He''d always been like this-never bothering to lie to her, his frankness bordering on shamelessness.


    Ste sat quietly for a few seconds before she finally spoke.


    "You can have the studio. But right now, I want you to take down Antoney''s trending posts, find whoever leaked the story, and clear Antoney''s name."


    Haynes paused, then replied, "Fine."


    "And about the songwriting," Ste continued, "I want to talk to you in person tomorrow."


    "All right."


    After she hung up, Abby looked at Ste with concern.


    "Star, do you really mean to negotiate with Haynes?"


    Haynes was notorious for being ruthless-anyone who tried to make a deal with him always ended up worse for wear. Ste really had little chance ofing out ahead.


    Ste dismissed her worries lightly. "Don''t worry. I won''t let myself get the short end of the stick that easily."


    But Abby, seeing how calm Ste looked, felt a wave of unease rise up inside her.


    She knew Ste''s personality-there was no way she would just back down without a fight.


    It was almost as if... she was nning something.


    Abby''s nerves were fraying. She hated the injustice of it all, but she was tired of fighting.


    She knew better than anyone that you can''t afford to offend people with real power.


    If it were anyone else trying to buy their studio-anyone but Haynes-she''d probably be happy to say yes.


    A clear million-dor profit, even after renovations and rent? Who wouldn''t take that deal?


    But it was Haynes. And he was after the studio for Rachel, his mistress. That was more than enough to make her blood boil.


    Abby tried to remind herself that, as a professional manager, she shouldn''t take things so personally.


    But she was also Ste''s closest friend.


    If she didn''t stand by Ste, who would?


    Still, just the two of them-they were no match for Haynes.


    They simply didn''t have enough resources or connections. Not even family to fall back on.


    Everything Ste had achieved, she''d earned on her own.


    Sure, Neville had helped them plenty of times, but when it came


    it,


    a was the one whom wat


    Vince.


    Take this situation, for


    the


    example Ste could ask Foreman to dig up information, or she could ask Neville to pull some strings and rescue her if needed.


    But expecting Neville to go toe-to-toe with Haynes for her sake? That was too much.


    There''s a difference between helping someone and outright going to war for them.


    Why should Neville risk his entirepany''s future just for Ste?


    If those twopanies really did go head-to-head, the losses would be in the billions.


    At that point, Ste would owe him far more than just a simple favor.


    Aside from your own family, no one in this world will help you without limits, no matter what it costs.


    And as for Ste''s family...


    Best not to mention it.


    "Star, maybe it''s best to just let them have the studio. With a


    two-million-dor payout, even after


    rent and renovations, we''re stiff


    walking away with well over a million. It''s not so bad."


    Ste patted Abby''s shoulder, trying to reassure her.


    "Don''t worry. I won''t let myself get cornered. And Foreman will be there too-he''ll help."


    At the mention of Foreman, Abby''s anxiety eased a little.


    "All right. If you need anything tomorrow, call me right away, okay?"


    Ste nodded gently.


    ...


    The next day, Ste arrived at The O''Brien Group.


    She''d barely stepped inside when she ran into Haynes''s secretary, Lacey.


    The moment Lacey saw Ste, her brows knit in a deep frown.


    "Ms. Cameron, what are you doing here?"


    Ste''s voice was cool and even. "I''m here to see Haynes."


    Disdain shed in Lacey''s eyes, and her tone turned icy.


    "Ms. Cameron, Mr. O''Brien is divorced from you. Please stop bothering him."