Mr. Walden gave Noah a meaningful look. "You rarely go out of your way to plead for someone."


    Noah''s eyes, a striking shade of blue, held a calm depth-like the ocean on a gentle morning.


    "Because she''s worth it."


    For a moment, not only Mr. Walden, but even Ste herself, felt a ripple of emotion.


    Mr. Walden regarded Noah, his gaze serious.


    "Noah, you''re still young. Don''t let your emotions cloud your judgment."


    Noah smiled. "Mr. Walden, this isn''t about sentiment. I''m just speaking honestly.


    If you took the time to truly get to know Ms. Cameron, I doubt you''d be willing to let her go so easily.


    Let''s say I owe you a favor for this. How does that sound?"


    Mr. Walden shook his head with a helpless chuckle. "You''re something else, you know that?"


    Ste nced at Noah and spoke softly. "Mr. Noah, thank you for wanting to help me. But there''s really no need."


    Her voice was quiet, yet steady. "As Mr. Walden just said, there are many paths in life. Being chosen by Mr. Walden is one path. Finding my own way is another.


    Not everyone is suited for the same road.


    As long as you choose the right path, every road will eventually lead to the same destination."


    Mr. Walden looked at her in surprise.


    He''d heard she didn''t have much formal education.


    To hear such words from her caught him off guard.


    She was undeniably gifted, but he''d always thought she wasted her talents- spending more effort onnding a wealthy husband than on honing her craft.


    Her methods were certainly effective.


    Even Noah seemed to have fallen for her gentle charm.


    If Noah asked for this as a favor, Mr. Walden would have a hard time refusing. After all, Noah wasn''t asking him to take Ste on as a protégé, just to offer some asional guidance.


    But Ste''s refusal actually won back some of Mr. Walden''s respect for her. From the very start, Ste had sensed Mr. Walden''s dislike.


    Though he''d insisted on fairness-making those who insulted her apologize and offering the usual polite words-it was impossible to fully hide his true feelings.


    She was grateful Noah had spoken up for her at this moment.


    But in the end, it didn''t matter anymore.


    Mr. Walden and Noah still had business to discuss, so they excused themselves.


    Ste turned to Haynes, her gaze icy. "I need a word with you. Alone."


    Without waiting for his reply, she strode out of the ballroom.


    Haynes gave Rachel a quick nod, then followed after her.


    Watching them leave, Rachel made


    no move to stop the de


    triumphant smile slowly


    the corners of her lips.


    Without Haynes'' help, she never would have gained Mr. Walden''s approval so quickly-


    and to be chosen as Mr. Walden''s student?


    That was something she''d never even dared to dream.


    If Ste hadn''t wasted her gifts and


    left Rachel looking like the


    hard-working underdog, Rache would never have caught Mro Walden''s eye so easily.


    The thought filled Rachel with a surge of satisfaction.


    So what if Ste yed the violin better than anyone else?


    In the end, all her talent was just paving the way for Rachel''s sess.


    Ste''s words sounded nice-every road leads to the same destination.


    But let''s be honest: walking that road alone is nothing like having someone powerful lead you.


    Now that she was Mr. Walden''s student, it would be two years


    most before Rachel would b


    MS


    world-renowned musician.


    And Ste?


    God knows where she''d end up-probably forgotten in some back alley.


    The night air was cool and serene, moonlight spilling across the gardens in a silvery veil.


    Ste and Haynes walked into the quiet, secluded garden behind the hall.


    Suddenly, Ste stopped in her tracks. She swung around, raised her hand, and pped Haynes hard across the face.