That made sense. Ste wasn''t in any position to make waves right now, but shaking up the people around her and teaching her a lesson would be revenge enough for Rachel.


    Rachel quickly masked the satisfaction in her eyes and spoke softly, "Haynie, if this is so difficult for Ms. Cameron... maybe we should just drop it?"


    Ste let out a lightugh. "If he was willing to just let it go, he wouldn''t have gone to such lengths to back me into a corner."


    Haynes looked at Ste, his expression unreadable.


    "Ste, you should know you''re in no position to negotiate with me."


    Without missing a beat, Ste stood up.


    "All right, if you think I''m not qualified to negotiate, then I''ll be on my way. Find someone you think is worthy enough to talk to you."


    She headed for the door, her steps steady and without a trace of hesitation.


    Everyone in the room was stunned by her boldness.


    If Haynes had really been behind what happened to Antoney, then Steing here, offering to give up her studio and evenpose for Rachel-she was clearly pleading his case.


    By all rights, she should''ve been humbling herself and begging Haynes for mercy.


    So where did she get the nerve?


    The door creaked open as Ste reached for the handle, ready to leave.


    Suddenly, Haynes stood up and grabbed her wrist.


    He stared straight into Ste''s eyes. "Don''t you care what happens to Antoney?"


    Steughed softly. "Haynes, I remember you once told me that when you''re asking for a favor, you need to show the proper attitude. So, who exactly are you trying to impress with this superiority act?"


    She smiled, but her eyes were cold as a winter spring.


    "Let''s be clear. Yes, Antoney means a lot to me, which is why I''m here today. But if you think you can usez him to threaten or manipte me from now on, you''ve got it all wrong. Antoney is important, but not so important that I''d give up everything for him. If you want to keep going down this road, fine. Even if I lose, I''ll make sure to take a piece out of you before I go."


    Jasper, who''d only just learned that Haynes was behind Antoney''s predicament, suddenly felt


    emboldened. He''d been hoping to see Stepletely humiliated, but instead she was as defiant as ever.


    He couldn''t take it anymore. "Ste, Antoney''s future is in our hands! I''m warning you, you''d better watch your tone, or="


    Ste cut him off with augh. "You know what kind of people end up destroyed the fastest?"


    She didn''t wait for Jasper''s answer. "Those who think they''ve got leverage and keep waving it around, threatening others again and again. They''re the first to go."


    Jasper froze, at a loss for words, but before he could recover, Haynes spoke up, his voice low and calm.


    "That''s enough. All of you, stop."


    Surprisingly, instead of being angered by Ste''s words, Haynes actually seemed to be in a better mood.


    He said coolly, "Ste, you have ten minutes to persuade me."


    That one sentence meant he''d decided to back down.


    Ste nced at Jasper and Rachel, who now looked as if they''d swallowed something foul, then returned to her seat.


    Haynes''s goal wasn''t mutual destruction—he wanted Rachel''s studio and the concert. Since Ste had alreadye, he clearly didn''t intend to push things too far.


    And just now...