"Honestly, things like this don''t really bother me anymore-I''ve gotten used to it," Ste said with a wry smile.


    After all, she''d weathered some of the nastiest online attacks imaginable;pared to those, this was nothing.


    She offered Mr. Burton a few more words of reassurance before hanging up. "In a few days, I''ll bring Marvin Connolly by to see you."


    No sooner had she ended the call than she received a message: the official schedule for the violinpetition had arrived.


    Last time, she''d made it through the preliminaries. Now, the realpetition would begin tomorrow.


    Ste didn''t have much time to dwell on everything else. Her energy needed to be focused elsewhere.


    As for the rumors swirling online, well, Sellers would have to handle them himself -he could step in and put a stop to things when he finally had the guts for it.


    For now, she was content to let Jasper and Sellers bite at each other for a while, freeing her up to throw herself into thepetition.


    The next morning, Joshua drove Ste to the concert hall.


    Her car luck had been abysmaltelyst time, her newly modified car broke down halfway, and before that, she''d even collided with Sellers.


    Abby, convinced Ste was jinxed on the road, tly refused to let her drive herself anymore.


    Since this was only the first round, Ste didn''t bother bringing her prized violin, Nocturne Ste. She was so far ahead of the otherpetitors that it would have felt like bullying to bring out her best instrument.


    Thispetition was a big deal, and the opening day had drawn quite a crowd; every contestant seemed to be surrounded by friends and family.


    Except for Ste. She had only Joshua by her side, which made her look a bit solitary.


    Abby, Antoney, and even Neville and Marvin hadn''t spared the preliminary round a second thought. In their eyes, Ste was destined to win it all-why waste time on the early stages?


    Joshua handed her the violin case. "Good luck, Ms. Cameron. If you need anything, I''m right here."


    Ste epted it with a grateful nod. "Thanks."


    Just as she was about to head into the hall, a gentle voice called out behind her.


    "Star."


    She turned and spotted Foreman standing a little ways off.


    "Foreman?" Ste blinked in surprise. "What are you doing here?"


    A sh of something sharp crossed his eyes before he smiled. “I''m here looking for Haynie."


    He paused, as if mentioning it casually. "Ms. Pearce ispeting today, so Haynie''s here to cheer


    on. I was nearby finalizing a


    contract, so I thought I''d stop next


    just ran into you while looking for


    him.”


    The mention of Haynie didn''t even elicit a flicker from Ste. She''d long since stopped caring about him. If he wanted toe and support Rachel, it was nothing out of the ordinary.


    Seeing she wasn''t interested in discussing Haynie, Foreman smoothly changed the subject.


    He nodded toward Joshua, who stood quietly by Ste''s side.


    "Star, I''ve seen this gentleman with you several times now. May I ask who he is?"


    Ste realized she''d never introduced them. "This is Joshua, my assistant. Joshua, this is Foreman, a friend of mine."


    Joshua smiled and extended his hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Richards."


    Foreman shook his hand warmly. "Nice to meet you too, Joshua."


    After the introductions, Foreman turned back to Ste.


    "So, you''repeting today as well?"


    Ste nodded.


    "Perfect, I''ve got some free time—I''ll stick around and root for you," Foreman said with a smile. Then, as if anticipating her refusal, he added, "Haynie will be waiting on Rachel for ages, so I''ve got plenty of time to


    spare."  nee