Love in the Limelight (Astrid and Elio)

Karin noticed a certain frostiness in Astrid's demeanor and decided to keep silent.

Astrid was about to light the campfire with her lighter when Elio swiftly reached over and snatched it from her hands, "The smoke's a real beast, honey. Why don't you scoot over there a bit?" "Elio, are you trying to kill me? I'm already freezing my butt off, and now you want to turn me into an ice cube?" Astrid grumbled under her breath but obediently moved aside.

When she turned around, she found Karin's gaze fixed on her.

Karin hadn't expected Astrid to look back so suddenly, and their eyes clashed in an instant.

They were close. As Astrid stared at Karin, her eyes seemed to meld with those from an old photograph.

Bernice! The woman in the photograph had to be Bernice! S~ᴇaʀᴄh the FindNʘᴠᴇl.nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Considering the age of the photo and Karin's youth at the time, it could only be Bernice in that image.

But why would Bernice send a picture to the Lampard family?

With those cryptic words... could it be that Bernice and Matthew had some sort of past together?

It didn't add up.

A burst of coughing was heard. A waft of smoke drifted over, and Astrid was seized by a fit of coughing.

The rain had eased off, and she stepped outside to get some fresh air. Karin followed and asked, "Astrid, why were you staring at me like that?"

Astrid offered a light laugh, "You've got beautiful eyes. I just got a little lost in them, that's all."

"You're the beautiful one. People online say you've got the face of an angel. I'm quite envious of your pretty face," Karin responded with a smile. At the sight of Clyde and the others returning, she jogged over to help. "I'm so sorry for imposing again for dinner."

Clyde softened his tone upon seeing Karin's pale complexion, "You're sick and need to rest. Don't stay out in the cold."

Karin gave a small smile, "Okay, thanks, Clyde."

Astrid watched Karin from afar, her gaze growing more intense.

Karin's participation in the show was no coincidence.

The next morning, Astrid woke up feeling off. She stretched out her arm, which seemed normal, but was unbearably itchy.

Elio approached her as she scratched incessantly, "What's up? Something bothering you?"

"It's just my arm. It's itchy, but there's nothing there," Astrid said. She took a silver needle and pricked her arm to draw blood. Upon smelling the bead of blood that formed, her expression turned to stone. She glanced at the others who appeared unaffected and asked softly, "Anyone else's arm itchy?"

Parrish shook his head, "Nope. Why? What's wrong?"

"Astrid, are you feeling alright?" Naylor approached with concern.

"There's a problem." Pulling Elio's hand toward her, Astrid rolled up his sleeve and pricked him too, whispering, "Aren't you itchy?"

"Yeah, a bit, but it's bearable. Maybe we brushed up against some poisonous plants in the woods last night?" Elio murmured back.

Astrid was silent for a few seconds, then covered the mic and whispered to Elio, "We've been poisoned."

Elio darkened his eyes with realization.

Astrid was a master of poisons. Someone who used poison under her watchful eyes and struck their target without causing collateral damage was no small feat.

Parrish, at the sight of Astrid's grave expression, pressed anxiously, "What's going on, Astar? Speak up, you're freaking us out."