The man''s dark gaze fell on Ste, its intensity almost suffocating.


    "You really had no idea?"


    "Of course I didn''t," Ste replied, her expression calm and unflinching. "What, do you think I''m some kind of psychic?"


    Haynes studied her face, searching for the slightest sign of guilt, but found nothing.


    If she truly didn''t know, then she was one hell of an actress.


    He spoke quietly, his tone even. "ording to my investigation, the people who trashed Rachel''s studio were your fans."


    "And?" Ste met his stare, unbothered.


    Haynes''s lips barely parted. "Are you going to tell me you didn''t put them up to it?"


    Ste actuallyughed. "If I''d done something like that, I wouldn''t bother denying it. If I did it, I''d say so. If I didn''t, I didn''t. Honestly, I have a concert to prepare for. I hardly have time to waste on people who don''t matter."


    Haynes''s reply was frosty. "Whether you did it or not, this two-million-dorpensation isn''t a loss for you."


    "Not a loss?" Ste lifted her eyes, meeting the sharp lines of his face. "The concert''s right around the corner. I have to find a new studio, redo the setup, start all over again. Your time matters, but mine doesn''t?"


    Haynes''s voice was cold and distant. "me your fans for wrecking Rachel''s studio."


    Ste caught his meaning instantly.


    Even if she hadn''t orchestrated it, she couldn''t wash her hands of it. Those people were her fans, and that made her responsible. Besides, she knew she looked guilty. She and Rachel had never gotten along. In Haynes''s and Jasper''s eyes, she''d never bothered to hide her disdain for Rachel, even in front of them. No one would be surprised if she was behind the paint attack.


    Ste set the contract back down on the table. "If you want me to give up the


    studio, then stick to my terms-ten million. Cash for the keys."


    Haynes''s handsome face was a mask of ice. "Ste, don''t be greedy. I''m still offeringpensation. Be smart about this."


    "And if I say no?"


    A cold smile flickered across Haynes''s lips, but his eyes glittered with menace. "If I''m not mistaken, the studio''s currently owned by Antoney, isn''t it?"


    Ste''s guarded expression sharpened. She stared at Haynes, all nerves and suspicion. “What are you nning? If you''ve got a problem, take it up with me, not him!"


    Haynes''s gaze lingered on her tense face, his eyes colder than ever.


    He didn''t know why, but in that moment, something clicked. Ste had always ticked every box-she''d been the perfect wife in every way yet somehow, she''d grown so dull and distant. Now, as she stood up for Antoney, Haynes suddenly understood why.


    "You''ve never defended me the way you''re defending Antoney right now," he said, voice unexpectedly soft.


    Ste stared at him, not quite following his train of thought. "You have plenty of people to defend you. Do you really need me, too?"


    A derisive smirk tugged at Haynes''s lips. "I always thought you were like some robot-programmed to never get angry, never show any emotion. Turns out you do have feelings, just not for me."


    To him, Ste had always been the perfect wife: gentle, considerate, endlessly understanding. Whether she was giving birth or juggling.


    everything on her own


    matter if he was there. Even if she needed him and he didn''t answer, she''d just tell him, "It''s fine, you go take care of your work." She never seemed to need him at all.