The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

THE photographer quickly shook his head to shake off the momentarily admiration he had felt. He shouldn't forget what he came here to do. To make sure that this kid didn't get the job.

But truly, it was quite admirable. When he saw the make-up artist being supported by one of the staffs, he thought that it was the ploy of the other. Because just like him, the make-up artist was tasked to sabotage Astrid Townsend.

So, when he saw that, he didn't do anything. But who would have thought that this kid would still come out looking like this? Did they bring their own make-up artist and stylist? Well, in any case, he still had to do his job.

He cleared his throat and put on an annoyed expression. "Okay, stand over there and we will start."

Astrid stood at the center and small cameras floated around him. When the photographer gave him the cue, he started posing according to the concept – manly and seductive.

He looked straight at the camera and then smirked.

Some of the staffs that were standing close gasped. How could they not when it felt like Astrid was asking them to commit a crime with that gaze? It's weird but that's truly how they felt. Those eyes were simply pulling them into some unknown world, as if promising a night full of sin.

The photographer was no different. He almost forgot to click the shutter because he was so startled. Then he remembered that he shouldn't be feeling this way. He should scold the other and tell him that what he's doing was wrong. But as a photographer, he couldn't do it. Because he knew that he just took a good shot.

And because he missed that chance, the photoshoot continued without him telling the teenager anything bad as he planned at the start. Once he realized his folly, he almost cursed.

The vice-president told him to not get any good shot of Astrid Townsend. It's because the other didn't want a total newcomer to be the face of EMMA's new perfume line.

Despite his high position, the vice-president couldn't directly reject Astrid's appointment as their new endorser. Because the one who recommended the kid was the company's biggest shareholder – basically the owner of the company. So, the next best thing was to make Astrid appear incompetent. That way even the owner wouldn't be able to say anything.

The photographer thought that it would be very easy to do that. After all, the opponent was a total newcomer. Not to mention, a kid who hadn't even reached 20. But in just a few seconds, Astrid proved him wrong.

Just looking at the set of photos on the virtual screen in front of him, he could easily tell just how good they were. Not only that, it even matched the concept of the perfume line.

But he had to toughen his heart. If he didn't do as the vice-president ordered, he would be the one losing his position here at EMMA Studio. So, he took a deep breath and began to berate Astrid.

"What are you doing? You're exaggerating everything! Your every expression is just completely wrong! Are you sure you know how to pose? Don't use too much expression! Don't smile and just look at the camera indifferently!"

Astrid almost let out a sarcastic laugh when he heard that. The photographer was obviously asking him to show a 'cold and indifferent image'. Which was one of the concept of this perfume line. The problem was the clothes and make-up he's wearing didn't suit that image at all.

If he didn't know beforehand about the three image concepts, he might have considered what this photographer was saying. But since he knew that the other was obviously trying to sabotage him in some way, there's really no need for him to listen to whatever nonsense he was saying.

So, despite what the photographer said, he still continued posing and showing expressions that showcased the sexy and manly image.

"Stop! Stop! Stop! What are you seriously doing? Are you deaf? Didn't you hear what I said? I told you to stop doing nonsense and follow my instructions! Are you doing this on purpose?" the photographer roared.

"I could ask the same thing of you," a voice suddenly said. Everyone turned to Ellis who just spoke. "The people here are not blind. My artist is obviously doing great. It's actually weirder that you think otherwise. Now, I can't help but wonder if you even actually know how to do your job."

Silence filled the room once Ellis said that. The photographer's face was quickly turning red from anger and humiliation.

"Hah, no wonder this kid is so unprofessional. It's because his agent is the same," the photographer scoffed. Based on his expression, it seemed that he's doing his best not to directly attack Ellis. "If you truly think that way, then why don't you drag your artist out of this studio, I dare you."

Ellis smirked. "Maybe I should do just that. Then, after that I can post the things that happened here on [Cyberspace], along with video evidence, of course."

Another silence filled the room. Everyone knew that if she really did that, then it would be a huge scandal. Even if the people involved were not exactly on the same level of fame as the people on top of Star List, the fact that this involved EMMA was enough for people to talk about it.

Of course, the photographer also understood that. He didn't expect that this woman would actually record the things that happened here. He was so flustered that he didn't even notice himself walking towards the other.

"You--!"

When everyone thought that the photographer would attack Ellis, Astrid suddenly stood in front of the latter, as if protecting her.

And then, a voice suddenly spoke in the midst of this tense situation. "Can anyone tell me what's happening here?"

Everyone turned to the direction of the door where the voice came from. And there stood a handsome man with silver hair and sapphire blue eyes. He was holding a child in his arms with the same hair and eye color.