Never turn down a free opportunity.


    After exchanging a few words with her friends and giving Abby somest-minute instructions, Ste headed toward the concert hall.


    Once inside, she realized the entire event was tailored specifically for Rachel-a performance sponsored just for her. In other words, everything revolved around Rachel; everyone else was simply there to make her shine.


    Ste had expected as much. After all, with The O''Brien Group and The Wilkinson Group footing the bill, it was obvious they wanted to put Rachel in the spotlight.


    Just as Ste was about to look for Rachel, someone suddenly shouted, "Ms. Pearce is hurt!" Instant chaos erupted backstage.


    Ste asked around for details and quickly learned that, during the final rehearsal bow, one of the female pianists had identally stepped on the train of Rachel''s dress, causing Rachel to stumble and scrape her knee.


    Jasper red furiously at the flustered pianist. His voice was cold and biting. "You did that on purpose, didn''t you? You kept messing up during rehearsal this morning, forcing Rachel to redo her parts over and over. Don''t think I don''t know you''re targeting her-everyone knows Rachel''s health isn''t great!"


    The pianist stared at him, bbergasted. "That''s not true! Ms. Pearce was just off her game this morning, it had nothing to do with me. She was the one insisting on perfection, that''s why we kept rehearsing."


    Jasper ignored her protests. "Rachel''s dedication is no excuse for you to bully her!"


    "I wasn''t-honestly, I wasn''t trying to make things difficult for her. Besides, why would I have any reason to target Ms. Pearce?"


    Jasper sneered, "Oh, still denying it? Everyone can see how you hover around Haynes every time he''s here, shamelessly trying to get his attention right in front of Rachel. Flirting with someone else''s man in broad daylight—have you no shame?"


    Just then, a clear,manding voice cut through themotion.


    "What''s going on here?"


    Jasper spun around, instantly deferring like a watchdog whose owner had just arrived. He recounted the events with dramatic embellishments, painting the pianist as though she''dmitted some unforgivable crime against Rachel.


    "Haynes, just look-Rachel''s leg is still bruised!"


    Rachel, pale and shaken, tried to interject. "Haynes, I''m fine... It really was just an ident. She didn''t mean to—"


    Jasper''s eyes filled with sympathy


    as he gazed at Rachel''s injured knee. "Rachel, you''re too kind for your own good. There''s plenty of space


    there, but she just happened to step


    on your dress? If that''s not deliberate, what is?"


    Without another word, Haynes lifted Rachel up from the floor. His tone was cool and final. "Rece the pianist."


    The pianist''s eyes widened in shock, and she nearly burst into tears. "Mr. O''Brien, please-I swear it wasn''t on purpose. Just give me another chance!"


    Haynes''s voice was ice. "Step aside. Don''t make me repeat myself."


    Someone quickly pulled her out of Haynes''s path, clearing the way as he carried Rachel out.


    Once Haynes was gone, a stagehand leaned toward the pianist and whispered, "It''s just a recement. You can always audition for another show. But if you cross Mr. O''Brien, you''ll never work in this industry again."


    Tears streamed down her face. "I spent four monthspeting for this role-four months! I finally made I it, and now it''s over... I swear, I never did anything to Ms. Pearce. Who in their right mind would dare mess with her?"


    The stagehand lowered his voice. "I know you didn''t, but rememberst time, when you offered Mr. O''Brien a drink? Maybe that''s what rubbed them the wrong way."


    "But I was just being polite! I even brought a cup for Ms. Pearce. There was nothing more to it—"


    "I know. But if they decide they don''t like you, what can you do? It''s just bad luck, I guess."


    The official concert hadn''t even started, and already the chosen pianist-selected from hundreds of applicants-was being reced. Whispers rippled through the rehearsal hall.