Ste was quiet for a few seconds before finally saying, "Let''s just take it one step at a time."


    Abby suddenly remembered something. "By the way, didn''t Dr. Burton call you a few days ago about preparing a little show for the retirement home? Did he set a date?"


    She grinned, adding, "I saw Marvin practicing the piano extra hardtely. He told Dr. Burton he wants to show off his skills for the grandmas and grandpas, too."


    Ste nodded. "It''s set for the end of this month. But..."


    Abby caught the hesitation in her voice. "But what?"


    Ste frowned. "Dr. Burton gave me the address for the venue-it''s the most exclusive private club in Neo-Vespera. The kind where you can''t even get past the door without a membership card."


    Abby waved it off. "Maybe Dr. Burton''s inviting all his old friends from his army days. If he''s organizing a rare event, it makes sense he''d want to do it in style."


    She patted Ste''s shoulder and went on, “Don''t be fooled by how humble Dr. Burton''s clinic looks. He''s been a doctor for a lifetime, and with all the connections he''s made, booking a fancy ce for a concert isn''t so surprising. He''s not the type who spends on himself-maybe this is the kind of thing he wants to splurge on."


    Ste thought about it and realized Abby had a point. She nodded in agreement. Abby said, "Star, want me toe with you tonight? If Jasper and his friends try anything again, it''s good to have backup."


    Ste shook her head gently. "No need. I can handle it."


    She wasn''t worried for herself; she just didn''t want Jasper and his crew to shift their attention to Abby instead.


    Abby seemed to pick up on Ste''s concern and didn''t push further.


    "If anythinges up, promise you''ll text me right away."


    "I will."


    ...


    That evening, Ste arrived at the cruise ship''s concert venue exactly at the time Jasper had told her.


    Maybe Jasper knew that if anyone tried to give her trouble at the entrance, she''d just turn around and leave.


    So Ste boarded the ship without any issues.


    The cruise ship was massive-far more opulent than she''d imagined. Everything gleamed gold and crystal, the kind of extravagant luxury that made you feel dizzy just looking around.


    During her years with the Williams family, Ste had seen her fair share of grand events, but even among those, this ship was easily in the top five for sheer ostentation.


    "Pretty impressive, huh? Bet you''ve never set foot in a ce like this before."


    Jasper had appeared behind her without her noticing, cigarette dangling from his lips, his posture casual but his eyes sharp.


    Ste didn''t bother with small talk. "Where''s Rachel?"


    "Getting ready backstage, of course." Jasper exhaled a plume of smoke. "You were married to Haynie for five years, and he never brought you to anything like this, did he? Tonight, you''re only here because Rachel''s on the guest list. You should thank her for giving you a taste of the high


    life."


    Something seemed to ur to him, and a smug grin spread across his face. "Oh, and tonight''s


    performance? It was personally


    arranged by Mr. Walden. Really, you should be grateful. If you hadn''t stepped aside, Rachel would never have had the chance to be his protégé so easily."


    After making his point, Jasper stared at Ste, hoping to catch a flicker of anger or helplessness on her face.


    He''d nned to stir up more trouble for her, but Haynie had given him a stern warning-one more mess involving Ste, and he''d be left to deal with the fallout on his ow


    Even Rachel had told him, et


    off, saying if he kept giving Ste "helpful opportunities," she''d stop talking to him altogether.


    So Jasper had no choice but to let go of his original schemes.


    it


    Still, he hated the idea of Ste having it too easy. If he couldn''t trip her up outright, then getting under her skin would do.


    So, without telling Rachel or Haynie, he''d made sure Ste got invited tonight.