Chapter 517


    Karin cradled her face in her hands and watched intently as Astrid sat beside her, whittling away at a


    piece of wood. In just a short while, Astrid had transformed the raw material into a beautiful little


    figurine.


    Lacking proper sanding tools, the miniature was riddled with splinters, and Astrid''s hands were marked


    with tiny cuts, a smattering of blood marring the otherwise smooth surface of the wood.


    But the carving was stunning, so much so that it could put some professional craftsmen to shame.


    Parrish couldn''t contain his excitement. "Astar, this is a masterpiece! Carve a few more of these, and I''ll


    sell them for you. We''ll make a fortune!"


    "No way! You think she doesn''t get tired to make so many?" Nathan red at Parrish, who quickly


    shrank away, knowing when to pick his battles.


    In the past, Mr. Lampard had been Astrid’s protector. Now with Nathan in the picture, both men were


    forces to be reckoned with.


    Astrid nced at the blood-stained carving and suggested to Karin, "It''s dirty now. Maybe I''ll make you


    another er."


    "No need, it''s just a little blood. I love it just the way it is," Karin replied, clutching the tiny sculpture as if


    it were a precious treasure, while Parrish wondered why Astrid would give a gift to Karin.


    He wasn''t the only one puzzled. Audiences online were also asking, [Why is Astrid giving Karin


    something?]


    Content ? N?velDrama.Org.


    [Karin asked Astrid for it. Astrid couldn''t just say no.]


    [But it''s clear Astrid doesn''t like her. Why give her a gift?]


    [Yeah, and that woman flirted with Mr. Lampard one minute, cozied up to Clyde the next, and now in an


    attempt to charm Parrish. She can''t be trusted, and yet Astrid gives her a gift? It makes no sense!]


    [Let''s not jump to conclusions. Maybe Astrid''s rtionship with her isn''t as bad as we think. Let''s not


    stir the pot.]


    ying with the little sculpture, Karin identally pricked her finger on a splinter, but she didn''t pay it


    much mind.


    The next morning, as dawn barely broke the night''s hold, Karin felt a sharp pain running through her


    left arm. Sitting up, she rolled up her sleeve to investigate, but there was nothing visibly wrong.


    Remembering the prick from Astrid''s gift the night before, a cold sweat broke out across her skin.


    This was all Astrid''s cunning n!


    Astrid knew of her love for wood carvings and had deliberately crafted the sculpture to catch her eye.


    The blood on her hands wasn''t an ident. Astrid had purposely contaminated the carving!


    Her blood must be poisonous, and now the toxin would be coursing through her veins from the


    puncture wound!


    Astrid was devious beyond belief.


    If not for the antidote, she might have met her demise at Astrid''s hands!


    Peering at the others in the group, all seemingly deep in slumber.


    Karin stealthily reached into her bag and pulled out the antidote disguised in a soda bottle. If the live-


    stream audiences caught a glimpse, they''d think she was sneaking a drink, nothing more.


    Just as Karin was about to open the bottle, Astrid''s voice pierced the silence, "Hey, Karin, what''s with


    the secret stash of soda?"


    Caught off guard by Astrid, Karin faltered herposure. "Oh, I just hid a little bit away."


    "I''m quite fond of that brand too. Mind if I have a sip? I''ve been craving a good soda ever since we hit


    the trails," Astrid said, batting her eyshes innocently, leaving Karin flustered and at a loss under her


    seemingly mocking gaze.