"Alright."


    ...


    Ste arrived at the restaurant twenty minutes early.


    Yet, to her surprise, Foreman was already there, waiting for her.


    She walked over. "How long have you been here?"


    Foreman''s deep gaze lingered on her face for a moment. He gave a subtle smile and stood to pull out her chair.


    "Not long. I just got here myself."


    After cing their orders, Ste couldn''t help herself. "Foreman, about Antoney..."


    At the mention of the name, Foreman''s expression grew a shade heavier.


    He nodded slightly. "Yes, it was Haynes. He''s behind it."


    Ste didn''t look at all surprised.


    Foreman poured her a ss of water and said quietly, "I went to see Haynes today under the pretense of discussing a partnership. From what I gathered, he wants you to hand over the studio. He hasn''t given up on you writing that song for Rachel, either."


    Ste let out a coldugh. "And if I refuse? After what he''s done to Antoney and Abby, what''s next-me?"


    Foreman''s face was solemn. "Star, Haynes would do anything for Rachel. It''s just a studio. Until you''re in a stronger position, don''t go head-to-head with him."


    Ste unconsciously tightened her grip on the water ss.


    She mocked herself, "The name ''Star''-even I barely dare to use it, yet he wants me to stir up publicity for his beloved?"


    Just then, her phone rang.


    Abby''s panicked voice came through the receiver.


    "Haynes, that snake—he bribed the testingb! They just published the results online. It''s official-he''s the father!"


    Ste felt as if her heart had plummeted into a pitch-ck abyss.


    Her hand shook, and the ss slipped from her grasp, shattering on the floor with a sharp, ringing sound.


    She closed her eyes, forcing down the surge of anger.


    "Alright.


    voice


    understand," she said, her


    nothi and even, betraying . The calmness unser


    on the other end.


    Co. Sele


    "Star, are you... are you okay?"


    "I''m fine," Ste replied, her tone cool and steady. "I''ll handle it."


    Abby hesitated, but Ste had already ended the call.


    Foreman looked at her in concern; her face had gone pale. "Star, what happened? What''s wrong?"


    Ste gave a low, humorlessugh. "You were right. Haynes really would do anything for Rachel."


    Her face was so pale that her eyes seemed darker, sharper, more resolute than


    ever.


    For reasons he couldn''t name, a strange, uneasy feeling stirred in Foreman''s chest.


    "Star, don''t do anything rash."


    "I know," Ste said, managing a small smile as she regained herposure.


    "I''ll talk to Haynes tomorrow."


    Foreman still looked worried. "What time? I''lle with you."


    "I''ll let you know once I confirm with Haynes," Ste answered, not refusing his offer.


    The rest of the meal passed in silence.


    She didn''t mention Haynes again, nor did she bring up Antoney.


    It was the calm before the storm.


    ...


    After returning home, Ste dialed Haynes'' number.


    He picked up almost immediately.


    "Have


    voice


    was


    made up your mind?"


    low, cool, and unhurried,


    as though he''d been expecting her eall.


    Ste''s voice was equally cool, almost detached. "Mr. O''Brien, you''d go this far for Ms. Pearce''s future. How could I not understand your intentions?"


    "As long as you know," he replied.