Chapter 20


    Astrid had a hunchst 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 tomit arson.


    Who knew what kind of dirty tricks Sandra had up her sleeve to get the Irvine family’s business where it


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    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 dirtyundry 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 n. 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 ck 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


    n, 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 yed 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 exined, Mr. Lampard, the driver who was supposed to pick up Astrid called. He said as soon


    as he dropped her off at thepany, 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.


    !