Keen''s heart raced as he watched a crowd gather around his mother, voices rising as if they meant to throw her out. He couldn''t hold back any longer.


    "Mom," he blurted out, "if you just apologize to Rachel about what happenedst time, Dad will help you."


    A few weeks ago, Rachel hadnded in the hospital again after falling into theke.


    When Keen went to visit her, Mr. Wilkinson pulled him aside, saying that his mother had pushed Rachel into the water in front of everyone. Keen had asked his father if it was true, and he hadn''t denied it.


    Now, seeing his mother surrounded like this, Keen could only assume his father was still angry about the incident-and refusing to help her because of it.


    But when Ste looked at him, her gaze was so calm and prating that Keen suddenly felt uneasy.


    "There''s no need," Ste replied quietly.


    Her answer made Haynes''s dark eyes grow even colder, his handsome features tightening into a scowl.


    All she''d need to do was tell the manager she was Keen''s mother-exin she was here for her child-and he''d step in, call off the crowd, and resolve everything. But Ste said nothing.


    "Star! There you are-I''ve been looking everywhere-Oh, isn''t this Mr. O''Brien?"


    A tall, striking man strode over, his sharp gaze flicking over the group. For a moment, something sly shed in his eyes.


    "Evening, everyone. What a coincidence."


    No one seemed surprised to see Neville Connolly among them. The Connollys weren''t at the very top of society, but they were solidly among the elite; an invitation for him wasn''t out of the ordinary.


    The manager clearly recognized Neville and immediately straightened, greeting him with respect. "Mr. Connolly."


    Neville''s expression shifted just slightly. "What''s going on here?"


    The manager spoke in a low voice. "Someone said thisdy slipped into the party without an invitation... Mr. Connolly, you know the family''s rules."


    Neville smiled. "She''s my guest."


    As he spoke, his gaze flickered meaningfully over Jasper and Rachel.


    "Would you like to check the invitations again?"


    The manager looked momentarily embarrassed, then turned to Ste. "I''m very sorry, miss. I misunderstood."


    Ste didn''t seem bothered. "It''s fine."


    After all, she didn''t have an invitation or a staff badge.


    Seeing Neville step in for Ste, Rachel''s pretty face twisted


    jealousy. She knew she wo with el


    able to


    3 Ste up tonight, no


    what.


    tbe


    How lucky could she get? Divorced from Haynes, but instantly on Neville''s arm.


    Without Neville, Rachel thought, she''d have crushed Ste like an ant by now.


    Neville nced at Keen, then smiled at Ste. "Star, do you want to catch up with them for a bit?"


    Ste shook her head. "No, thanks."


    The show would start soon; she had no desire to stand around arguing.


    Neville''s gaze swept over the group, lingering atst on Deanna, who stood nearby, looking at Ste with open disdain. Deanna had always sneered at Ste''s modest


    background.


    If only she knew the truth about Ste''s family—and that she''d caught the eye of


    Mr. Burton. That would be a sight to see.


    Of everyone here, only Neville knew Mr. Burton''s real identity.


    To Ste


    show


    as the others, tonight''s


    just another charity


    how important it really wheel


    perfore. But Neville k


    Mr. Burton was here for Ste''s sake. He''d even invited Mr. Walden to attend.


    If Ste had what it took, she''d seize this chance to put Mr. Walden in his ce— and finally prove herself to everyone.