But she could clearly sense Haynes pulling away from her.


    Upon hearing this, Jasper was the first to protest.


    "That violin, Nocturne Ste, ispletely wasted in Ste''s hands. Haynie, you should just give it to Rachel. Why overthink it? You and Ste are married; what''s hers is yours. Besides, Rachel doesn''t have much time left. You know how she worships Nora. ying one concert with that violin is her literal dream-we''re just borrowing it. It''s not like we''re stealing the damn thing." A scoff. "Hell, if it''s about cash, we''ll pay. A million upfront and she''d probably throw the violin at us. That''s all she really cares about anyway."


    Haynes''s eyes flickered, remembering how often Ste had brought up money.


    Maybe Jasper was right; she hadn''t agreed because the price wasn''t high enough.


    ...


    In the backstage lounge, Abby looked around, unable to hide her awe.


    "No wonder they call it a private school for the elite. This ce is as big as a college campus. The surroundings are better than our neighborhood, and even the auditorium looks like it''s ready for a professional show."


    "The backstage lounges are private rooms... even better than what celebrities get."


    Abby nced at Marvin, saying, "Don''tugh at me for being impressed."


    Marvin chuckled, "Aunt Abby, when I grow up, I''ll show you even more amazing ces."


    Abby couldn''t help but hug Marvin, excitedly. "Oh my, you''re such a sweet talker. I adore you!"


    Then she turned to Neville.


    "Mr. Connolly, how did you raise your child to be so well-mannered? I need to learn from you so I can raise mine the same way."


    Ste listened and also looked at Neville. She wanted to know how Neville had managed to raise Marvin so well.


    She had poured so much effort into Keen, and yet Keen was distant from her, with his values getting more skewed by the day.


    Ste sometimesy awake at night, questioning every decision she''d made as a mother. Had she been too strict? Too distant?


    Neville gave a mischievous smile and replied, "Maybe it''s just in his genes. I''m usually too busy with work to pay much attention to him."


    Their eyes met in silent understanding. Biology was a bitch. Keen might have Ste''s eyes, but he''d inherited Haynes'' spectacr talent for picking the wrong


    women.


    Before long, there was a knock on the door.


    A teacher walked in and said, "The performance is about to start. Could Marvin''s guardians pleasee with me to draw for the order of appearance?"


    Ste nodded, telling Marvin and the others, "I''ll go draw, you wait here."


    Shortly after leaving the room, Ste ran into Rachel, who was also there to draw lots.


    Ste gave her a nk look before averting her gaze.


    Inside the drawing room, many parents were already there, chatting with one another.


    With no familiar faces around, Ste found a random seat.


    "Ms. Cameron," Rachel said, sitting beside her with a cup of coffee and lowering her voice. "No matter how much you try to imitate me, Haynie won''t give you a second nce. I suggest you stop embarrassing yourself."


    Ste feigned surprise, "Ms. Pearce, maybe you should look in the mirror? What do you have that''s worth imitating? Your ugly face?"


    A flicker of malice crossed Rachel''s eyes, though her face remained innocently smiling.


    She casually extended the coffee toward Ste, "Ms. Cameron, have some coffee... Whoops!"


    Rachel''s hand suddenly trembled, and the entire cup of coffee spilled onto Ste''s white dress.