"If you don''t know what''s good for you and let Haynie handle things, it won''t end nearly as well for you!"


    "This is the first time I''ve seen someone try to steal from others and act so entitled," Ste replied coolly. "But since you''ve made your position so clear, it''s not out of the question for me to let you take over the studio."


    Abby''s expression shifted. "Ste-"


    A smug grin crept onto Jasper''s lips. "d you know your ce."


    But Ste continued, "We signed a five-year lease on this ce, and spent months renovating it. If you want me to hand it over, you''ll need topensate me for the rent, the renovation expenses, and the penalty for breaking the contract.


    "And you both know I have a concerting up. If I have to find a new ce, that''s going to disrupt rehearsals. I think it''s only fair you pay for the emotional distress too, don''t you?"


    Jasper huffed impatiently. "Cut the crap-just give me a number."


    Ste pretended to consider, then said, "Since we''re at least acquaintances, I''ll keep it simple: ten million."


    Jasper looked like he''d been pped. "How much?!"


    "Ten million. That''s my price for the studio."


    Jasper exploded. "Ste, why don''t you just rob a bank?! You could buy the whole ce for less than that!"


    He''d expected Ste to ask for a lot, but this? She was out of her mind! Did she think ten million was pocket change?


    Ste shrugged. "Then go buy the building. If you own it, no one wouldpete with you, right?"


    Jasper was so furious he could barely see straight. "Fine, I''ll—”


    But before he could finish, Foreman interrupted sharply. "Jasper, you''ve been bleeding money on pointless dealstely. You''re already in the red."


    It was like a bucket of ice water dumped over his head. Jasper''s mind snapped back to reality.


    Only an absolute fool would spend ten million on a studio like this.


    He shot Ste a venomous re. This woman was pure trouble! She was clearly trying to bait him into making a stupid deal.


    He remembered the auction where


    he''d blown a fortune on worthless junk, hoping to resell it and recoup his losses, but none of it had moved. Then there was the time he''d tried to smear Ste online, only to end up branded as a "greedy corporate tycoon" himself, which had cost him even more in PR just to clean up the mess. The Wilkinson Group''s stock price still hadn''t recovered.


    Now, he didn''t even have that kind of money avable.


    Jasper red daggers at Ste. Thank God for Foreman''s


    intervention, or he would have fallen


    for


    trap again. This woman was


    nothing but trouble!  fo


    He knew there was no way Ste would give in easily today. Rather than risk


    getting yed again, he decided to cut his losses.


    "Ste, you''ll regret this," Jasper spat coldly.


    And with that, he turned to Rachel, who had been silent the whole time. "Rachel, let''s go."


    Rachel nced back at Ste, then silently followed him out.


    Foreman gave Ste a polite nod before leaving too.


    As soon as the door closed, Abby thelp but spit out, "So t


    Ofter our studio were th


    and Rachel, those two rats!


    Ste nodded. "They''re the ones who tried to hire me as aposer, too."


    Abby rubbed her temples. "What is it with them? You''re divorced, but they just won''t stay out of your life."


    Just then, a gentle knock sounded at the office door.


    A clear, pleasant female voice called from the hallway, "Excuse me, is this S&A Studio?"