After saying her piece, Ste left the hospital room.


    A few dayster, the family who had tried to scam Antoney was arrested by the police.


    The investigation cleared Antoney''s name, and the authorities released a statement to the public, exining that the child was not his. It turned out that the woman''s family had bribed someone at the agency to fake the paperwork.


    And with that, the whole mess surrounding Antoney finally came to an end.


    Thanks to Ste''s foresight and Abby''s meticulous nning, the new studio was up and running in no time.


    Candida Fletcher had already begun rehearsing her new piece.


    One afternoon, as Ste and Candida were discussing the uing concert, her phone suddenly rang. It was Jasper.


    "I need you to deliver the original score to Rachel''s venue," Jasper said without preamble. "She''s ying it tonight."


    At this point, Jasper was acting as Rachel''s unofficial manager. He''d always been a spoiled trust-fund kid with no real interest in the family business, and rarely set foot in the office. But now that Rachel''s concert was approaching, he took it upon himself to help out.


    Ste''s tone was cool. "Send me the address."


    A few secondster, Jasper messaged her the location. "Just sent it. And don''t bete," he reminded her. "This is a major performance for Rachel. If you mess it up and she''s affected, you''ll have me to answer to. I''m not as forgiving as Haynie, you know."


    The address Jasper sent was for a cruise ship. Apparently, Rachel''s performance would be onboard tonight.


    Rachel hadn''t even practiced Ste''sposition yet, so there was no way she''d be able to perform it tonight. Ste could guess Jasper''s real intention he just wanted to show off, unting how Rachel had all the right people backing her.


    Abby, wary of Jasper''s tricks, did some digging of her own.


    "I found out that tonight''s concert is for the upper crust. Word is, some big international names have been invited, And..." Abby paused, ncing at Ste with concern "i heard Mr. Walden is the one hosting this event. Only someone like him could pull so many business heavyweights together."


    It seemed Mr. Walden was officially grooming Rachel now.


    Rachel had barely be Mr. Walden''s protégé, and she was already performing for high society-clear proof of how much he valued her.


    With Haynes and Jasper paving the way, plus Mr. Walden pouring resources into


    her career, Rachel''s starting line was impossibly high. Even if Ste had more


    talent and skill, it would be hard to surpass Rachel in the short term.


    It was like the difference between a child raised in an ordinary family and one born into privilege.


    Ste finally understood. "No wonder Jasper wanted me there."


    Abby scowled. "If Haynes hadn''t sabotaged you and stolen your chance, tonight''s performance would have been yours, not Rachel''s."


    Ste had already made peace with


    it. "Nothing in this world truly belongs to anyone, Abby-not even your own child, let alone an


    opportunity. Rachel caught Mal ne


    Walden''s eye because of her own abilities. My job is to keep working on myself, to be better."


    She looked at Abby. "If you can''t let go of the past, you''ll just trap yourself where you are."


    Abby sighed. "I know you''re right. It''s just... we really need a break, Ste."


    "Rachel has Haynes and Jasper pulling every string for her, but their influence only goes so far. They''re not even in the same league as Mr. Walden. He''s at the very top-his resources, his connections...no one else canpare. When he asks, people listen."