"Housewife, you mentioned before that you''ve never lost to anyone except on the violin. Is that true?"


    Ste''s gaze cut to Rachel, catching the smug smirk ying on her lips. Instantly, she figured out Jasper''s intention.


    "Let me guess," Ste drawled, voice dripping with icy amusement. "You want to ce your little bet too?"


    Jasper stiffened. The razor edge of her perception had caught him off guard - he hadn''t anticipated she''d read their move so quickly.


    "If you''re so confident, why don''t we have a little wager?"


    Ste''s expression remained unchanged. "What''s the bet?"


    Jasper looked around, raising his voice just enough for everyone nearby to hear.


    "If you lose, you have to get down on all fours and bark like a dog."


    "And if I lose, I''ll get on my knees and call you whatever you want granny, ancestor... heck, you can even have me call you mom or dad."


    Ste arched an eyebrow at him. "You want to be my son? Does Keen agree? I don''t mind, but I doubt Keen would want a brother your age, Mr. Wilkinson."


    Marvin couldn''t help butugh out loud. The onlookers, who hadn''t thought much of Ste, were amused by her retort.


    Jasper nearly lost his cool but managed to keep it together, remembering his goal.


    Jasper taunted her, "Don''t tell me you''re afraid of losing to Rachel and don''t dare to bet."


    Ste could see right through his little tricks. "I''m fine with a bet, but let''s change the stakes. Mr. Wilkinson should join you in barking like a dog if you lose. I don''t want a disrespectful descendant."


    Jasper''s face twisted with anger. "Fine! Whoever loses will bark like a dog! And no excuses like fainting, a broken violin, or some sudden emergency. Everything counts as a loss for you. Agreed?"


    Ste''s expression was calm. "Agreed."


    Jasper suppressed his excitement. "Then it''s settled."


    He had already recorded their conversation. If she dared to back out, he''d post it online and ruin her reputation.


    A whileter, Haynes and Keen walked in.


    Keen spotted her from afar and was both annoyed and disappointed. He turned his little face away, not wanting to look at Ste. His mom really made him angry this time. She had deliberately spilled orange juice all over Rachel to prevent him from getting a good score!


    Mom wasn''t like this before. It must be that troublesome kid saying something to her!


    Soon, the parents in the waiting area started heading to thepetition. Rachel and Keen left to prepare backstage.


    The waiting area had arge LCD screen showing the performances live from the stage.


    As Ste saw the time approaching, she decided to leave with Marvin. But suddenly, a tall figure blocked her path.


    Ste looked up, and her expression instantly darkened. "Haynes, what do you want?"


    He paused, then said, "I don''t want you topete today."


    Ste''s lips curled into a chilly smile, her eyes sharp like daggers. "So if I insist on joining, Mr. O''Brien, should I expect to be locked up? Or is there a more creative punishment in store?"


    Her gaze was wary, and she instinctively scanned the surroundings, already calcting how to swiftly evade Haynes and make it to thepetition if he tried to stop her.


    Haynes''s eyes darkened with a mix of surprise and anger. "Ste, what do you think I am?"


    Ste scoffed, "That depends on what you''ve done."


    Haynes opened his mouth to speak, but the words wouldn''te out.