The moment Haynes spoke, all three women in the room instinctively turned to look at him.


    Star.


    Haynes almost never used such an intimate nickname for Ste.


    Actually, to be precise, he never did.


    He always called her by her full name. The closest he''d evere to familiarity was a clipped "Mrs. O''Brien."


    Now, hearing him say "Star," not only the others—even Ste herself-felt a chill run up her spine, goosebumps prickling her arms.


    Rachel''s smile was already strained, and now it barely held together.


    Lauretta, for her part, looked genuinely surprised. Hadn''t Star and Haynes gotten divorced? Why was he suddenly calling her so affectionately?


    Trying to smooth things over, Lauretta replied, "Star and I were ssmates in college."


    "College?" Haynes''s eyes widened, clearly taken aback. "You... you were ssmates in college?"


    Lauretta already knew from Abby that Haynes and his circle had always looked down on Ste, constantly making snide remarks about her supposedly only having a middle school education.


    She arched a brow, challenging him. "Is there a problem with that?"


    For some reason, Rachel seemed uncharacteristically rattled today. She jumped in, "I heard Ms. Cameron only finished middle school. How could you two have been college ssmates? Ms. Chapman, are you sure you''re not mistaken?"


    Lauretta gave Rachel a bemused look. "I think I would remember whether or not Star and I were ssmates. Don''t you, Ms. Pearce? Are you suggesting I don''t know my own past?"


    Rachel faltered, caught off guard and speechless.


    Haynes pressed on, "Ms. Chapman, which college did you attend together?"


    Lauretta''s voice was calm andposed. "You invited me here as a special guest. I would''ve thought you''d at least know a little about me... But it seems you''re just interested in my name and reputation."


    At that, Rachel''s face darkened.


    Lauretta continued, “Star and I both went to Neo-Vespera University."


    She shot Rachel a sidelong nce. "We were both inducted into the Hall of Fame there. That''s actually where we met."


    "The Hall of Fame?" Rachel''s


    expression changed entirely, heret


    voice climbing in pitch, incredulous. "That''s impossible! How cou


    she


    possibly be in the Hall of Fame?!"


    Lauretta still looked as pleasant as ever. "And why couldn''t she be?"


    Rachel''s tone grew shrill. "I went to Neo-Vespera University myself. I never heard of Ste, never even saw her!"


    Lauretta smiled gently. "Tell me, Ms. Pearce-how many Hall of Fame members


    have you actually met in person?"


    Rachel''s agitated expression froze.


    At Neo-Vespera, only about half the Hall of Fame members ever


    revealed their photos or showed


    their faces. The rest preferred t


    keep their identities private, whether because of their personal lives, a dislike of attention, shyness, or simply a desire for privacy.


    No one thought that was unusual.


    Artists, after all, tend to have their own quirks and entricities.


    Neo-Vespera was packed with prodigies. Rachel herself was no stranger to


    people with unconventional personalities.


    Some Hall of Fame members were so private, they didn''t even give a real name— just a casual codename.


    So being camera-shy or secretive wasn''t unusual at all.


    Still, Rachel wasn''t ready to let it go. "Ms. Chapman, words are cheap."


    Every Hall of Fame member had a badge with their name and photo engraved on


    it. If Ste really had one, wouldn''t she have shown it off long ago? Why wait until now?


    Lauretta just smiled quietly. "Do you really think I''d lie about something like this, Ms. Pearce?"


    Back when she was at Neo-Vespera, Ste used the name Raven, and never showed her face. Even if she produced her badge, Rachel and Haynes probably wouldn''t believe it was hers.