"A wless performance, as always. Mr. Walden certainly has an impable eye." "And she''s beautiful, too. The more I look at her, the more stunning she seems." "Another musical prodigy, it seems. The industry is about to wee a new star." "After tonight, Ms. Pearce has made quite the impression in front of all these influential people. Her future''s practically limitless."


    Rachel dipped into a deep bow, then left the stage to thunderous apuse.


    After Rachel''s performance, Ste made no move to get up and find her. Instead, she stayed in her seat, content to enjoy the rest of the show.


    About half an hourter, the music segment wrapped up, and other acts began to take the stage.


    Ste checked the time and decided it was finally time to look for Rachel.


    But as she headed backstage, she was met by a burst of loud voices.


    It suddenly struck Ste as odd: after all this time watching the concert, Jasper hadn''t called to hurry her along-not even once.


    Could it be...


    Drawn by themotion, Ste walked toward the noise and found a crowd gathered outside a room.


    Peering through the gaps, she saw Haynes carrying a woman out in his arms.


    The woman looked a mess-Haynes''s suit jacket draped over her shoulders, hair disheveled, one cheek swollen and red.


    It was Rachel.


    Jasper pushed his way out of nowhere,ing to stand beside Haynes.


    Haynes turned, his gaze sharp. "Did you find out what happened?"


    Jasper''s jaw was tight with anger. "The guy who assaulted Rachel is Hank-some spoiled trust-fund brat, pretty notorious in these circles. Apparently, it was the first time he''did eyes on Rachel. Thought she was just some fresh face, had too much to drink, and got the wrong idea..."


    "But


    amp over his head. He''s in


    hreatening to make her p hought back-smashed I now with a concussion


    for it..."


    Hank?


    Ste''s eyes narrowed. She remembered hearing that name back when she was with the Williams family his family was a powerful conglomerate.


    Haynes''s voice cut through the air, cold as steel. "From this day forward, I don''t want to hear that name in Novaris again."


    Ste instantly understood-Hank was about to be cklisted in Novaris.


    Jasper nodded. "Understood. I''ll take care of it."


    "Wait."


    Haynes stopped him with a word.


    Jasper turned. "Yeah, Haynie? Something else?"


    Haynes''s dark eyes were icy. "A scumbag like that doesn''t deserve to walk free. Make sure he ends up behind bars."


    Jasper let out a mirthlessugh. "Don''t worry. I''ll see to it he gets a proper wee inside."


    Watching all this, Ste couldn''t help but think of an old saying: A man''s fury sparked for the woman he loves.


    Someone with Hank''s family connections-just like that, he was being sent to prison. No one even blinked at the thought of crossing


    such a powerful family.


    Rachel''s voice was soft. "Haynie, I''m fine, really. You don''t need to go to war for me..."


    Before she could finish, Haynes''s voice snapped, cold and unyielding.


    "Nothing serious? Then tell me what would you call serious?"


    Rachel lowered her gaze. "I''m sorry. I haven''t been back home long. I don''t know how things work here yet. never imagined someone would be so bold. If I''d known, I would have stayed away from him..."


    She seemed about to say more, but just then she caught sight of Ste in the crowd.


    Rachel paused. “Ms. Cameron? What are you doing here? Were you looking for Haynie?"