"This is just Haynes'' excuse for not wanting a divorce. Even if Star agrees to leave with nothing, he still wouldn''t go through with it," Abby fumed.


    "Did you see how the O''Brien family acted just now? They didn''t even pretend to hold back in front of Star. Behind closed doors, I bet they''ve already weed Rachel as their future daughter-inw."


    "If he''s so hung up on Rachel, he should just divorce Star and marry her. Keeping one eye on the te and the other on the buffet is downright shameless!"


    Neville chimed in, "Haynes is pretty straightforward. Star''s a good wife and mother, and Rachel doesn''t have much time left. Do you really think Haynes would give up Star for someone who''s only got a few months?"


    "Does he think Star is some kind of charity for cast-offs?" Abby snapped. "If he tries to y dirty, does that mean we have no way to fight back?"


    Ste''s voice was icy, "As long as he doesn''t divorce, I''ll make life hell for him and the O''Brien family."


    Neville''s deep-set eyes were as shadowy as a stormy sky. "Aren''t you worried he''ll go after your family?"


    "I don''t have any family," Ste said, her voice cool and detached. "If he tries anything, I''d almost be... grateful."


    No family. And yet grateful for it.


    A spark of intrigue lit Neville''s eyes.


    Not long after, there was a knock on the lounge door.


    Neville''s assistant entered. "Mr. Connolly, Ms. Cameron''s new dress has arrived." Knowing Ste''s dress had gotten dirty, Neville had immediately arranged for a recement to be delivered. They were all white dresses, simr to Ste''s performance outfit.


    As Ste went to change, Neville asked Abby, "About the bet she just made with Rachel do you want me to lean on the judges a bit, help swing things your way?"


    Abby was taken aback, "Swing things?"


    "Rachel may not be the nicest person, but she''s undeniably talented. I''ve had her checked out. She did graduate from Neo-Vespera University, and her grades were above average."


    "Star beating Rachel will be tough."


    Abby gave Neville a puzzled look, "You checked out Rachel, but did you even look into Star?"


    "Hmm?"


    Seeing Neville''s confusion, Abby rolled her eyes.


    "The fact that you''d say something like that means you haven''t done your homework. Rachel might''ve graduated from Neo-Vespera University, but Star did too, and she''s leagues ahead!"


    Neville raised an eyebrow, "So, she didn''t drop out of high school?"


    Abby was exasperated, "Who spread that nonsense? Star was a top student. She got a special invitation from Neo-Vespera University when she was just a freshman in high school!"


    Understanding dawned on Abby''s face.


    "I get it now. No wonder Deanna always brings up Star''s education. She, like Mr. Connolly, didn''t get the facts straight!"


    Thepetition was dyed for nearly forty minutes.


    Not because of Ste, of course-but because Rachel took forever redoing her hair and makeup.


    Even now, with the first group already performing on stage, Rachel still hadn''t emerged.


    However, a forty-minute dy was the absolute limit.


    Any longer would upset the other performers and make the contest seem unfair.


    After some discussion, it was decided Rachel and Ste would performst.


    Ste only needed to change her dress, no makeup redo, and soon she was at the front, watching the performances unfold.


    The first act was a piano performance.


    As the lights dimmed and then brightened, thepetition officially began.