Chapter 543


    Hank leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking under his weight. "Boss, the inte is buzzing over


    the news. A bunch of your rivals'' fans are stirring the pot. Could this bad-mouthin'' hurt your rep with the


    regr audiences?"


    Astrid''s grin was sly as a fox. "Not at all. It''s just pumping up my visibility. After this circus, even more


    folks are gonna know my name." She seemed to muse for a moment, then said, "Doesn''t seem like the


    buzz is big enough, though. Go buy us another spot on the trending list, will ya?"


    Chad raised his eyebrows but didn''t say a word.


    "Got it," Hank replied, already on it.


    Astrid had everything nned out in advance, like a master chess yer thinking several moves


    ahead.


    She had only one TV series airing at the moment, and even though her movie had a release date set, it


    hadn''t hit the theaters yet.


    Sure, reality TV had pulled in a hefty fan base, but she knew it was talent that kept you in the limelight.


    Without it, you''d just be a shooting star, zing bright before fading fast.


    She''d known Jay would pull a stunt, so to milk the situation for all it was worth, she''d given him a full


    day''s lead time instead of confronting him immediately.


    Her aim was to use Jay as a stepping stone, to get her name out there even more.


    Exposure was gold in the showbiz, and she wasn''t about to let such a golden opportunity slip through


    her fingers.


    Jay had no clue he was dancing to Astrid''s tune, still living in his little fantasy world. He''d fired his old


    assistant for not cutting the mustard and now had a new one who was sharp as a tack.


    "Julie," Jay called out, his voice echoing through the plush office. A man walked in, exuding a schrly


    vibe.


    The man nced at Jay and nodded slightly. "Everything''s set for tonight."


    "Any word from Aster?" Jay inquired further.


    Julie shook his head. "Not yet, but it''s still early. Don''t you have a business summit to attend? It''s about


    time."


    "Right." Jay stood, and Julie was at his side in a sh, helping him into his jacket.


    Jay looked at the man with approval. "Keep up the good work, and you will be rewarded."


    "Thank you, sir," Julie replied, nodding. Then he added, "I''ve picked up your prescription. It''s ready; do


    you want it now?"


    Jay hadn''t been keen on taking his medicine, but remembering he had an important meetingter, he


    relented. "Bring it here."


    "Right away." Julie fetched the medicine, and Jay downed it without hesitation before striding out.


    As soon as Jay left, a sinister smile crept over Julie''s face.


    Meanwhile, everyone was on the edge of their seats for the big reveal from a celebrity gossip


    influencer, with only five minutes until the nine o''clock bombshell.


    Astrid was sprawled on her couch, gaming away as if she hadn''t a care in the world. Her headset on,


    she was ribbing Jon, "Jon, how can you suck this much? Calling yourself a pro gamer? Do us all a


    favor and retire before you tank your team!"


    Jon''s voice crackled through the headset. "Star, you''re getting cocky, trash-talking me now?"


    "Oh, did I tell you about that thing with Nash Brooke and your brother taking care of Jay?"


    Astrid''s interest was piqued immediately. "When did this go down? Howe I didn''t hear about it?"


    "You remember when Jay tried to mess with your show? My brother got wind and called a family


    meeting. After that, those two went to deal with Jay."


    "I heard Nash gave Jay a special concoction. They say he made a spectacle of himself at the club, got


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    way too crazy with a handful of girls, almost partied himself to death."


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