"Or maybe I can postpone the show for a bit and have someone bring you a new dress," Haynes suggested, trying to keep the peace.


    Ste''s expression was icy and sarcastic. "The dress I''m wearing matches Marvin''s show outfit. Haynes, thepetition takes priority. Rachel''s little... ident?" A deliberate pause. "That reckoning wille."


    Haynes looked like he wanted to say something but held back, his face hardening. "I''ll pay you ten times the dress''s cost," he finally said quietly.


    Ste couldn''t help butugh. "Do you think I''m so broke I can''t afford a dress?" Haynes''s gaze was intense. "Or you can name your price."


    Ste nced around at the onlookers. There were so many people here, and if she really named a price, she couldn''t imagine how Jasper and the O''Brien family would spin it.


    Even now, she felt the weight of their stares-their expressions shifting from curiosity to quiet judgment. The whispers? Those she could endure. But she didn''t want Marvin to be affected by her reputation. If word got out that she was money- hungry, it might affect Marvin''s friendships at preschool.


    With a wry smile, Ste said, "Haynes, as my husband, it''s one thing not to back me up, but to publicly ask for a price? What are you trying to say, that I''m a gold- digger?"


    Haynes''s eyes flickered. "That''s not what I meant. I just want to solve the problem."


    Although it''s often said not to air dirtyundry in public, Ste had already fallen out with Haynes and the O''Brien family, so she didn''t hold back.


    "If you really want to solve the problem, why not have someone bring Rachel a new dress instead of me?"


    Haynes met her gaze. "Ste, your performance outfit is ruined. Even if you wear Rachel''s, it might not fit. Then why should we both suffer and affect Keen''spetition?"


    Ste''s voice was cold. "Haynes, I''ll say it onest time. The one affecting Keen''spetition is Rachel, not me."


    "I know," Haynes replied, his voice cool. "But thispetition is really important to Keen. He''s your son, after all. Are you really not willing topromise at all for a moment''s anger? After thepetition, you can ask for whateverpensation you want."


    Keen''s little face was taut, his small fists clenched.


    Just then, a low chuckle came from the crowd.


    "Mr. O''Brien, stop trying to guilt-trip Star by using her role as a mom. Or are you implying Keen''s dreams matter more than Marvin''s?"


    "As for your money andpensation," Neville smiled arrogantly, "Do you really think I, Neville, need your tenfoldpensation or any of that?"


    Jasper couldn''t help but sneer. "If you cared so much about thepetition, you shouldn''t have involved Ste. I thought you were forfeiting by asking her."


    Marvin stepped forward, saying, "You can''t talk about Ste like that. She''s amazing!"


    Abby scoffed. "A wannabe trying topete with our Star? Really?"


    Jasper lost his cool. "Damn, I''ve seen liars before, but this is shameless. Rachel graduated from Neo-Vespera University, and you think she''s no match for a housewife?!"