"It was Jasper who asked me to bring the sheet music over," Ste said.


    Rachel''s thoughts clicked into ce; she instantly understood what Jasper was up


    to.


    Finally, Jasper had done something that actually made sense.


    She lowered hershes, her tone apologetic. "Ms. Cameron, I''m so sorry. Something came up on my end, and you made the trip for nothing today."


    Ste smiled lightly. "No worries. Let''s just say Mr. Wilkinson treated me to a concert."


    Rachelughed. "That''s right. Ms. Cameron, you don''t often get to see performances at this level, do you? Actually, to be honest, neither do I. If it weren''t for my mentor pulling some strings, I doubt I''d ever get the chance to attend something like this."


    As she spoke, Rachel nced at Haynes, her expression tinged with genuine gratitude. "Of course, I have to thank Haynie as well for introducing me to Mr. Walden."


    Ste heard this and scoffed inwardly.


    She knew exactly what sort of underhanded tricks Rachel had used tond a meeting with Mr. Walden, yet here she was, parading it in public,pletely shameless and even proud of herself.


    Some people really were unbelievable.


    With a polite smile, Ste replied, "Ms. Pearce, I must say, your self-awareness surprises me."


    Rachel caught the sarcasm, but her smile didn''t waver. "It must be rare for you to get such a coveted performance slot, Ms. Cameron. Should I ask my mentor to introduce you to some opportunities as well?"


    Ste grinned. "That would be wonderful. Thank you, Ms. Pearce."


    Rachel''s smile faltered for a split second.


    She''d been certain Ste would never ept such an offer in front of Haynes. After all, Ste had been nothing but proud and unyieldingtely.


    When Rachel fell silent, Ste arched an eyebrow. "Is there a problem, Ms. Pearce? Or was that just an empty offer?"


    Rachel was weighed down by all sorts of expectations in front of Haynes-Ste, however, was not. There was no reason to refuse a handout.


    Rachel hurried to recover. "Of course not. If you''re willing, I''ll speak to my mentor about it."


    As she said this, Rachel''s eyes flickered almost imperceptibly toward Haynes.


    He made no move to object, his gaze lingering thoughtfully on Ste''s departing figure. Rachel''s heart sank.


    Ste nodded. “Then I''ll thank you in advance, Ms. Pearce."


    "I have some things to take care of, so I''ll be off," Rachel said, forcing a smile. "Once I have any news, I''ll let you know."


    "All right. I hope you won''t take too long-my own concert ising up soon. If it''s toote, I might not have time to prepare."


    On the surface, their exchange was nothing but cordial-one would


    never guess they were rivals,


    They


    sounded more like old friends catching up after years apart.


    Rachel''s smile barely held. "Of course."


    Ste didn''t linger; she turned and left.


    Once Ste was gone, Rachel''s eyes flicked sideways and she dropped her voice. "Haynie, I just offered to help Ms. Cameron find some gigs. You don''t think I was overstepping, do you?"


    "Not at all," Haynes said, his eyes lingering on the ce where Ste had disappeared. "After all, we took an opportunity that should have been hers. It''s only fair to make it up to her. Besides, the studio you''re running now? That came from her, too. Now that she''s yourposer, there''s nothing wrong with staying on good terms."


    Rachel frowned. "But wepensated her ten million, at that. Ms. Cameron didn''t lose out; if anything, she gained."


    Haynes''s gaze was dark, imprable. "Rachel, money isn''t everything. When ites to Mr. Walden, that ten million was hardly enough."