Chapter 698 - 698: ANOTHER NORMAL DAY

ASTRID nodded. He’d expected as much—there would always be negative comments, since no one could please everyone.

But he still opened his Terminal to check the comments on [Cyberspace] about the runway show last night. He clicked on EMMA’s official page and read the comments under the livestream video.

– EMMA’s new collection is stunning. Exactly what you’d expect from a top luxury brand.

└ Right? If I had the money, I’d buy every single piece.

└└ Same! That crimson coat Aster wore? Perfection.

└└ The tailoring is insane. You can tell it’s premium just from the photos.

└└ And the colors? Chef’s kiss. That deep emerald piece lives in my mind rent-free.

– This year’s EMMA collection absolutely blew me away!

└ Same! The designs were next-level. That asymmetrical emerald dress? Stunning.

└ The color palette was everything. So rich and vibrant without being overwhelming.

└ And the craftsmanship? Flawless. You can see the quality in every stitch.

– Can we all agree Astrid Townsend was the undisputed star of the show?

└ Obviously. That finale walk with the petal shower? Iconic.

└ He outshined every professional model there. That’s our actor!

└ The way he carried that crimson suit like it was made for him… Just magnificent.

└ Even the close-ups couldn’t capture how unreal his presence was. Born for the spotlight. And to think this was his first runway show!

– There are models, and then there’s our Aster. #ProudStarlight

└ +1

└ +2

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+ 100

– Oh please, the collection was decent at best. Stop acting like that actor single-handedly saved it.

└ Right? The designs were good, but let’s not pretend Astrid did anything special. He just walked.

└└ Exactly. People are acting like he designed the clothes himself. Newsflash: he’s just a model.

└└└ He’s not even that. He’s an actor, playing the role of a model. LOL.

└ The overhyping is ridiculous. EMMA’s collections have always been stellar—this one’s no exception, but it’s not because of him.

└ Finally, some sanity. The cult-like worship for celebrities is exhausting.

– This collection was mediocre and overrated. Astrid Townsend’s fanatics are delusional if they think his basic walk ‘made’ the show.

└ THANK YOU. He’s just a pretty face wearing clothes he didn’t design. Zero real contribution.

└ The petal gimmick was cringe. Try-hard ‘ethereal’ nonsense for his fans to scream over.

└ EMMA should’ve hired real models instead of relying on actor hype. The clothes deserved better.

└ The way people obsess over him is pathetic. Go outside and inhale fresh air. Maybe that would clear your brain from all the fog.

Astrid raised a brow. Just as expected—plenty of praise, but no shortage of criticism too. He considered closing his Terminal, then remembered Wulfric. Instead, he navigated to his number one fan’s [Cyberspace] account.

White Wolf @astridsnumber1fan: [To the haters saying Aster “just walked” in EMMA’s show: EXCUSE YOU??? That wasn’t a walk, that was a RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. The way he floated down that runway like a celestial being slumming it among mortals?? The way those jasmine petals wept at his beauty??? And you all DARE say he “did nothing special”? I bet your eyes are just jealous they can’t handle his magnificence. Stay mad, peasants. #AsterSupremacy #StayInYourLane]

Astrid blinked at the post, momentarily stunned. Then, before he could stop himself, he burst out laughing—a full, unrestrained sound that made Ellis glance at him sideways.

Oh Wulf.

“What’s wrong?” Ellis asked.

“Nothing,” Astrid said, shaking his head. “Just read something funny.” And very endearing, he added silently.

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“By the way, Astrid,” Ellis said suddenly, “is it safe for us to be seen leaving the Grimaldi mansion?”

Astrid glanced over and only then noticed the worried frown creasing Ellis’s brow. He understood her concern—she knew about the Grimaldi-Lancaster feud. She likely assumed the Lancasters had people monitoring the Grimaldis’ every move. And she would be right in a way.

Astrid gave her a reassuring look. “It’s fine. This isn’t just Grimaldi property—it’s their home. The security here rivals that of the imperial palace’s. No Lancaster spy or lackey could snoop around here undetected. So, we’re safe.”

Ellis nodded, accepting his explanation.

They had just passed through the mansion’s gates when she added, as if remembering, “Oh—Director McCann called earlier. They’ve finalized the cast for [The Shadow Within]. I’ll send you the file with the full list.”

Astrid considered this—the casting was finally settled. He wondered who the director had chosen.

“I’ll review the list after class,” he said.

***

Astrid arrived at Redwood Academy to a mixed reception. Some classmates offered sincere congratulations, their smiles warm and voices enthusiastic as they praised his runway appearance. Others delivered hollow compliments, their words polite but their eyes disinterested – the kind of obligatory praise common in their social circles.

He didn’t really care and simply smiled, whether the praise was genuine or just polite. The day passed with classes and idle chatter. When it ended, Ellis picked him up and drove him home.

Astrid entered his apartment and opened the casting file Ellis had sent. When he saw the actor chosen to play Detective Lewis—the man’s name and his profile picture staring back from the screen—a smile tugged at his lips before he even realized it.

The man in the photo had sharp, angular features—a jawline that could cut glass, dark brows pulled low over piercing eyes. His expression was all coiled tension, the kind of face that warned keep your distance before he’d even spoken. The perfect image for Detective Lewis.

Rhett Archer.

A quiet satisfaction settled in his chest as he studied Rhett Archer’s profile. Director McCann had made the right choice—not that Astrid expected otherwise. After all, Rhett had been his personal recommendation for Detective Lewis from the beginning.

Hazel Marlowe, the other actor Astrid had favored for the role of the first victim, had been chosen as well. The remaining cast selections were also equally satisfactory.

Pleased with the selections, he sent Director McCann a brief confirmation of his approval. The reply arrived moments later, telling him that he was glad. With no further notes, he turned off his Terminal.

***

The days flew by in a blur of promotional events—until, at last, the premiere of [Serendipitous Summer] arrived.

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