked in some knockout drug. Astrid held her breath/
pretended to struggle for a while, then played possum.
Thinking Astrid had passed out, Sandra told the man to let her go.

At the Lampard family mansion, Elio was about to leave when Wylle rushed over with an envelope. “Mr. Lampard, an Invitation
from the Fortner family.
Elio said, ‘Chuck it.”
Wylie hesitated, “Mr. Lampard, wouldn’t it be rude not to attend?‘
“Didn’t you hear me? Chuck it!” Elio raised his voice, clearly Irritated.
Seeing his reaction, Wylle’didn’t dare to press further and threw the invitation into the trash bin.
Elio had to drive himself as the driver went to pick up Astrid. Just as Elio was pulling out, Wylle ran over in a panic, waving the
Invitation. “Mr. Lampard, we’ve got a situation!”
Ello frowned, “What happened?”
Wylle explained, Mr. Lampard, the driver who was supposed to pick up Astrid called. He said as soon as he dropped her off at
the company, she was taken away by force. He followed them to the Sunset Holiday Hotel. That’s where the Fortner family’s
second son is having his engagement party today!”
A chill ran down Elio’s spine. He snatched the invitation from Wylie, unfolded it, and found Astrid’s name.
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Before Wylie could finish, Elio hit the gas, and the car zoomed out of the driveway. The car was going so fast It knocked over the
trash can outside.
!