Love in the Limelight novel Chapter 5

"Don't fret, Lucinda, you're my baby girl. I ain't gonna let you be bothered like this." A evil glint flashed in Sandra's eyes as she quickly whisked Lucinda away from the community.

By that point, the bodyguards in the corridor had all cleared out. The arrival of her stepmother and sister brought back memories of Astrid's past.

Over four years ago, right after her art exam results were released, she topped the charts with a score way beyond the runner-up. Several film and television companies had thrown contracts at her, hoping she could sign with them.

She was thrilled and went out for drinks with a few pals to celebrate. She had quite a few drinks that day, but she could hold her liquor, and she didn't black out or do anything crazy.

Because it was pouring heavily and it was hard to hail a cab, she crashed at Fannie' place, which was nearby. But when she woke up, she found herself in a hotel bed, her body bearing the marks of sex...

The guy was snoozing right next to her.

The room was pitch-black, and she was scared stiff. She hightailed it out of there immediately, not even daring to get a glimpse of the guy's face...

"Ma'am." A soft voice pulled Astrid back from her thoughts.

She turned around to enter the room, seeing the little boy staring wide-eyed at her, "What just happened outside?"

"No biggie." Astrid pinched Roman's cheek gently, "Let's keep watching TV."

Roman obediently followed Astrid into the room, "Ma'am, that person wants to give you three hundred bucks?"

Roman hadn't caught the full conversation, but he heard bits and pieces about three hundred bucks.

"Um..." Astrid contemplated, "She wanted to pay me to work for her."

Hearing this, Roman's eyes lit up. Pay? Work? That sounded like a solid plan.

Before long, the person to pick up Roman had arrived.

Astrid looked at the man standing outside the door and gave a small smile, "Are you here to pick up the kid?"