The moment Ste saw the two people sitting in the private dining room, her expression froze.


    Haynes and Rachel.


    Behind her, Lauretta noticed Ste had stopped at the doorway and asked in surprise, “Star, is something wrong?"


    Snapping out of it, Ste replied calmly, "It''s nothing."


    With that, she stepped into the room.


    Rachel''s face registered clear surprise when she saw Ste walk in.


    “Ste? What are you doing here?"


    Rachel was certain she hadn''t invited Ste tonight. Her invitation had been for Lauretta a renowned pianist, a celebrity alumna from Neo-Vespera University''s Hall of Fame, and a fellow Novaris native. They were both alumni and from the same country, which made conversation easy and the invitation all the more natural.


    Of course, under normal circumstances, Rachel never would have managed to invite a pianist of Lauretta''s caliber, even if they were schoolmates. It was only thanks to Haynes'' help that she''d been able to pull it off.


    Lauretta entered behind Ste, offering an easy smile. "Hello, I''m Lauretta, and this is my close friend, Ste. Forgive me for asking, but do you all know each other?"


    Rachel''s eyes widened in disbelief at the words "close friend." How on earth had Ste befriended someone as distinguished as Lauretta?


    Haynes, too, hadn''t expected Ste to know Lauretta. Considering Ste''s social circle, how could she possibly be friends with a woman from such a privileged background?


    With a smooth, deep voice, Haynes exined, "Yes, she''s the mother of my child."


    Even Lauretta, who prided herself on herposure, couldn''t hide her surprise. "You''re Star''s ex-husband?"


    Over the past few days, Lauretta had heard from Abby all about the


    reasons behind Ste''s divorce-the whole messy story. How could. someone as remarkable as have been rejected by her own husband and inws, all for the sake of a so-called "first love"? The more Lauretta thought about it, the more her gaze shifted toward Rachel.


    So, this woman must be Haynes'' so-called "first love."


    Quickly regaining her poise, Lauretta''s expression smoothed out, her polite smile never faltering. Rachel, however, felt an odd flutter of unease.


    Once Ste and Lauretta were seated, Lauretta asked, “Mr. O''Brien, may I ask what this meeting is about?"


    Haynes nced briefly at Ste


    before responding, "In three months,


    Rachel will be holding a concert. I


    withb


    vel


    heard that you and Rachel were


    ssmates at university, Ms.


    Chapman, so I wanted to invite you as a special guest performer.”


    Lauretta''s smile was wless, her tone measured and poised. "I''m sorry, but I''m afraid I won''t be avable."


    Haynes'' voice was as clear and cool as spring water. "But to my knowledge, Ms. Chapman, you don''t have any performances orpetitions scheduled during that time."


    Lauretta didn''t deny it; she simply nodded. "That''s true. I''ve cleared my schedule for something important during those months."


    She''d heard that Ste needed her


    help and, without a second thought, had canceled every show andpetition she had lined up. Nothing was more important than a friend in need. Katrina and Wendy had done the same.


    By this point, Lauretta''s intentions were obvious.


    But suddenly Rachel spoke up, "Ms. Chapman, is the reason you don''t want to be


    my guest performer because of Ms. Cameron?"


    Lauretta''s eyes flickered. The people she usually dealt with were socialites and debutantes—no matter how heated the argument, everyone made sure to leave each other a little dignity.