For a moment, the air inside the car felt thick, as if time itself had paused.


    Ste''s response was audacious-almost shockingly so. She hadn''t spared Rachel even a passing thought.


    Even Mr. Walden, who usually preferred to ignore the squabbles between his younger colleagues, couldn''t help but frown. He fixed his gaze on Ste, his toneyered with meaning. "Ms. Cameron, sometimes talent and skill aren''t everything. I''ve met many gifted musicians who,epetition day, found themselves thrown off by circumstances beyond their control and failed to perform at their best. Some, after a few setbacks, never recovered. And then there are those with less apparent talent who, thanks to a few lucky breaks, end up standing at the top."


    He paused, then added, "Sometimes, luck is a part of one''s ability."


    Ste caught the implication. Mr. Walden was suggesting that, while Rachel might not be as talented, meeting him was just the stroke of luck she needed. Meanwhile, Ste''s own abilities, impressive as they were, might not guarantee her a ce above Rachel in the future.


    But Ste only smiled, unruffled by his words.


    "I''m not sure I agree with you there, Mr. Walden."


    Mr. Walden was not ustomed to being challenged so directly. He narrowed his blue eyes. "And what do you think, Ms. Cameron?"


    Ste brushed a stray drop of water from her hair, her smile calm. "If a few external factors can throw someone off their game, I''d say their skills or talent aren''t strong enough. I won''t deny that luck ys a role-but when you have true ability, luck can only take you so far. At the highest level, it''s skill that decides everything."


    Mr. Walden''s eyes hardened, his gaze turning frosty. Rachel, riding in the passenger seat, sat frozen for a long moment, unable to process what she''d just heard. Ste had actually said something so O brazen-right to Mr. Walden''s face. Did she even realize who she was talking to? Even the most powerful families, like the Burtons and the Williamses, treated Mr. Walden with utmost respect.


    With the Burtons and the Williamses backing her Ste was getting so arrogant she didn''t know which way was up. Rachel sneered inwardly. The more Ste offended Mr.. Walden, the better. Ste''s


    connections might verme


    connections might be impressive, but in the world of music Mr. Walden was still the authority. Ste would get what wasing to her.


    After a long silence, Mr. Walden finally spoke.


    "Very well. I look forward to seeing how your so-called talent and skill will conquer


    all, Ms. Cameron."


    Ste simply smiled and said nothing more.


    Haynes, who had been quietly


    1.n


    listening to the exchange, his dark eyes as inscrutable as a deep well didn''t say a word. Ste wasn''t worried about offending Mr. Walden. Ever since he''d taken Rachel under his wing, she knew they would never be allies. Besides, from their previous encounters, it was obvious Mr. Walden held a bias against her-and she had no doubt Rachel was behind it. Rachel had always yed the victim, and people naturally sided with the underdog. With Rachel poisoning his ear, it was inevitable that she and Mr. Walden


    would end up on opposite sides. Ste had no intention of swallowing her pride.


    When they arrived at the studio, Haynes pulled over. Ste thanked him, then got out and went inside.


    As soon as Ste left, Haynes, who''d been silent the whole way, finally spoke up. "Mr. Walden, Ste has always been straightforward. Please don''t take her words to heart."


    Mr. Walden''s expression was unreadable.


    "Young people," he said, "it''s normal for them to be a bit proud. They haven''t yet tasted the hardships of life."