A flicker of emotion passed through Haynes''s eyes.


    Rachel went on, "I don''t want you to go and get revenge on Ste, and I don''t want you to make trouble for her, either. All I want right now is to hold a sessful concert and fulfill this dream of mine."


    She paused, her gaze lingering on Haynes, full of unspoken thoughts and tangled emotions.


    "And... I just hope you and Jasper will be alright."


    At eight that evening, Ste and Antoney arrived right on time at Mr. Walden''s music soirée.


    It had been a while since Stest saw Antoney. Tonight, she noticed a shadow clouding his usually cheerful face.


    "Antoney," she said softly, "is something bothering you?"


    He was about to answer when a tall, imposing figure suddenly stepped between them.


    "Ste, I''d like a word."


    Before Ste could respond, Antoney moved forward, cing himself protectively in front of her, eyes wary as he stared down Haynes.


    "What do you want, Haynes?"


    Haynes shot him a dismissive nce, clearly not taking him seriously. "Maybe you should worry about your own problems instead of meddling in other people''s business."


    Antoney''s handsome face stiffened.


    Ste nced at him, concern in her eyes. "What''s going on, Antoney?"


    His voice came out unexpectedly hoarse. "...It''s nothing."


    She wanted to press further, but Haynes''s cool, clear voice cut in first.


    "I''d like to discuss the studio-and Jasper."


    Ste''s eyes flickered. "Antoney, wait for me here, alright? I''ll just be a minute."


    "But..." Antoney looked at her with obvious worry.


    She gave him a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry. He''s not going to do anything to


    me."


    She and Antoney had grown up together; to her, he was like an older brother. On her mother''s deathbed Antoney had promised to look after Ste He''d brought up marriage a few times, but Ste never took it seriously-there was nothing romantic between them, and Antoney seemed to know that too. Still, he believed the only way to truly protect her was to make her his wife.


    ...


    To avoid drawing attention, Haynes led Ste to a private lounge. On the table sat


    a stack of papers. Ste nced over and saw it was a lease transfer agreement.


    She assumed he was there on Jasper''s behalf-but to her surprise, it was about Rachel''s studio.


    So much for loyalty among friends, she thought wryly.


    Haynes handed her the contract, his voice low and cold. "Sign it."


    Ste took the papers. The terms were exactly as she''d expected: he wanted her to hand the studio over to Rachel. In return, he''d


    front a generous sum, by any


    standard.


    Still...


    ?


    up


    "I assume Jasper and Rachel have told you whatpensation I''m asking for," she said coolly.


    Haynes''s tone was heavy. "Ste, you know that''s impossible."


    She shook her head, regret in her eyes. "Then there''s nothing left to discuss."


    Haynes stared at her, his dark gaze narrowing, a hint of danger simmering beneath the surface.


    "Sign it. Remove Jasper''s name from the trending lists. If you admit to orchestrating the smear against chel''s studio, I''ll let it go-and you''ll still get thepensation."


    Ste arched an eyebrow. "What happened to Rachel''s studio?"