"No need."


    "But..."


    "No buts. Do as I say." Haynes'' tone left no room for argument. "She has to take care of Keen; she doesn''t have time for all these frivolous events."


    Benson sighed silently. Earning the admiration of Maestro Walden was the dream of many musicians.


    Haynes added, "Rmend Rachel to Maestro Walden."


    Benson''s eyebrows rose. "I''ve heard Maestro Walden is quite entric. He''s specifically asked for Ms. Cameron. Rmending Ms. Pearce might not go over well..."


    Haynes was silent for a few moments. "Set up a meeting with Maestro Walden. I''ll speak with him personally."


    Benson sighed again, "Understood."


    Jasper, seeing Haynes hang up, dropped the subject as well.


    At Ste''s house.


    Abby Murphy wasughing uncontrobly after learning that Jasper and Rachel had taken the concoction.


    "Hahaha! Did Rachel and that Jasper really drink something brewed with foot wash and cockroaches?"


    Ste couldn''t help but chuckle as she recalled the scene and nodded.


    Abby was thrilled, "Next time, I should think of something even better to add." Afterughing for a while, Abby remembered the main topic.


    "Star, wasn''t your performance with Antoney Watson already scheduled? Why was it suddenly postponed?"


    Ste furrowed her brow. "Mr. Burton said that since I''m going through a divorce with Haynes, he wants me to sort out my personal issues first."


    Abby was puzzled. "Is Mr. Burton worried that Haynes will cause trouble? It''s just a charity performance, after all."


    Ste found it strange too but didn''t dwell on it.


    "Perhaps Mr. Burton is concerned about Jasper causing a scene after what


    happenedst time. He might just want to avoid any hassle."


    Abby nodded slightly, "True, Jasper is like a mad dog with no sense. It''s better to keep our distance from people like him. By the way..."


    Abby suddenly asked, "Star, do you remember Maestro Walden?"


    Ste''s expression shifted slightly, "You mean Maestro Walden from Yorston?"


    "Yes, Ste''s mentor," Abby said seriously. "There are rumors online that Maestro Walden came to Novaris recently."


    Maestro Walden, now sixty-five, was a legendary figure in the music world.


    In his youth, he was a prodigy, mastering instruments effortlessly and ying any piece perfectly after hearing it just once.


    At fifty, due to exhaustion, he retired after several hospitalizations. Yet, his legend never faded.


    He began nurturing talents, epting only a dozen students throughout his life.


    Those who trained under him are now prominent figures in the music industry, known for their extraordinary musical gifts.


    Ste''s mother, Nora, was one of his students.


    Abby looked at Ste, hesitating, "Star, five years ago, Maestro Walden extended an invitation to you. But you were pregnant with Keen and nning your wedding, so you declined."


    "I think he wanted to assess you, maybe even take you under his wing."


    "Now that Maestro Walden is here in Novaris, should we reach out? With your connection to him as your mother''s mentor, he might still be willing to take you on."


    Abby sighed heavily.


    "The O''Brien family has always criticized your education and career, but if you''d epted Maestro Walden''s offer back then, you''d be at the top of the industry now."


    "Who needs to marry into wealth when you can create your own empire?"