"I bet she''s just scared that she''ll get exposed for not being all that talented, especially in those international circles," someone sneered. "No matter how much power she throws around here, it''s not like her influence stretches overseas. She''s only impressive in her own backyard."


    Rachel, who had been silent so far, finally spoke up. “I suppose I could tolerate most things, but her utterck of respect for her mentor-I just can''t ept that."


    She went on to recount, in detail, how Ste hadpletely disregarded Mr. Walden during thestpetition, showing not a shred of respect.


    Everyone listened, frowning deeply. Whatever good impression they''d had of Ste was gone in an instant.


    Rena scoffed. "It''s a disgrace to our profession that someone like her is even active in the music world."


    Johnny chimed in, "I''ve epted Novaris''s invitation this time. Didn''t our youngest say she''ll be at thepetition too? If she really dares disrespect our teacher like that, I want to see just how arrogant she can be."


    David, the brown-haired man, added, "She even has the nerve to exploit herte mother''s memory for publicity. Someone needs to teach this clueless little brat a lesson."


    Rachel''s lips curled into a barely perceptible smile as she watched everyone bristling with righteous indignation.


    But Mr. Walden, who disliked gossiping behind people''s backs, cut in firmly. "Enough. Let''s talk about something else."


    The group reluctantly changed the subject.


    Suddenly, David remembered something and turned to Mr. Walden. “Sir, you


    didn''t juste to Novaris for the musical exchange, right? Wasn''t your main goal to find Star?"


    "Have you managed to find Star?"


    The mention of that name sent a jolt through Rachel, her heart pounding. Star? Isn''t that... Ste? Why is Mr. Walden looking for Ste?


    She clenched her sleeve tightly, barely breathing.


    Mr. Walden shook his head. "No, I haven''t."


    Rena asked, “You''re not familiar with the city. Didn''t you ask anyone else to help you look?"


    "I did," Mr. Walden replied. "I asked Haynes to investigate, but even he couldn''t find her."


    After taking Rachel on as hisst apprentice, Mr. Walden had mentioned Star to Haynes, who agreed to help search. But even Haynes hade up empty- handed.


    If even Haynes couldn''t track her down, Mr. Walden had no choice but to give up. Rachel ventured carefully, "Sir, why are you looking for Star?"


    Mr. Walden exined, "There are a few pieces circting online under her name.


    I admire them a great deal. I''d hoped to buy the adaptation rights while I was here."


    He sighed. "Such a shame."


    Afterward, the conversation naturally turned to Star''s originalpositions. Between the lines, everyone expressed genuine admiration and respect.


    Even though Star had thoroughly humiliated them at thest


    envy


    admiration, and grudging


    appreciation. Some every wished


    Star would return to the scene, just


    to put them in their ce again.


    Even Mr. Walden, who was notoriously hard to impress, had nothing but praise for Star.


    As their discussion grew livelier, they ended up heading to Mr. Walden''s music


    studio to y some of the instruments.


    Mr. Walden had purchased a home


    in Novaris,plete with a fully


    equipped music room. Reria, Johnny, David, and Colby picked up various instruments and yed a rendition of "Moonlight" that deft Rachel feeling positively nauseous.


    In that moment, Rachel was desperately grateful that Ste had not signed those three pieces she''d given her as "Star." If Mr. Walden ever discovered that Ste and Star were one and the same, all her scheming would have been for nothing.


    The Novel will be updated first on this website. Come back and


    continue reading tomorrow, everyone!