Many people say that marriage takes away your freedom.


    But that was never the case for him.


    He could do whatever he pleased; tying the knot hadn''t changed a thing. If anything, having a capable wife meant he had no worries at home and could pour all his energy into building his career.


    He''d always thought this arrangement was perfect.


    Although... every now and then, he felt as if something was missing.


    But he never bothered to figure out what.


    Ste shot Haynes a strange look.


    "Haynes, are you bored with yourfortable life and looking for a little excitement? Should I p you a few more times so you can really experience my temper?"


    Surely he didn''t have some odd kink, did he? Maybe he enjoyed being shouted at or pushed around?


    If that was the case, she definitely wasn''t his type.


    Rachel, who always managed to create drama out of thin air, was a much better match for him.


    No wonder Haynes couldn''t seem to let Rachel go.


    Snapping back to reality, Haynes'' expression returned to its usual cool indifference.


    "I''ll give you three days to think it over."


    "No need." Ste''s voice was even colder than his. "I refuse."


    "No need to be so hasty." Haynes looked down at her, his tone soft but threatening. “Ste, even if you don''t care about yourself, you should think about the people around you."


    Ste smiled, but her eyes were icy. "Haynes, you were willing to spend a fortune on Rachel-money, connections, all of it. So why is a million inpensation suddenly too much for you?"


    She met his gaze, her smile fading.


    "Or is it that you''re so used to picking on easy targets that now that it''s my turn, you can''t even be bothered to bring money to the table? You think a threat will do the trick?"


    "Sorry to disappoint you. That doesn''t work on me. Either put up the money, or... we''ll see whoes out on top."


    With that, Ste turned and walked away.


    Any hope of negotiating with Haynes had just gone up in smoke.


    She''d rather spend her time warning Antoney to watch his back.


    When she returned to theworking event, the hall was already crowded.


    Ste noticed several people gathered around Antoney, chatting enthusiastically.


    Antoney was also a Neo-Vespera University alum. He wasn''t in the Hall of Fame, but he''d always been one of the top talents in his department.


    Still, out of all the students at Neo-Vespera, only about ten made it into the Hall of Fame each year.


    Spotting Ste, Antoney waved her over.


    "Star,e here! I want to introduce you to some brilliant musicians."


    Ste made her way over, smiling and greeting the musicians clustered around Antoney.


    Someone recognized her. "Hey,


    aren''t you that talented violinist


    Who


    went viral online a while back? saw


    your video-your ying''s incredible!"


    "Ms. Cameron," another chimed in, "ourpany''s organizing an international music exchange. With your skills, I bet you could take on any of the foreign contestants no problem. Would you be interested? And of course, the prize money''s nothing to sneeze at."


    "Ms. Cameron, you''re a charity ambassador and a violinist-a perfect match for our new brand. Ever considered being a


    spokesperson?" someone else asked.


    As soon as people realized who Ste was, their eyes lit up and they crowded around, eager to make her acquaintance.


    After all, these music events weren''t just about performing; they were a chance towork and strike up business deals.


    Even the most aplished musician still had to make a living-no one could survive on passion alone.


    Ste was about to respond when a frosty voice sounded behind her.


    "Well, well. Isn''t it our genius violinist, the one who didn''t even finish high school?"