Love in the Limelight (Astrid and Elio)

Maddox's irritation was boiling over, because he knew Joana had only succeeded with her little stunt because she had the backing of the production crew.

In a swift motion, Maddox flicked on his flashlight and beamed it towards the commotion, revealing Joana gnawing on a chicken drumstick right in the line of sight of everyone.

Online viewers stared at the screen, watching the woman scarf down her food like there was no tomorrow, and were at a loss for words.

[Holy smokes, this chick!"

[Screenshot this, man! Let's show her what goes around comes around.]

[Where are all those who were bashing me for backing Astar? Don't you play dead now-come out and apologize!]

[I was just starting to like her a bit.]

[Maddox is legit mad, huh? Joana's toast now, no one's saving her.]

Joana was dumbstruck; she never thought Maddox would actually track her down here. Sᴇaʀch Thᴇ ꜰindNʘvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

By the time she realized something was off, Maddox was already storming up to her, fury written all over his face.

"Mr. Maddox," Joana quivered, attempting to bluff her way out, "I was just so hungry, I thought I'd sneak away for a quick bite, that's all. I didn't mean to cause any trouble, I'm sorry, Mr. Maddox, I was just trying to have a little snack in secret."

Maddox retorted, "Have a little snack in secret? Joana, take a good look at me. Do I look like a fool to you?"

Joana was at a loss for words, her mouth greasy and chicken-flavored, making for an awkward sight.

Maddox said, "Joana, my show isn't satisfying for you, as it's not fit for a socialite like you. You're free to leave now. I'll make sure to pay you every bit of the agreed price. Please leave our program."

At hearing this, Joana's eyes immediately welled up with tears. "Maddox, I'm sorry, truly. Please, let me stay."

"Joana, your attempt to manipulate my team and me for publicity through the show is rather low. Not only will you leave, but your bodyguards and cameramen will leave as well. My platform isn't vast enough to accommodate all of you. Don't act like you were wronged. It would be a cinch to dig up the evidence. I just didn't want to humiliate you in front of all your fans. You should leave tonight."

With those final words, Maddox turned and walked away.

Joana felt her world implode. Why did it have to turn out this way?

Whoever advised her surely said that if she got caught, all she had to do was cry and tell Maddox she just wanted something to eat, and she wouldn't be in trouble, right?

Why didn't Maddox ask for her side of the story, and just kicked her out on the spot? What went wrong?

As Joana tried to reach for Maddox, her eyes caught Astrid yawning casually nearby.

Suddenly, it dawned on her-Astrid was a hacker. It must have been her who dug up everything, leading Maddox to be so steadfast in kicking her out!

Her carefully crafted plan to clean up her image had crashed and burned before it even took flight!

It was all Astrid's fault!

"Astrid, what did I ever do to you?" Joana blurted out, causing the online crowd to erupt.

Comments started rolling.

[OMG, Joana's trying to pick a fight with Astar? How dare she!]

[This woman's classic-'I'm not wrong, you're wrong for exposing the truth!']

[Boycott any show with Joana in it from now on!]

[Maddox must have spoken the truth, or Joana would have defended herself.]