Love in the Limelight

Chapter 95
When Astrid spoke, all heads turned towards Fannie.
Fannie sat there nervously, her face painted with an awkward yet polite smile.
If she could, she’d love to jump up and lash out at Astrid. But she had to keep her cool in public.
Clearly, Astrid knew that Fannie had intentionally set her up to be called on stage, and now she was trying to embarrass her.
She and Noreen usually chatted over WhatsApp; how the heck did Astrid learn about this?
Does Astrid have some sort of psychic power or something?
Noreen, clueless about the real deal, thought that Fannie and Astrid were actual buddies, so she quickly handed a microphone
to Fannie.
Staring at the microphone in front of her, Fannie didn’t know whether to take it or not.
Seeing everyone’s eyes on her, she finally took the microphone and managed to say with a forced smile. “Don’t thank me; it’s
your talent that’s making everyone’s jaws drop.” Astrid retorted. “Quit playing modest; if it weren’t for your heads up to the host,
my low profile wouldn’t have caught anyone’s eye!”
The moment these words came out, Elio and Orion’s faces dropped.
Every charity gala would invite people onstage and they were always some big-shot celebs. It was weird when the host called
Astrid, but now it all clicked.
So it was Fannie who was up to no good.
She wanted to set up Astrid but ended up shooting herself in the foot.
Astrid said a few words on stage and then stepped down.
The crowd erupted in applause and Astrid graciously acknowledged it with a smile.
She was composed and balanced, neither arrogant nor inferior.

Locke trailed behind her like a little sidekick, his face plastered with a goofy grin, looking like a total dork. “I’m Locke; can I get
your autograph?”
Astrid chuckled, “Sure thing.”
The moment she said that, Locke immediately shed his coat and let Astrid sign his white shirt.
Locke got the autograph and treasured it like a prized possession. He returned to his seat with a straight back, afraid to touch the
signature on his back.
His antics stirred laughter from the crowd.
Just as Astrid stepped off the stage, a middle-aged man approached with a smile, “Ms. Irvine, I’m Otto, a director. Can we have a
private chat?”
Since the gala was ongoing, Otto gestured for Astrid to move aside to avoid disturbing the event.
Astrid recognized him; he was one of her favorite directors.
“Sure, lead the way.” Astrid graciously stepped aside, letting Otto take the lead.
Seeing her politeness, Otto’s impression of her improved further.
Upon reaching the emergency exit, Otto immediately handed Astrid his business card, “Ms. Irvine, I have a movie project about
magic that I’ve been planning for two years but haven’t found the right leading lady. After watching your performance today, I
think you’re a perfect fit. So, I’d like to invite you for an audition.”
Otto was a responsible director who had discovered many new talents. He always judged each actor without bias. Astrid might
not be a big name, but everyone starts somewhere, right?