Ste was just about to follow her train of thought when Antoney''s voice cut in, pulling her back to reality.


    "In that case, why don''t we go to the conference together?"


    She blinked, startled, then nodded. "Alright."


    Rachel''s Studio


    When Haynes arrived, he found Jasperforting a tearful Rachel. "Don''t worry, Rachel. I swear I''ll find out who did this to your studio!" Rachel didn''t respond. She just kept her head down, dabbing at her eyes. As Haynes stepped inside, Jasper looked up as if he''d just spotted a lifeline. “Haynie, look at this—someone''s out for revenge! They sshed paint all over Rachel''s studio!"


    Haynes didn''t need Jasper to exin. The words scrawled across the walls in garish red paint were impossible to miss.


    "Rachel is a homewrecker!"


    "Rachel destroys families!"


    "Cheating tramp! Husband stealer!"


    The insults, written in angry, jagged letters, covered the walls and doors. The harsh red looked almost like blood, turning the whole ce into a scene from a nightmare. The sharp, chemical stench of paint hung thick in the air, making Haynes want to gag.


    His gaze darkened as he took it all in.


    "Have you checked the security cameras? Any idea who did this?"


    Jasper, for once, seemed to have his wits about him. "We tried. Whoever did this, they disabled the studio''s cameras ahead of time. But the building''s main entrance cameras were still running. The problem is, the culprits came prepared they were all bundled up, faces hidden. All we could see was four men, dressed like workers, hauling in paint cans."


    Rachel''s eyes were red-rimmed, her usually gentle face hardening with a rare sh of anger.


    "I don''t even know what I did to deserve this," she said shakily. "This is my workce, for God''s sake."


    Jasper bristled. "Who else could it be but Ste? I heard she''s nning a concert, too! Obviously, she couldn''t stand to see you seed."


    But Haynes didn''t jump to conclusions. He kept his voice even. "I''ll have someone investigate this thoroughly."


    Jasper scowled. "Come on, Haynie Rachel''s barely been back in Neo-Vespera, she hardly knows anyone but us. If she''s got any enemies, it''s clear who they are."


    He looked at Haynes, suspicion in his eyes.


    "Don''t tell me you''re going to defend Ste again?"


    Haynes raised an eyebrow, cool and unbothered. "When have I ever defended her?"


    Jasper pressed on, undeterred. "Look at all the trouble Ste''s causedtely. With your influence, you could''ve crushed her like a bug by now, but you haven''t lifted a finger. If that''s not favoritism, what is?"


    Haynes''s handsome features


    remained impassive. "You don''t condemn someone without solid evidence. If you really think I''m. ying favorites, go ahead and call the police. See if they arrest Ste based on your guesswork


    Jasper''s bluster faltered, but he stuck to his guns. "Even without proof, it''s obvious Ste''s involved!"


    Haynes turned to Rachel. "What about you, Rachel? What do you think?"


    Rachel''sshes fluttered like moth


    wings. Her voice was quiet. "Whether or not Ms. Cameron is


    behind this doesn''t really matter


    What matters is my studio''s been trashed. This will disrupt myo practice and the uing concert. We''ll have to renovate, aípthe ce out... everything''s going to be dyed."


    She lowered her head, her expression clouded with frustration.