Even if Ste produced Raven''s ID, they could just im it was fake.


    She''d admitted to Ste''s identity herself as Ms. Chapman, yet neither of them wanted to believe it.


    They clung to any excuse not to trust her, which was precisely why Star couldn''t be bothered to exin further.


    Rachel met Lauretta''s gaze head-on. "Even if Ms. Chapman says so herself, you and Ste are friends. It''s only natural you''d want to talk your friend up, don''t you think?"


    But Lauretta only turned to Haynes. "Mr. O''Brien, do you not believe me either?"


    Haynes stayed silent; his expression said enough.


    Lauretta realized there was no point in arguing, so she simply let it drop. "If you don''t believe me, then so be it."


    The four of them finished their meal in almostplete silence, conversation dying off entirely.


    Once the tes were nearly cleared, Ste began to rise and politely excuse herself, only for Haynes to finally speak up.


    "Ms. Chapman, may I ask-what could be so important that you can''t spare even a single day?"


    He still hadn''t let go of the idea of Lauretta epting the guest performer invitation.


    Lauretta was about to issue another polite deflection, but Ste, who had been quiet for most of the meal, spoke up instead.


    "She''s my featured guest at my own concert," Ste said. "She won''t have time to appear at Ms. Pearce''s event."


    Lauretta had never brought this up, not because she was afraid of Haynes, but because she didn''t want Ste to bear the brunt of their resentment.


    She''d grown up among the wealthy and powerful, and she''d seen this kind of thing too often: whenever she refused to attend someone''s event, they''d always find a way to hold it against someone else—usually the person closest to her. The reason was simple.


    They didn''t dare aim their frustration at her directly, so they turned it on Ste instead.


    Ste understood this all too well.


    But since she''d already burned her bridges with Haynes and his circle, she hardly cared what they thought of her now.


    Haynes''s brow furrowed. He''d


    BUT


    known for some time that Ste was holding her own concert, scheduled for roughly the same period as Rachel''s. It wasn''t as if Ste had deliberately picked the same dates;


    that time of year was simply the prime season for concerts.


    After a few moments of silence, Haynes spoke again. "Ms. Chapman, Star and Rachel''s concerts probably aren''t going to be on the exact same day. There''s no reason you couldn''t attend both. If you''re willing, we''re more than happy to adjust our schedule to amodate you."


    Ste heard this and couldn''t help butugh bitterly to herself.


    They really wanted it both ways.


    Maybe they weren''t openly fighting her for Lauretta, but this maneuver was still distasteful.


    Lauretta shook her head. "Mr. O''Brien, organizing a concert isn''t as simple as you think. I need time to rehearse before I perform, and I''ll also be busy with Star''s concert rehearsals. There''s simply no way I could fit anything else in."


    Haynes wasn''t naive. He knew a featured guest wouldn''t be on stage the entire evening-if the timing was managed right, Lauretta could theoretically do both.


    He gave up trying to convince her, turning his attention to Ste instead.


    No matter how they''d be friends, Lauretta''s stance was clear: when it came


    to choosing sides, she was with Ste.


    If he wanted to persuade Lauretta, he''d have to start with Ste.


    "Star," he said, his voice much softer and more restrained than before. "Since Ms. Chapman is your friend I''m sure you want her to prioritize your concert. As for Rachel''s event, she''d only need to appear and y a single piece. It wouldn''t take much of her time."