As Ste''s performance ended, a hush fell over the hall,sting just a few heartbeats.


    Then, someone-no one could say who-began to apud. In an instant, the entire room erupted in thunderous apuse, echoing off the high ceilings.


    Those who understood music could tell just how wless this performance had been. Yet even those who knew nothing about violin found themselves deeply moved by the melody, offering their apuse without hesitation.


    This rendition of “Moonlight” had brought the evening to its dazzling peak.


    Ste''s ying was unlike anything the other performers had offered; her music seemed to shimmer with life. Even the uninitiated could appreciate its beauty.


    It was nothing like those lifeless, dreary recitals people so often endured.


    From her seat in the audience, Florrie let out a breathless exmation. "She''s incredible! Even I, who knows nothing about the violin, feel like listening to her is pure joy. She and my brother look like a perfect match up there!"


    She shook her head in wonder. "No wonder Antoney doesn''t want toe home. If I were him...I wouldn''t want to leave either."


    Florrie had already learned from Nicolle that the woman on stage was her brother Antoney''s protégé.


    She knew, now, that Ste was a major reason why Antoney refused to return home.


    Nicolle shot Florrie a warning re, her eyes sharp with disapproval.


    Catching her father''s look, Florrie lowered her voice, muttering, "But she really is beautiful, and she has such a unique presence... Even among the socialites I know, she''s easily one of the most striking."


    Nicolle gave a dismissive snort. "Socialites? With yourck of refinement, do you really consider yourself one?"


    Florrie coughed awkwardly. "Dad, can you not embarrass me in front of all these people?"


    Nicolle nodded toward another girl sitting further down the row. "Look at Aurora. That''s what a truedy should be. If you could be even half as polished as she is, I''d die a happy man."


    Florrie pouted. "Aurora''s in a league of her own, the gold standard for everyone. If I ever matched up to even half of her, I''d be considered above average. Let''s be real, do I stand a chance?"


    Nicolle could only shake his head in exasperated silence.


    Florrie''s gaze drifted back to the stage. She said quietly, "Dad, since Ste''s


    Antoney''s protégé, maybe after the performance I should try talking to her. If I can


    win her over, maybe she can convince my brother toe home."


    Nicolle hesitated. "But-"


    Florrie cut him off, "Dad, it''s a good thing you only pushed Antoney and didn''t try anything against Ste. might be upset, but at least he


    when Mom died, Antoney was leftall


    doesn''t resent you. After all not


    alone, with barely any money. It was Ste''s mother who took him in, made him her student, and paid for his schooling. That''s the only reason he''se this far."


    "She helped him get into Neo-Vespera University-his education and character are just as good as any spoiled rich kid''s. When ites time for him to take over the family business, no one will be able to criticize him. Honestly, you should be grateful you didn''tpletely lose your head back then..."


    Nicolle''s eyes shed with anger. "Do you think I''m that foolish?"


    The truth was, Antoney''s biological mother had never been as capable as Ste''s. She was an ordinary woman with limited means, always hiding from Nicolle''s ex-wife,


    scraping by in near poverty. After her


    death, Antoney, still just a boy, survived on meagermunity support.


    If Ste''s mother hadn''t stepped in, Antoney would have dropped out of school to work long ago. Even if Nicolle had eventually found him, his son''s prospects would have been bleak.


    In many ways, Ste''s mother was a savior to the Watson family.


    Now that she was gone, they owed it to her memory to treat her daughter with kindness.


    After a moment''s thought, Nicolle said, "Go and befriend Ste. Her mother once helped Antoney, and as a token of gratitude, the Watsons can acknowledge her as family—a foster daughter, if she''s willing."