Rachel was shockingly blunt.


    Yet Lauretta''s smile didn''t falter for a moment. Her tone remained calm and polite, gracious as ever.


    "I''m sorry, Ms. Pearce, but this is a personal matter. I don''t owe you an exnation."


    Rachel paused, caught off guard.


    Lauretta''s manner stayed friendly, but there was a subtle sharpness behind her words now.


    "And, Ms. Pearce, it''s quite rude to make malicious assumptions about others."


    Rachel''s expression flickered.


    Just seeing Ste there had already tipped her off-Lauretta was definitely going to refuse her request.


    At that moment, a man''s deep, pleasant voice broke the tension.


    "Ms. Chapman, Rachel is terminally ill, and this might be her final concert. I hope, as fellow alumni, you''d be willing to help her out."


    Haynes hesitated, his voice unusually sincere.


    "If you''re willing, I''ll owe you a favor. Or, if you have any conditions, just name them."


    Lauretta gave a gentle, wless smile.


    "I truly sympathize with Ms. Pearce''s situation. But I''m sorry-I''ve already promised a friend to help her, and I can''t go back on my word.


    After all, integrity is the foundation of character.


    I''m afraid I must decline, Mr. O''Brien and Ms. Pearce. You''ll have to find someone else."


    With those words, Lauretta effectively blocked every avenue Haynes had tried.


    Lauretta was Ms. Chapman, after all. If word got out that she broke a promise, it could damage her family''s reputation. That kind of consequence was more than anyone at the table could afford.


    Rachel''s resentment toward Ste only deepened. If it wasn''t for Ste interfering, Lauretta might have agreed to be her special guest, given Haynes''s influence. That way,


    Rachel could have used the concert to befriend Lauretta and finally break into high society.


    But now, with things as they were, Haynes had no choice but to drop it and look for another solution.


    He tried to change the subject. "It''s almost lunchtime. Ms. Chapman, why don''t you stay for a meal before you go?"


    Haynes was just being polite; he


    didn''t actually expect Lauretta toet


    ept she''d just turned them down, after all. Why would she want to spend more time with them?


    To his surprise, Lauretta smiled and agreed easily. "Thank you, Mr. O''Brien. That would be lovely."


    It was just a meal, after all. Hardly a favor worth counting.


    Haynes called the waiter over.


    Lauretta picked up the menu and turned toward Ste, who was sitting beside her.


    "Star, you know this ce better than I do. What do you rmend?"


    Ste took the menu and pointed out a few dishes.


    Lauretta chose two from Ste''s suggestions.


    "Star, you still like spicy food, right? Your tastes haven''t changed all these years?" Ste nodded.


    "Great, then let''s go with these two," Lauretta decided.


    She also ordered two sses of Ste''s favorite juice.


    Haynes''s dark eyes narrowed slightly.


    He''d doubted that Lauretta and Ste were genuinely close-after all, they came from such different worlds. But watching the ease and familiarity between them, the way they knew each other''s preferences and shared a natural rapport, he realized they were far more than casual friends.


    Maybe... they really were best friends.


    Once the two had finished ordering, Haynes suddenly asked, "Ms. Chapman, I''m


    curious-how did you and Star meet?"