Besides, there was the studio-and all the music she''dposed.


    Rachel''s smile froze on her face.


    Haynes''s words carried a trace of guilt toward Ste. Whenever he started to feel he owed Ste something, his loyalties would shift in Ste''s favor.


    Rachel knew Haynes wasn''t entirely blind to what was going on, nor was she innocent in her actions. She was perfectly aware that what she''d done was wrong.


    But she did it anyway.


    When Rachel''s final concert fell through, everything had to make way for her.


    If Haynes ever found out her illness was a lie...


    Everything she had now would be ruthlessly stripped away.


    No. She couldn''t let that happen.


    A chill flickered in Rachel''s eyes at the thought.


    ***


    A few dayster, Ste''s phone rang. It was Rachel.


    “Ms. Cameron, I spoke to my mentor about arranging a performance for you, but...he doesn''t have the best impression of you, so he''s unwilling to help."


    She paused, letting the words hang.


    "But since I already gave you my word, I intend to keep it. I''ve asked Haynie and Jasper, and they''re both willing to sponsor a concert. So, Ms. Cameron, would you be interested?"


    Ste never turned down an opportunity. "Of course."


    Rachel hesitated for half a second. "Great. Tomorrow we''re shooting some publicity for the event. If you''d like to stop by, you''re more than wee."


    "Then please send me the address, Ms. Pearce."


    As soon as the call ended, Rachel''s eyes turned cold.


    She''d gone out of her way to spell things out, and still, Ste was eager to get close. Was it really about the performance—or was it about Haynes?


    Lately, she and Jasper had been outmaneuvered by Ste every single time.


    And Haynes, though always iming to help, was clearly beginning to take Ste''s side.


    Otherwise, after what Ste had done to him, she''d never be standing here safe and sound.


    A knock sounded at the door. Jasper walked in, looking frustrated.


    "Rachel, that alumna you mentioned? She''s impossible. I even told them you''re Mr. Walden''s protégé, but they still acted all high and mighty! If you ask me, forget about inviting them as special guests. Just get your fellow


    protégés involved-they''re more


    famous anyway."


    Rachel snapped out of her thoughts. "Sure, Mr. Walden''s students are stars in their own right. But the music world isn''t just made up of his protégés. There are people in the Neo espera University Hall of Fame with even greater achievements. If I could invite them as special guests, that would make my concert truly perfect."


    Jasper frowned. "But no matter what I offer, they say they''re busy. Honestly, those foreign women are harder to deal with than Mr. Walden himself."


    Rachel considered for a moment. "Maybe they just don''t think we''re sincere enough. Here''s what I want


    u to do: find out where they are. If


    Yove to, I''ll fly to Solmaris myself."


    She''d managed to win over Mr. Walden; she refused to believe she couldn''t


    persuade a fellow alumna from the same academy.


    ***


    Meanwhile, at Neo-Vespera Airport.


    Three young women-all strikingly beautiful-spotted Ste and rushed over, wrapping her in a tight group hug.


    "Star, we''ve missed you like crazy!"