Haynes''s eyes were dark and unreadable. “No need. Just find out where Star is. I''ll handle the negotiations myself."


    Benson stiffened in surprise. "Yes, sir. I''ll get right on it."


    ...


    Inside the studio, Ste was ying hertestposition, fingers gliding effortlessly over the piano keys. She nned to open her next show with this very piece.


    The music flowed through the room like a fresh spring, clear and moving, tugging gently at the heart. Ste stood by the window, her graceful silhouette framed by the ss-a living portrait of elegance and poise.


    Soft sunlight spilled through gauzy curtains, bathing her in a gentle golden glow. For a moment, it seemed as if the light itself had chosen her as its canvas.


    As thest notes faded, a round of apuse broke the silence from the doorway.


    p. p. p.


    Ste turned, surprised to see Foreman standing there.


    "Foreman, when did you get here?"


    Abby chimed in, "Mr. Richards arrived not long after you started ying. He asked me not to disturb you, so I let you finish."


    Justst night at dinner, Foreman had mentioned he''d like to visit her studio. Ste had been spending her days here, practicing. The location wasn''t a secret —she''d eventually need to host business meetings-so she''d agreed. Still, she hadn''t expected Foreman to show up quite this soon.


    Foreman''s voice was low and steady. "It was beautiful."


    "Thank you." Ste turned to Abby. "We have some applicantsing byter. Could you greet them for me? I''ll give Foreman a quick tour first."


    Abby nodded. "Of course. Take your time."


    Ste led Foreman around the studio. The space had originally been leased by Antoney before their divorce, back when she first decided to strike out on her own and build a team.


    Antoney had rented a huge workspace-about eight thousand square feet, spread across three floors. The studio had everything: a performance hall, rehearsal rooms, offices.


    After Ste joined, she borrowed a whole floor from Antoney, but paying for the rent and renovations was another matter. Her savings couldn''te close to covering such a massive studio, so she owed the difference for now, hoping to pay it back little by little.


    She showed Foreman around her floor first, then took him through the other two. When the tour wrapped up, they headed back toward Abby.


    Foreman lingered slightly behind Ste, watching her with a quiet intensity. His normally gentle eyes sparkled with something fierce, like embers caught in a breeze. Ste didn''t notice-she''d already stepped back into the main room.


    Abby handed her a stack of printed résumés. "Star, these candidates look promising. Take a look—let me know who you''d like to interview, and I''ll bring them in."


    After all, a concert couldn''t happen with just her and Antoney. Antoney had his Own music team, but Ste was starting from scratch. Aside from Abby, her manager, she still needed musicians for live


    apanists for certain pieces.


    performances-especially now


    She nned to find a pianist and a few violinists for ensemble work.


    Just then, Abby''s phone rang. She nced at the caller ID, frowning, and declined the call. A few secondster, it rang again. This time, she simply switched the phone off.


    Ste looked over. "Something wrong?"


    "It''s Benson again," Abby replied, rolling her eyes. "I''ve turned him down so many times, but they never give up. He calls every day—I end up shutting off my phone just to get some peace."


    Ste was calm. "Makes sense. If it''s about Rachel, Haynes always takes things seriously."


    Abby huffed, "I''m changing my number tomorrow. That should keep them off my back."


    Their conversation was interrupted by a soft knock at the studio door.